HOUSE, 45 ATTFIELD STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 45 Attfield Street, is a limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from c1895. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of an extended workers' house in the Fremantle area. The place is a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

45 Attfield Street is a single storey, limestone, brick and iron house with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The facade has a central front door with fanlight and sidelight flanked either side by double hung timber sash windows. The verandah has a separate hipped bullnose corrugated iron roof and is supported by square timber posts with decorative timber brackets. The verandah extends to the front boundary so the open timber verandah balustrading forms the front boundary fence. The brick chimneys have decorative render and corbelled details. The property was subdivided in 1993. An additional group dwelling was constructed between Nos 45 & 47.

History

House, 45 Attfield Street was formerly numbered 47 Attfield Street. Numbers changed in1935/36.
This house is one of a group of five houses that were built by Benjamin Shemelds or Godfrey Dixon in approximately 1895. The rates books do not distinguish where the buildings were on the lot. In 1898, the house was occupied by George Metcalf and in 1900 by George Nelson.
The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this brick cottage as a simple rectangular plan with a verandah across the full width of the front façade. At the rear of the building are a large timber addition and a smaller galvanised iron addition. A brick closet is located close to the rear of the house and a well is located in the back yard.
A photograph of the place c. 1980 shows that the cottage was in poor condition with but with most of its original features intact. It had a stone façade with brick quoins around the door and windows. The front verandah of corrugated iron was probably original. The verandah had been enclosed with a balustrade height timber panelling.
The place was restored in the early 1980s to a design by architect Brian Klopper who added an extension to the rear including a new kitchen, bathroom and living room with an attic. The balustrade enclosure was removed and a new open timber balustrade installed. At the same time as this renovation a new building was constructed at 45a Attfield Street by Brian Klopper which made use of a recycled brick.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Brown: "Positively contributing to the built environment")

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much 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.