DUPLEX, 22 MCLAREN STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 22-24 McLaren Street is a typical brick and tile single storey duplex pair dating from 1897. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of South Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the South Fremantle area. The place is a late simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

An attached duplex pair of single storey rendered masonry and tile houses. Roofs are hipped and tiled. Verandahs are under tiled roofs supported by round decorative rendered columns on square rendered masonry bases. There is a decorative rendered masonry low height wall with curved detailing between the columns. Each house has a single front door and a timber framed window to the front elevation. There are small gardens to the front of each house and a low level rendered masonry wall with the same detailing as the verandah wall to the front boundary.
Houses 2, 17 & 19 Lefroy Road & 22-24 McLaren have the same façade – the detailing to the verandah (columns supported on low wall) and the low wall to street frontage are identical.

History

McLaren Street was originally called Edward Street. The name was changed to Silas Street in 1901/902 in honour of William Silas Pearce, a local business identity. The street was renamed McLaren Street in 1931, this time in honour of F J McLaren, who was Mayor of Fremantle from 1912 to 1914.

Duplex, 22-24 McLaren Street was built between 1895 and 1900 for John Healy. The improvements were described as two cottages in 1900. Both were listed as being occupied by Walter Stott, an engine driver in 1900. By 1905/06, Thomas Normas owned the property. By this time, No. 22 was empty and No. 24 was occupied by Sydney Chamberlain. The property had changed hands again by 1909/10, at which time it was owned by George Spuir. Charles Gething owned the duplex from c. 1910 to c. 1920 and it was subsequently owned by William Henry Roach until 1949/50. It was sold to William Russell in that year, then to Margaret Noone c. 1960. Both cottages had a number of tenants during this time. William Russel moved into No. 22 after he bought the duplex. Henry and Annie Harrison were long-term residents of No. 24 (from c. 1925 to c. 1960).

A diagram dated 1954 shows the duplex as a mirror pair. Both were long and narrow cottages, with full length front verandahs and paths on either side of the front dividing fence. Verandahs were also located across the rear of the cottages and there were mirror galvanised iron laundry buildings and sheds in the back yards, which were divided by a fence.

Margaret Noone sold No. 24 to Helen Smith c. 1960. She lived in No. 22 until it was sold to Beatrice Ah Chee in 1976. No. 22 has had been owned by one family since Ms Ah Chee died c. 2000.

In 2004/04, No. 22 was listed as ‘semi-detached house’. No. 24 was listed as ‘vacant residential land’.

Houses 2, 17 & 19 Lefroy Road & 22-24 McLaren have the same façade – the detailing to the verandah (columns supported on low wall) and the low wall to street frontage are identical.

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.