DUPLEX, 29 ARUNDEL STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 29-31 Arundel Street is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from 1888. 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, 29-31 Arundel Street is a single storey limestone and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with painted brick quoins. The roof is hipped with no dividing wall and clad with corrugated iron. The front verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof supported by square timber posts. The building is set above the street level with a set of steps leading up to each verandah. Each duplex half has a rendered corbelled chimney.

History

There are two possible reasons for the naming of Arundel St. Edward George Fitzalan Howard, First Baron Howard of Glossop, 2nd son of the 13th Duke of Norfolk, was MP for Arundel in England from 1853-1868. Howard St joins Arundel St, both possibly named for him. The Surveyor Charles Wedge was employed by the Municipality in 1875. His wife was Frances Bethia (Fanny), nee Wrighte, and her father was Arundel Wrighte, a pioneer of Box Hill, Victoria.
Duplex, 29-31 Arundel Street was formerly - 11 Arundel Street; numbering changed in 1935/36. 29 Arundel was No. 9 31 Arundel Street was No. 11.
Duplex, 29-31 Arundel Street was built in 1888 for local merchant, John Bateman who was the founder of the firm J. W. Bateman and Sons which operated an import and export business. Bateman lived in the cottage in 1889 but leased out the cottage in the following years. Tenants included; 1890 Alfred Rosser (auctioneer) and Mrs Finnerty (widow); 1891 James Graham (boarding House keeper); 1892 James Graham (boarding House keeper) and Hall (railway employee); 1899 James McKinnis, Mrs and Miss Hall, Henry and Delia Carr; 1900 James McKinnis, Henry Glance, James Smith, Walter Goodwin, Miss Bowden; 1901 James McKinnis, Henry Glance, Miss D. Chandller; 1902-3 James McKinnis (stevedore) and Harry Cooper Peckham (wool sorter); 1914-1918 Joseph Lowther and William Ratcliffe.
In approximately 1922-23 the property was transferred to William and Maud Ratcliffe who occupied 9 Arundel Street. The other half was occupied by Elizabeth Callison in 1922-23; Mrs Edith Oram 1924 -1933. In 1934-35 the place was transferred to Natalie Raffaele who occupied 9 Arundel Street and leased out the other half of the duplex to Rosina Parnell in 1934-35, Mrs Beatrice Portelli 1936-1942 and David Ridgeway 1944-1949
In the 1960s the place was purchased by the Sgro family who operated their business, Oceanic Trading Exchange, and also owned the house and warehouse at 25 and 27 Arundel Street. The duplex 29-31 Arundel Street was then used as warehouse space and offices for the business which operating a home delivery service of fresh and imported foods to the local Italian community.
A photograph of the place c.1980 shows that the duplex adjoining the property boundary of 27 Arundel Street. In 1994, the properties at 25, 27, 29 and 31, owned by the Sgro family were sold. The duplex was sold again in 1997.
In 1998, plans prepared by architect Keith Cameron Browne were submitted to the City of Fremantle for the restoration of this duplex for the owner at that time, Colin Clarke. The restoration included the addition of rooms to the rear of the property, a new roof, conversion of a former warehouse at the rear of the property to a studio apartment and the removal of the existing front verandah roof. The verandah was reinstated with a new roof and timber balustrades replacing the former brick half wall and concrete pillars.
The successful restoration of the cottage was recognised by the City of Fremantle with a Heritage Award in 2000.

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.