DUPLEX, 36 ATTFIELD STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street is a typical limestone, brick and iron / tile single storey elevated duplex pair dating from 1906/07. 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 Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street is a single storey limestone, brick and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. It is part of a group of six originally identical duplex cottages, all having subsequently undergone alterations to the front facade. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is gabled with a dividing parapet wall and clad with corrugated iron to no. 36 and tiles to no. 38. The gable ends have decorative timber detailing. The original corbelled chimney is intact to no. 36. The front facade to each duplex half has a front door with fanlight and a double hung sash window. The front verandahs are under a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof to no. 36 and a pitched tiled roof to no. 38. Both verandah roofs are supported by round steel posts. The duplexes are raised above the ground level at the front boundary and there are two separate sets of concrete steps leading up to the verandah level. No. 36 has a low level rendered and face brick wall to the front boundary with a grassed garden area behind. No 38 has a brick paved parking area and no boundary fence.

History

Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street was formerly 42-44 Attfield Street. Numbers changed in 1935/36.
Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street is one of three that was built in 1906/07 for Mary Ferres as an investment property. It is noted in some sources that the duplexes were built for the staff of the private home which subsequently became the Skye private hospital. The duplex was leased out to various tenants over the years. There is no occupant for 36 Attfield Street recorded in the first year of its existence. In 1908/09, Ernest Coverlid occupies this residence. Later occupants were Henry David Woodrow, William Scott, and Clarisa Ferres. This last is probably some relation to the owner.
The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this brick duplex is one of three duplexes built adjacent to each other at 36/38, 40/42 and 44/46. Their similarity of form suggests they were all built at the same time for the same owner and probably the same builder. The duplex have a simple rectangular form and each dwelling has a front and rear verandah. A pedestrian access way is located between the three dwellings. In the back yard of each dwelling was a brick closet. A stone wall is apparent on the front boundary and all the other boundaries are fenced.
By the mid-1940s the place was occupied by the Dobric family; Peter and Katherine Dobric and their children, Winsome and Elizabeth.
Photographic evidence from the 1940s shows that the stone duplex had tuckpointed brick quoining on a stone façade, turned verandah posts and balustrades. Decorative lace work was also present on the bullnosed verandah. Access stairs to the verandah were timber. A stone, masonry and timber fence was present on the front boundary with a cyclone mesh gate. A picket fence was on the side boundary and the back yard had a high timber fence. It is apparent that the back yard had an extensive vegetable garden.
A photograph of the place c.1980 shows the corrugated iron roof for the main building and verandah were still intact. The verandah balustrades, turned posts and decorative lacework had been replaced with metal posts. The front façade had been painted and the verandah floor and access stairs were concrete. The front fence had been modified although it appears the original stonework was still in place.
Information from 1995 indicates that the interior of the place had undergone renovations although the exterior was unchanged. The back yard had been enclosed to form a courtyard and off street parking.
By 2001, the front façade had not been substantially altered although the corrugated iron roof was replaced. The elevation facing the laneway was unpainted and the brick quoining is apparent on this elevation.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle")

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium to high degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining but with some alterations.
(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.