108 Redfern Street

Parent Place or Precinct

26270 Sadlier and Redfern Street Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The Sadlier and Redfern Streets heritage area is of:
Aesthetic Value
• As an aesthetically pleasing streetscape with a strong identifiable character, featuring an avenue of mature street trees, which frame views of the largely Inter War residences.
• For its collection of many good, representative examples of Federation and Inter War cottages and villas which collectively illustrate a range and evolution of detailing between the 1920s and the 1940s.
• For the cohesive streetscape created by a limited palette of materials and styles.
Historic Value
• As a representative collection of houses that illustrate the scale and standard of housing for the homes of unskilled workers to semi-professional and tradespeople, in the early twentieth century.
• For the evidence it provides about the manner in which the residence of semi-professional and tradespeople existed alongside the residences of working people and employees.
• For its association with the subdivision and rapid settlement of the area from the 1920s to the 1930s which demonstrates the rapid change of the district in this period.
Representativeness
• As a good representative collection of early twentieth century housing developed within walking distance of transport and services.
Physical Form in the Public Realm
• The houses, which (with the exception of three modern dwellings) were developed predominantly in the period 1920s to 1940s, have largely retained their original external detailing and form. The defined period and nature of development has resulted in a consistent palette of materials and form, enlivened by diversity of individual details, within a cohesive streetscape.

Physical Description

Assessment constrained by limited visual access.
The residence is of red brick and features a dark brown tile roof, possibly concrete tile.
The plan form of the residence, roof form, the timber verandah and verandah details appear to be of original design. The visible timber sash window appears to be an original feature although other windows appear to be later additions of aluminium construction.

History

This portion of Redfern Street was subdivided for residential lots in 1893 by owners the NSW company, Intercolonial Investment Land and Building Company. However the lots were not taken up rapidly. In 1896, lots in the Redfern Estate, Subiaco were advertised in the local press as ‘Good Building Lots, near the railway line’. The subdivision was managed by Alfred Axon, the local branch manager for the Intercolonial Investment Land and Building Company. Axon was also a significant individual investor in Subiaco property.

The land on which this residence is located is approximately one and a half of the original subdivision lots. Lots 81, 82 and 83 were transferred to a NSW shopkeeper, Julius Hesse in 1896 and there is no indication that the lots were developed. In 1897, Lot 81 was transferred to Christina Purcell but was not developed. It is probable that Lot 81 and portion of lot 82 was acquired by Edward Evan in the early 1910s.

Despite the early subdivision and transactions it was not until the 1910s that the first lots were occupied in this portion of Subiaco. Analysis of Rate Books and PO Directories indicates that this place was likely constructed c.1915 and was one of the first in this area.
The Rate Books contain the following listings:
• 1916/17, 1918/19 Edward Evan (manager) owner/occupier
• 1929/30 Miss Evan – Owner & Benjamin Evan – (occupier)
• 1935/36 & 1936/37 Mrs E Evan (typist) – owner/occupier
The PO directories list the following occupants:
• 1916 – 1928 Evan, Edward
• 1929 – 1946 Evan, Benjamin F
• 1947 – 1949 Evans, Mrs Elsie

The above information indicates that the Evan family built the home and had a long association with the property.

Edward Matthew Evan (c1856-1926) was born in Wales and this residence was named ‘Glantawe’ in memory of his homeland. His occupation in the 1916 Electoral Roles was ‘manager’ and he lived at the residence with his wife Sarah Louisa Evan (c1860-1921). Edward Evan was the manager of the North Fremantle branch of Millars’ Timber and Trading Co Ltd. This firm was prominent in the development of the timber industry in Western Australia and the wider economy. Because of the prominence of the company and Edward Evan when Sarah Evan died in 1921, an obituary was included in the press, noting Sarah Evan’s contribution to the community through the Subiaco Church of Christ. Edward Evan stayed on in the house until his sudden death in 1926 and other family members continue to occupy the house into the 1950s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Dense planting in the front setback obscures views of the house from the street. What is visible of the building appears to have high authenticity although the roof cladding is not original.

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.