HOUSE, 2 MCLAREN STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 2 McLaren Street, is an unusual rendered masonry and iron single storey house constructed at the back of commercial premises, dating from 1903. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the South Fremantle area.

Physical Description

Single storey rendered masonry and iron cottage with an asymmetrical facade constructed c1903. The walls are painted and rendered masonry. The roof is hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. A diagram dated 1954 shows House, 2 McLaren Street as a small brick house built to the street frontage. Built to the rear of commercial buildings on South Terrace, the house had a very unusual plan form for South Fremantle at this time. The front facade is asymmetrical with two windows and no door or verandah. There is a rendered corbelled brick chimney.
In 2000, House, 2 McLaren Street had been subdivided into four units.

History

McLaren Street was originally called Edward Street. The name was changed to Silas Street in 1901/902 in honour of William Silas Pearce, a local business identity. The street was renamed McLaren Street in 1931, this time in honour of F J McLaren, who was Mayor of Fremantle from 1912 to 1914.

Between 1900 and 1905, a ‘shop and rooms’ was built in Silas Street. It appears that the building comprised three discreet areas, numbered 194, 196 and 198 Silas Street. Each was in separate ownership in 1905/06. No. 194 was owned by R A Dean and occupied by George Smith, a grocer. No. 196, owned by S M Shah, was empty. John Mallie, a grocer, occupied No. 198, owned by S A Shah.

In 1909/10, W Moore owned all three shops. In this year, No. 194 was vacant, Olive Butterfield occupied No. 196 and Grace Kwiass was in No. 198.

In 1914/15, the improvements on the property were described as a ‘cottage’ owned by Francis Pentong (later spelt Frances Pentony) and Patrick Murphy, and occupied by Bernard Moebus. Fred Ironstone bought the property in 1920/21 and it was a rental property until Ironstone’s death c. 1935. House, 2 McLaren Street was then owned by Millicent Davey until c. 1945 and continued to be a rental property.

A diagram dated 1954 shows House, 2 McLaren Street as a small brick house built to the street frontage. Built to the rear of commercial buildings on South Terrace, the house had a very unusual plan form for South Fremantle at this time.

George Jakicevich owned the house in 1949/50 and Serafina De Indicibus was the owner between c. 1952 and the early 1960s. House, 2 McLaren Street was subsequently owned by Bruno Spadaro until c. 1991.

By 2000, House, 2 McLaren Street had been subdivided into four units.

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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low to Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Low to Medium degree of authenticity with some 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.