FORMER HALL, 3 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Former Hall, 3 Pearse Street, is a stone, brick and iron former hall building dating from 1900. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is an unusual building style for the surrounding residential area of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a social meeting place for North Fremantle. The place demonstrates elements of the Federation Warehouse style of architecture.

Physical Description

Two storey stone, brick and iron former hall, now studio, with symmetrical facade designed with elements of the Federation Warehouse style of architecture. Walls are limestone with face brick quoins and reveals. Roof is gabled corrugated iron with no eaves. Front elevation is symmetrical with two semi circular windows and a central front door. There is a high level circular window with a circular and an arched contrasting rendered bands surrounding it. This elevation is a parapet gable end with timber louvers to the top section of the gable. The former hall is set forward with the edge of the building set on the front boundary line. The side elevation has arched openings with face brick quoining, reveals and shallow buttresses. There is a dormer window to the north. A brick and lattice is located to the north of the former hall set back from the front elevation.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street.

Many of the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation.

The limestone, brick and iron hall at 3 Pearse Street was built in 1900 as Albert Hall. It is speculated that it was named after Queen Victoria’s husband, Albert the Prince Consort. It has not been identified who owned the building at the time of construction although sources suggest that it was built by local landowner, Frederick Mason, for community purposes. The hall was used for a variety of purposes including; balls, boxing matches, church social activities, and the Scots Church also held services in the hall. It has also been claimed that it was used as a ‘Druid’s Church’. It also accommodated St Mary’s Church activities until 1904, when the Church built their own hall in Jewell Street.

In 1921, Vulcan Engineering Co. occupied the building and the following year, it was vacant. From 1923 to at least 1949 the place was used as a billiard room. In 1940, the place had a rear verandah and a galvanised iron addition at the rear of the building. The owners of the place from 1955 to 1961 were Unmack and Cullen and the occupier was Leonard H Arnott. During this period, the building was recorded in the Rate Books as a shed and dwelling. The building was connected to the mains sewerage system in 1958.

Between 1964 and 1968, the property was owned by Ivy and Leonard Arnott and occupied by Hugh O’Brien. In later years, the place was described as a storeroom (not a dwelling). From 1972 to 1986, Barry and Patricia Martin owned the place. In 1987, the place became known as the Pearse Street Pottery and was owned by Robert Cripwell. In 1993, new owners Paula and Walter Tolley undertook major additions to create a home, studio and gallery. works included the addition of a mezzanine floor, family dining room and laundry. The material used in the addition included salvage items from Fremantle buildings. In 2004, the place is used as a residence.

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) - PURPLE -of architectural and historic significance in its own right.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium to High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored).
Medium degree of authenticity with some alteration to the 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

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