House

Parent Place or Precinct

27310 Park Street Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance:
• As a good representative example of the many 4-5 room brick homes which were built in Subiaco during the early twentieth century to meet the needs and aspirations of middle-class residents such as public servants, senior office workers, small business owners, skilled tradesmen and single/widowed women of private means.
• As a good representative example of the application of materials and detailing which were derived from the Federation Queen Anne style, but which were applied in a more restrained manner that suited the budgets and expectations of the middle classes in Subiaco during the early twentieth century.
• For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact streetscape of early twentieth century houses.
• For its association with the rapid development of Subiaco in the late 19th century.

Physical Description

• Single storey brick and iron Federation style residence with tuckpoint finish.
• Replacement roof and verandah canopy.
• Roughcast rendered gable with timbered detailing.
• Symmetrical façade with verandah across full width of front elevation.
• Some alterations but not overly detracting from original design intent.

History

While the Subiaco area was subdivided into Perth Suburban Lots in 1883 the population of the district had only risen to around 100 by 1895. In the mid 1890s the significant population growth that flowed from gold discoveries in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie placed increasing stress on the existing housing market in Perth. It was the opportunities that this provided for the owners of the large tracts of relatively undeveloped residential land in Subiaco that finally commenced the transformation of Subiaco from bush to suburb. In the early twentieth century the area that is now known as the ‘Subiaco Triangle Precinct’ attracted the construction of a range of dwellings, including timber cottages, semi-detached houses, two to three bedroom free-standing brick dwellings and substantial villas.
This residence is first recorded in the Post Office Directories in 1909, and is designated as 79 Bagot Road. It is therefore concluded the place was built c1908. No information detailing the architect or builder of this residence was found in this research.
The first occupants recorded were Edgar Alexander Simms (c1885-1942) and his wife Violet May, nee Jones (1887-1955). The couple married in 1907 and had two children whilst living at this residence, they divorced in 1914. Subsequent occupants of the property only stayed for short periods suggesting the place was an investment property.
In 1925, it was occupied by bootmaker Albert Edward James Hopgood (1872-1950) and his wife Mary, nee Manuel (1875-1957) and their four children. It is probable that Albert Hopgood purchased the property as the Hopgood family lived at the house until the late 1960s.
A sewerage plan of the property showing the outline of the building in 1954 shows it has not changed significantly since then apart from an extension of the skillion roof at the rear.
Aerial photographs from the mid 20th century show that the residence had a red corrugated iron roof until the late 1980s. It was at this time the place was extended to the rear and the roof clad with corrugated iron sheeting.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be occupied as a private residence.
Authenticity - High: The original external detailing of the building is largely intact and the place has been well maintained.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

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.