House

Parent Place or Precinct

26001 Chesters Subdivision Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance:
• As a good representative example of a well designed and detailed “gentleman’s villa” of Subiaco dating from the early 20th century.
• For its aesthetic value as a good representative example of a well-designed Federation Queen Anne villa of the early 20th century, designed to a style and scale suited to the professional/business classes.
• For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact group of early twentieth century houses.
• For its association with the ongoing development of Subiaco in the early 20th century and the small scale development by local builders of many residential properties, in this instance Thomas Green who built this residence as his family home

Physical Description

• Federation Queen Anne style villa.
• Brick construction with tuckpoint finish and two rendered bands at sill level and door head height.
• Asymmetric planning with a projecting wing to the street frontage and a further gable on an angle to the south east corner of the façade.
• Complex hipped and gabled roof with a classically inspired parapet wall around a flat section of roof above the entry with “Canberra” on the east side of the feature. The roof is clad with terracotta tiles.
• The projecting wing to Townshend Road has a roughcast render finish with plaster motif in the centre, a large sash window flanked by fixed pane sidelight with moulded sill.
• The angled gable to the south east corner is smaller with a roughcast finish and larger moulded plaster motif. The gable is above. Three section window similar to the main window.
• A faceted hipped verandah canopy extends around the full extent of the façade, clad with terracotta tile and supported on turned timber posts with a timber balustrade around the deck.
• The entrance is located to the south of the main projecting wing and faces south with a timber panelled door, side panel and fanlights.
• The garden is enclosed by timber picket fence.

History

James Chesters, an investor from Melbourne, purchased Perth Suburban Lots 249 to
252 in October 1891. In the following year he commenced selling residential lots in a
newly subdivided estate laid out as Deposited Plan 504 (extending across Perth
Suburban Lots 249 and 250).
Lots 188 to 192 were eventually acquired by a local builder, Thomas Green, who built
his own home on Lot 189 and Part Lots 188 & 190 (217 Townshend Road) in c.1913
(entered in the Rates Book under the name of Thomas’ wife, Sophia). The Green
family moved here from their previous home at 31 Townshend Road, and stayed until
1921, after which they relocated to another new home at 98 Heytesbury Road.
From 1922, the house was occupied by Evan and Maud Thomas and it remained the
Thomas family home until at least 1953. In a family notice dated 1928, the Thomas’
house was referred to as ‘Canberra’ (spelt ‘Cannberra’ on the original moulded nameplate to the house).
Occupants of the property from its time of construction until 1953 included:
• 1914-1921 Thomas James Roberts Green (Building Contractor)
• 1922-1953 Evan Thomas (Industrial Agent/Employers Advocate, Railways
Department)
When Thomas retired in 1946 the following outline of his career was published in the
newspaper:
Mr Thomas has been connected with industrial and arbitration
work in this State for many years. He came to W.A. from South
Wales in 1895, joined the Railway Department. He held many
positions, ranging from goods clerk to chief staff clerk, finally was
appointed industrial agent for the department. In that capacity he
represented the department in the Industrial and Arbitration
Courts. He also did a lot of industrial work for other Government
departments. In 1940, when Colonel Lamb went into the Army, Mr
Thomas was appointed to the vacancy on the Arbitration Court
Bench.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: the place remains in its original function as a residential dwelling.
Authenticity - High: The original external form and detailing of the building is largely intact

Condition

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