COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 237 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 237 Queen Victoria Street is a typical painted and rendered brick,single storey commercial shop dating from the1900s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical commercial building stock located within the commercial areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of commercial buildings in the North Fremantle area. The place is a late, simple example of the Victorian Regency style of architecture.

Physical Description

Commercial Building, 237 Queen Victoria Street is a single storey rendered and painted brick and iron commercial building designed in the Victorian Regency style of architecture, formerly comprising three tenancies. Each of the tenancies had traditional recessed shop entrances and protruding display windows. Simple pilasters separate the building form into its individual shops on the facade. These are continued through the banded stucco moulding and the simply detailed parapet.

History

Queen Victoria Street developed from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. Initially called Perth Road, the street has had a number of names over the years: Victoria Avenue (c.1907-c. 1937), Stirling Highway (c. 1937 to c. 1976) and Queen Victoria Street (c. 1976 on).

The area bounded by Queen Victoria Street, Stirling Highway (previously Bruce Street) and John Street was the commercial and social centre of North Fremantle, where public buildings such as the town hall, police station and post office were located. Also in this vicinity were the pubs and wine bars, butchers, bakers, grocers, haberdashery and barbers shops that catered for the needs of the local community. Queen Victoria Street continues to be North Fremantle’s main commercial precinct in North Fremantle.

A single storey brick and iron commercial building comprising three tenancies at 237 Queen Victoria Street (previously 33-37 Victoria Avenue and 33-37 Stirling Highway) was constructed between 1904 and 1913. The land was part of a large holding along Queen Victoria Street owned by Kathleen Kenny.

A plan dated 1940 shows a brick building with no set-back from the street, with various brick and corrugated iron outbuildings to the rear. Each of the tenancies had traditional shop entrances.

In 1924, the shops were occupied by Harris and Dedman, butchers, William Jeffries, a bootmaker, John Pope, and Mrs Ellen Worth’s tearooms. The tenancies remained the same in 1935 (though A Lopes had taken over Jeffries’ bootmaking business). In 1945, G T Dedman remained at number 33, number 35 was vacant, and George Powell operated refreshment rooms from number 37. (Powell also had refreshment rooms at number 55 Stirling Highway at this time).

This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

In the 1970s through to c1990 the place was ‘The Stoned Crow’. It had a bar called Mojos. It is currently (2016) popular live music venue Mojo’s Bar & Cafe.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate to high degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some loss of fabric and previous unsympathetic alterations).
Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.Some loss of fabric.
(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.