DUPLEX, 18 SUFFOLK STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex 18 & 20 Suffolk Street, is a typical rendered masonry and iron single storey duplex pair dating from c. 1893. 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 18 & 20 Suffolk Street, is a single storey rendered masonry and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are rendered masonry. The roof is a separate hipped and half gabled roof over each duplex half with a dividing parapet wall and clad with corrugated iron. Each front facade has a front door flanked to one side by a double hung sash window. The front verandah is under a continuous corrugated iron roof supported by ionic columns. There is a low rendered brick wall to the front boundary line.

History

Suffolk Street is named after the English county, as per Norfolk and Essex Streets.

Duplex 18-20 Suffolk Street was formerly 22-24 Suffolk Street; the numbering changing in 1935/36. The numbering changed again in 1960-64. Thus 22 became 18 then 20, and 24 became 16 then 18.

The cottages were built as investment properties for partners McCleery and Josephson in 1893. They were part of a series of 6 cottages built in a row on Suffolk Street which were leased out to tenants.

The first tenants were David Letchford (collector) and Frederick McDonough (upholsterer). Later tenants had a variety of professions but many were related to the shipping industry for example lumpers, seamen and a harbour works supervisor.

By 1903 Abraham Josephson was the sole owner. Between 1908 and 1912, the former Premier and Attorney General of Western Australia, Walter Hartwell James, owned the cottages.

The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows that the two halves of the duplex were mirror images. Each had verandahs across the front of the buildings and a small verandah, a galvanised iron bathhouse and a weatherboard structure were built on the rear of the building. Across the front boundary and portion of the western boundary was a stone wall. This indicates the low wall at the front is original. In the back yard of the properties were brick earth closets.

The cottages were transferred to Robert Charles McKenzie in 1915 and he retained ownership until 1951. Later owners were G. Fiocco, Vincenzo La Rosa, Maria la Rosa, Nancy Fiocco and Rocco La Rosa.

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")
A photograph of the duplex taken in 1978 shows that the verandah pillars had been replaced prior to this date. A low brick wall was in evidence along the front boundary. The roof for the two cottages was in painted corrugated iron and appeared to be in poor condition.

A new carport was built in the rear of 18 Suffolk for an estimated cost of $80.

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.