DUPLEX, 47 ATTFIELD STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 47 & 49 Attfield Street, is a limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from c.1880s – 1890s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of an extended workers' house in the Fremantle area. The place is a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

47 & 49 Attfield Street are a single storey limestone, brick and iron duplex pair with an 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 with a dividing parapet wall and clad with corrugated iron. The front facade to no. 47 has a central front door flanked each side by double hung sash windows. No. 49 has a smaller front facade with a front door and one double hung sash window. There is a continuous verandah roof that runs in front of both duplex halves. The roof to the verandah is a corrugated iron bullnose supported on square timber posts. The verandah extends to the front boundary so the open timber verandah balustrading forms the front boundary fence. There are corbelled brick chimneys.

History

Duplex, 47 Attfield Street was formerly 53 Attfield Street, part of a duplex which was formerly numbered 53/55 Attfield Street. Numbers changed in1935/36.
This house was built in 1885 for architect, surveyor and carpenter John McNeece who designed many of the Fremantle buildings of the 1890s and early 1900s. McNeece designed and built this duplex and the adjacent property on Wray Avenue at the same time.
The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows an unusual angled plan form although the overall plan of the duplex is rectangular. The dividing wall between the two is on an angle, creating two dwellings of an irregular shape. Duplex, 47 Attfield Street has half of the shared verandah and a verandah at the rear of the property. There is a timber shed in the back yard and a galvanised iron closet.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Purple: "Of architectural and historic significance in its own right")
In 1993, the duplex was restored and extended to designs by architect Brian Klopper. The duplex was reroofed and a new balustrade constructed on the front verandah. Internally the bathroom and kitchen were modified.

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.