DUPLEX, 56 ATTFIELD STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 54 & 56 Attfield Street, is a limestone, brick and iron double storey duplex pair dating from 1893. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of terrace houses in the Fremantle area. The place is a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Duplex, 54 & 56 Attfield Street is a double storey limestone, brick and iron terraced duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with rendered brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. Each duplex half has a front door and window to the ground floor and two pairs of french doors to the upper level. There is a double storey verandah with square timber posts, decorative timber brackets and frieze to the ground floor and square timber posts, decorative brackets and simple cross balustrade to the upper floor. A large brick chimney is evident to the rear of the duplexes. The terraced duplex pair is set well back from the front boundary line. There are low limestone walls and garden areas in front of the houses and brick paved driveway leading to single garages to the rear of the property of no. 56. No. 54 has a fibro and iron single garage to the front boundary, a low brick wall and a concrete driveway.

History

Duplex, 54-56 Attfield Street was formerly 60-62 Attfield Street. Numbers changed in 1935/36.
This duplex was built for the owners and occupants John Petrie and William Smart. Petrie and Smart were builders and together with Duncan Jardine owned and probably built several properties in the area. The rates books do not indicate which half was occupied by which owner.
Petrie, a carpenter and builder had arrived in the colony in 1886 from London with his wife and four children.
By 1896, the duplex had been transferred to John Bateman, a prominent local landowner and merchant. Bateman owned the duplex until 1920/21 and leased out the two sides of the duplex to various tenants, including William Smart.
The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this stone duplex half is exactly mirrored by the property at 54 Attfield Street. Each has verandahs at the front and rear except that the rear verandah of 54 Attfield Street is partially enclosed with timber. Each duplex half has a stone closet in the back yard.
In 1920/21, ownership of duplex was transferred to Eva Mary Hunter and the occupant was Charles Robert Hunter. Hunter was an inspector of lighthouses for the Commonwealth Navigation Department from 1915 to 1933. Eva Mary Hunter retained ownership of the duplex until the early 1940s.
In 1951/2, the place was owned by T.W. Stella and Y.S. Bodlovich and occupied by Frederick George Hansson.
A photograph of the place in c.1980 shows that the duplex was in relatively good condition with a corrugated iron roof and painted front façade. The original verandah structure and detailing were in evidence. It is apparent that the place was undergoing renovations at this time.
This place was included on the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80. (Classification red: Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.)

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.