HOUSE, 388 SOUTH TERRACE

Statement of Significance

House (fmr), 388 South Terrace, is a substantially modified single storey house dating from 1895 that has been converted for commercial use. It is a representation of changing demographics and commercial activity in the Fremantle area. The place has undergone significant alterations.

Physical Description

388 South Terrace is a single storey commercial building with a recent rendered masonry front that conceals an early cottage behind. The cottage has been significantly altered to covert it for use as a restaurant and its original configuration is difficult to ascertain. The original cottage can not be seen from the street.

History

South Terrace was formerly called Mandurah Road. It followed the line of ancient Aboriginal tracks and was the main entrance to Fremantle from the south. Mandurah Road used to continue south along the coast, but owing to shifting sand dunes, it was necessary to make a deviation to Douro Road and travel further inland.

By 1895, a cottage had been built on the property. In 1895, it was listed as owned and occupied by George Locke, a storeman. The address at this time was 222 Mandurah Road.

Between c. 1915 and c. 1935, the property was owned by Bernard Walkemeyer. He lived there until c. 1920, after which time it was occupied by Albert Pierce.

Theresa Karlson purchased the house c. 1935. Norman Snary and then Walter Swift lived in the house during her period of ownership, which lasted until c. 1950.

A diagram dated 1954 shows a brick house of roughly square plan form with a full length front verandah and asbestos extension down one side of the house. There was also an asbestos section at the rear of the house, as well as a laundry and brick room. There were several galvanised iron sheds in the backyard.

Stephen Del Rosso owned House, 388 South Terrace from c. 1950 to the late 1960s, when ownership changed to Christopher Del Rosso (senior). The house was rented to tenants for the majority of Stephen’s ownership. Christopher Del Rosso moved into the house when it was changed to his name and lived there until he sold it c. 1978. A photograph dating from this time shows a painted brick house with a corrugated iron roof.

The property has had a number of owners since the 1980s.

This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

The place was converted into a restaurant in the 1980s. At this time the building was extended to the front and sides and the significant fabric of the building was comprehensively changed.

Due to the extent of change and the limited contribution of the place to historic streetscape of South Terrace, on the 25 July 2019 Fremantle Council resolved to remove this place from the Heritage List and to modify the Municipal Heritage Inventory management category from Level 3 to Historic Record Only.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low

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.