St Alban's

Parent Place or Precinct

27310 Park Street Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance:
• As a good representative example of a well designed and detailed “gentleman’s villa” of Subiaco dating from the early twentieth century.
• For its aesthetic value as a good representative example of a well-designed Federation Queen Anne villa of the early twentieth century, designed to a style and scale suited to the professional/business classes.
• For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact group of early twentieth century houses.
• For its association with the rapid development of Subiaco in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

• Traditional largely symmetrical single storey Federation Queen Anne bungalow.
• Brick construction which has been rendered with painted stringcourses at sill level and door head height.
• Slightly off-centred projecting wing with roughcast render gable with timber detail, timber framed sash window with awning.
• Entrance to the east of the projecting wing with traditional timber and glazed door with side panels and fanlights.
• Hipped roof with vented gablets, separate raked roofs to the two flanking verandah/porch areas and gable roof to the projecting wing all clad with replacement corrugated metal sheeting.
• Side car port with similar design detail to the house.
• Garden enclosed by low brick wall with tall brick piers and palisade fencing/gates.

History

Subiaco's population increased significantly in the 1890s due to an economic depression in the eastern states and the discovery of gold in Western Australia. In the late 1890s, property developers bought large landholdings for subdivision in the Perth metropolitan area. The subdivisions were generally simple grid pattern developments with small lots for occupancy by working families. Subiaco was a popular and logical location for development and the increase in population and demand for services led to the proclamation of Subiaco as a municipality in 1897. The area that is now known as the ‘Subiaco Triangle Precinct’ attracted the construction of a range of dwellings, including timber cottages, semi-detached houses, two to three bedroom free-standing brick dwellings and substantial villas.
The subdivision plan for this portion of Barker Road was approved in 1896 but development did not accelerate until the 1900s. From the readily available information this residence was constructed c1902 for Edward Thomas Anderson Basan (c1872-1958). Basan designated his occupation as financier and advertisements in the local press show he was associated with the Perth Printing Press and was a money lender. Basan served on the Leederville Road Board. He was originally from Victoria where he married Mary Ann Petty (1868-1940) in 1896. There is no information on the builder or architect of this substantial villa. Basan engaged a gardener to establish a croquet lawn in 1906.
The couple relocated to Victoria in 1909 and sold the house and contents in November 1908. An advertisement for the auction describes the home 'St Albans' as 'a well built and well appointed brick residence' and the grounds were 'beautifully laid out in lawns, choice flower beds, croquet lawn, etc.' The name of the house St Albans may have been through an association with the Melbourne suburb of that name but that has not been established.
Subsequent occupants included accountant Isaac H Boas, and dyer Samuel Barber Nicoll who transferred the property to his son, Cyril Perth Nicholl (1906-1950) who lived there until his death in 1950.
A plan of the site prepared in 1927 and reviewed in 1955 for the purpose of planning sewerage and water supply services shows that the original footprint of the residence has approximately doubled. Aerial photographs of the place since the mid 20th century indicate that the most significant additions occurred in the late 1990s. The form and extent of the original residence can still be determined.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: the place remains in its original function as a residential dwelling.
Authenticity - High: The original external form and detailing of the original building is largely intact.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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.