Throssell House, Perth

Statement of Significance

Throssell House is a fine and unique example of a private residence in the Federation Arts and Crafts style. It is located in a prestigious location overlooking Hyde Park. Its unique appearance and belvedere make it a landmark in the area. It has associations with George Throssell, a member of the Forrest Government, one time Premier of Western Australia, prominent businessman and Northam identity.

Physical Description

A substantial single storey residence with a complex roof form which includes a recently reinstated belvedere. The front of the house is of limestone while the sides and rear are of brick. The broken pitch verandah is supported by turned timber posts and a timber balustrade. A short flight of steps leads up to the verandah under a gabled entry feature. The roof gable ends are half timbered and infilled with roughcast. The tiled roof is capped with decorative ridge tiles. The original paneled front door features stained glass. The windows are surrounded by quoin detailing. Side windows have pressed metal awnings. The dwelling is elevated above a front garden setting behind a pillar and palisade fence. Side carport

History

Throssell Street was named after George Throssell who owned Town Lots Y285 and Y286 from at least 1877. These lots, which were situated between Third Swamp (Hyde Park) and Vincent, Fitzgerald and Glendower Streets, were subdivided during Throssell's ownership. Throssell, who was born on 13 May 1840 in Ireland, came to Australia at the age of 10 with his father. He was educated at Perth Public School and joined the staff of Padbury & Fermaner (later Padbury, Loton & Co). In 1861, he established his own business in Northam, and was active there in public affairs, being elected to the Northam Municipal Council and serving as Chairman and Mayor. He married Anne Morrell of Northam. In 1890, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly for Northam, and in 1897 was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands in the Forrest Government. In 1901, when John Forrest resigned to enter Federal Parliament, George Throssell was appointed Premier and Treasurer on 15 February. He served only three months, failing to win support at the election in April 1901. He continued as MLA for Northam until 1904, and was elected to the Legislative Council for East Province in 1907. He died in Northam on 30 August 1910. The house at No. 15 was designed by architect George W. McMullen for Richard Sparrow circa 1901 and originally named 'Wedderburn'. George McMullen had arrived in WA from Victoria in the early 1890s. He initially worked in the Architectural Branch of the Public Works Department (PWD) and began in private practice around 1899. He also designed at least three other residences in the Town of Vincent at No. 127 Lincoln Street, Highgate in 1905. Street numbers were not allocated for Throssell Street in Wise's Post Office Directories until 1908 but Richard Sparrow's name appeared from 1904 onwards when five other households were also listed. Sparrow was a widely respected attorney in Perth, who specialised in patents and new machinery, in particular. From 1893 he had offices in St George's Terrace, Perth and from 1897 to the early 1930s in the Austral Chambers in Barrack Street. He also owned shops at 515-517 Beaufort Street, which were built in 1903-04. Richard Sparrow and his sister Marian both lived at the property and it was her name that appeared on the title until 1935. The family subdivided Lot 17 and part of Lot 18 in 1924 and the land was purchased by Frances Stevens. This became No. 11 Throssell Street and contained a well which was believed to have been used by No. 15. In 1930 the Directories listed both the Sparrows and Miss C. Waltham as occupants, indicating that it may have been divided into two residences. In 1935 the title was transferred to Richard and his sister died three years later in 1938. Richard retired around 1938/39 and when he died on 15 May 1941 he was still residing at No. 15. At the time of his death he was a member of the St John No.2 WAC, Freemason's Lodge and the Royal Park Bowling Club. The house was then purchased by Christabel Winifred Waltham and she and Mrs Constance Rose Waltham lived there until 1948. It was then bought by the Schlam family. Leopold Schlam died in 1952 but the family remained there until 1958. In 1949, the last year of the Directories, the resident was Walter Breitbarth who appears to have also been residing there, indicating that the house was still subdivided. They were there until at least the early 1950s. Alice's occupation was given as 'dealer' and Walter's as 'slipper maker'. In 1958 the house was purchased by Mrs Barbara Elsie Rumney, a widow. She resided there until at least 1961 and it may have been rented for a period after that. Between 1980 and 1982 it changed hands twice and then Robert Thomas and Lesley-Anne Mains owned it from 1982 to 1989. It was during this time (1980) that a swimming pool, sauna and pool shed were erected and possibly it was at this time that the original outbuildings were demolished. In October 1989 it was sold to Ricardo and Concettina Cazzolli who remained in residence until 1999. Several alterations occurred during this time, which included the addition of a belvedere and changes to the loft space incorporating a bedroom, bathroom, etc. and a staircase, which were designed by Ian Molyneau, a Fremantle architect. A carport and possibly the wine cellar were added in 1990. Julie and Quentin Summers purchased the property in 1999 and they were still in residence when it was entered on the Heritage Council's Register of Heritage Places in 2005. They advertised for sale in 2005 for $1.675m.

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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.