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 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 group of early twentieth century houses.
• For its association with the rapid development of Subiaco in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

• Federation Queen Anne bungalow.
• Asymmetric stepped plan form with projecting gabled wing.
• Hipped roof clad with corrugated metal sheeting with tall brick chimneys.
• Brick construction which has been rendered obscuring the original finish to the place.
• Roughcast rendered gable with decorative central plaster moulding.
• Timber framed sash windows with window awning with corrugated metal sheeting, supported in timber brackets with decorative frieze, moulded sill.
• The verandah extends across the remainder of the façade with skillion roof supported on turned timber brackets and has a baluster frieze and carved timber brackets.
• French windows in the third section of the façade.
• Main entrance abuts the projecting wing.
• Garden enclosed by timber picket style fence.

History

The following extract has been taken from the Heritage Assessment of the Chesters Subdivision Heritage Area, Greenward Consulting, August 2014.
James Chesters, an investor from Melbourne, purchased Perth Suburban Lots 249 to 252 in October 1891. In the same month he commenced selling residential lots in a newly subdivided estate laid out as Deposited Plan 366 (extending across Perth Suburban Lots 251 and 252). However, no development took place on Lot 87 until a house was constructed in c.1916.
The new house was entered in the Rates Book under the name of Alfred Berry, and was immediately advertised for rent:
Attractive new Brick VILLA, 5 rooms, all conveniences, front and back verandahs.
Numerous changes in occupancy suggest that it was, at least in part, used as a rental property until the mid-twentieth century.
Occupants of the property from its time of construction until 1957 included:
• 1917 James Henry Harris (Mine Manager)
• 1918 Henry Nelson Williams (Draper)
• 1920-1928 William R Endersbee (Retired)
• 1929 Mrs Pemberton
• 1930-1932 Reginald Morton Lomax (Insurance Agent)
A plan of the site prepared in 1927 and revised in 1955 for the purpose of planning sewerage and water supply services shows that the place has been extended to the rear which has removed a number of small structures on the northern property boundary. Aerial photographs confirm that the additions were undertaken largely in the 1980s and the form and extent of the original building can still be determined.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be used as a private residence.
Authenticity - Medium to High as the main facade has been reduced by the painting of the
original tuck-pointed face brickwork.

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

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.