COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 231-233 SOUTH TERRACE

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 231-233 South Terrace, is a typical rendered masonry, double storey group of commercial shops dating from c 1896. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of a commercial building in the Fremantle area.

Physical Description

231-233 South Terrace is a double storey rendered masonry group of attached terraced shops constructed in 1896. The walls are rendered masonry. The roof is located behind a simple rendered masonry parapet. There are recessed entries and rendered masonry upstands to the shop fronts. The upper section of the building has original double hung sash windows. A corrugated iron verandah runs across the front of the shops supported by timber posts. The building is located on the front boundary line with a footpath in front.

History

Commercial Building, 231-233 South Terrace was built c. 1896 for Samson Henville, who also owned the shops at 227-229 South Terrace. In 1897, the rate book recorded a shop and three rooms, a cottage of three rooms and another cottage of three rooms with a shop on the lot. They were occupied by Frank Nichols, a dealer, Samson Henville, a contractor and Mr Hoyle, a storekeeper. With some changes in tenancy, this remained the situation until c. 1911.

The 1912/13 rate book records a ‘shop and room’ and ‘shop and cottage’ (ie two entries) at 231 and 233 South Terrace, owned by Stanley Smith. Mr Smith remained the owner until c. 1950 and by 1931, the rate books were recording the property as two shops only. It is assumed that the current form of the building dates from this time. After the property was bought by the News family (c. 1950), it was listed in the rate book as ‘shop and residence’.

A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated 1955 shows a large brick shop extending the width of the lot. The shop had two small recessed entries and an awning overhanding the footpath. At the rear, there was a galvanised iron extension that was joined to a large galvanised iron ‘fruit mart’ at the back of the lot by a large verandah.

At some stage, the property had been converted for use by the Fremantle Full Gospel Fellowship (known as the Christian City Church). The Fellowship had a large area on the ground floor (church), offices, kitchen and store on the ground floor with a church hall above.

This place was included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

By 1993, the façade of the building had been altered considerably, including the removal of all verandahs and awnings. At the ground floor level, the façade was brick. All window and door openings had been changed to aluminium.

By 1996, the property had been sold by the church and restored by Sydney and South. Exterior work included the reinstatement of a timber and iron verandah, the shop fronts and all window and door openings were returned to timber. The work was completed under the direction of architect Ian Scott, and was nominated for a Fremantle Award for heritage conservation.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.