House

Parent Place or Precinct

26001 Chesters Subdivision Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance:
• As a good representative example of the many 4-5 room brick homes which were built in Subiaco during the early twentieth century to meet the needs and aspirations of middle-class residents such as public servants, senior office workers, small business owners, skilled tradesmen and single/widowed women of private means.
• As a good representative example of the application of materials and detailing which were derived from the Federation Queen Anne style, but which were applied in a more restrained manner that suited the budgets and expectations of the middle classes in Subiaco during the early twentieth century.
• 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

• Federation Queen Anne style house.
• Brick construction with tuckpoint finish and stringcourse band at sill level.
• Stepped asymmetric plan form with projecting wing with overhanging gable.
• Gable has roughcast render finish with timber batten detail and eaves brackets. A pair of timber framed 1-over-1 sash windows are positioned under the gable with moulded sills.
• Hipped and gabled roof clad with corrugated metal sheeting, brick and render chimneys with terracotta style honey pot flues.
• Bullnose verandah canopy extends across the stepped façade, supported on turned timber posts with simple timber frieze and carved timber brackets.
• The main entrance is situated in the second section of the façade with a traditional arrangement, French windows to the third section of the façade.
• The garden is enclosed by timber picket fence.

History

The following extract has been taken from the Heritage Assessment of the Southern
End of Subiaco's Triangle Precinct, Greenward Consulting, August 2018.
James Chesters, an investor from Melbourne, purchased Perth Suburban Lots 249 to
252 in October 1891. In the same month he commenced selling residential lots in a
newly subdivided estate laid out as Deposited Plan 366 (extending across Perth
Suburban Lots 251 and 252). No development took place on Lot 68 until a house was
constructed in c.1912 and entered in the Rates Book under the name of John Thomas
Keane (Engineer). This was offered for short term rent in 1912 and then for sale in
1913:
Nice Furnished HOUSE to Let for 2 months from middle of
December, 3 bedrooms, dining-room, drawing-room, piano, and all conveniences. E.L., situated 71 Salisbury street, minutes from tram, 8 minutes from train. (1912)
And
High position, close to tram and park, 6 roomed Brick Villa, £630. (1913)
In 1914-15 it was occupied by another man by the name of Keane, before being once again offered for sale in 1916:
GAWTHORPE, "The Live Wire”, has been favoured with instructions from J. O. Keane, Esq., who is leaving for the Murchison, to SELL his well appointed Home of 6 rooms and all conveniences, return verandah, near tram and King's Park, on which easy terms can be arranged, together with the whole of the Household Furniture and Effects.
The place then had a series of relatively short-term occupants until 1928, when it became the long-term family home of Alexander and Emma McMahon, who relocated from Boulder at about that time. The house is somewhat grand for a labourer (which was Alexander’s stated occupation in Perth), and it is at least possible (but not verified) that success in his previous occupation as a miner in the Western Australian goldfields had financed his moved to Perth.
Occupants of the property from its time of construction until 1949 included:
• 1912-13 unknown
• 1914-1915 James P Keane
• 1916 Edward R Browne-Cooper (Music Teacher)
• 1917 William J McLean
• 1918-1922 Stanley Phipps Osborne (Salesman)
• 1924 Mr Hood
• 1925-1927 Frank George Rogers (Traveller)
• 1928-1962 Alexander Phillip McMahon (Labourer, former Miner)
• To post 1976 Emma Jane McMahon (Widow)

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be used as a private residence.
Authenticity - High: The original external detailing of the building is largely intact and/or sympathetically restored/extended, and the place has been well maintained.

Condition

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

Uses

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.