HOUSE (DEMOLISHED AND RECONSTRUCTED), 14 AINSLIE ROAD

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

House, 14 Ainslie Road, is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage dating from the 1900s. Notwithstanding its reconstruction in 1995, the place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a very late simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Records indicate: application for additions in 1994, but property illegally demolished by owner/architect in 1995. The cottage was reconstructed in 1996.
House, 14 Ainslie Road, is a reconstruction of the original single storey weatherboard and iron cottage with symmetrical facade designed as a very late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture (with two storey addition to rear). Walls are timber framed clad with weatherboards. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof, supported by timber posts. The front elevation is symmetrical with two timber sash windows and a central front door. The verandah is slightly above ground level and has two concrete steps. There is a timber picket fence to the front boundary.
A two storey section is behind the single storey reconstructed cottage. It has Colorbond walls and aluminium windows.

History

Ainslie Road appears in Fremantle Rate Books from the 1890s as a street of unimproved lots. Although a 1904 Water Supply map indicates there were no buildings on the street at this time, Post Office Directories list a number of residents, suggesting a tent settlement prior to the construction of permanent dwellings. Ainslie Street was gazetted a public highway in 1905. Development followed relatively quickly, and by the interwar period the short street was mostly developed with modest residences. Following World War Two, a number of residences in the street were purchased by the State Housing Authority, particularly towards the eastern end.

The extant residence at 14 Ainslie Road is a c.1995 reconstruction of an original c.1921 four-room timber cottage. The original cottage was constructed for Hon Gilbert Fraser MLC, who lived at the house until 1942. The rear lean-to was constructed some time after 1942. Following Fraser’s departure, the place was owned by Edward Elgar Mofflin to his death in 1958, and subsequently by his widow Beryl Mofflin until 1993. New owners in the 1990s demolished the house, erecting a rebuilt version in its place.

The original house 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.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored when reconstructed, some loss of fabric and large rear extension).
Low to Moderate degree of authenticity with some loss of fabric in reconstruction process.
(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.