DUPLEX, 91 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Duplex 91 - 93 Stirling Highway, is a typical stone and iron single storey duplex pair dating from the 1900s. 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 simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Duplex 91-93 Stirling Highway. Single storey stone and iron duplex with symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are rendered limestone. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. There is a dividing parapet wall between the two duplex halves which is visible above the roof line. Verandah is under separate tiled roof. Verandah is supported by timber posts with simple timber balustrades. Overall front elevation is symmetrical as is each duplex half. Each half having a central front door with two timber sash windows either side. The duplex is elevated above street level and there is a high limestone wall to the front boundary line.

History

The portion of Stirling Highway to the north of Queen Victoria Street was originally part of Perth Road. The area developed with mixed residential, commercial and industrial uses from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. The portion of Stirling Highway that runs between the Swan River and the junction with Queen Victoria Street was formerly called Bruce Street. It was named after Colonel Bruce, head of the Pensioner Guards. In the early days of North Fremantle’s development, the favoured residential area for settlement was slightly west of the North Fremantle oval and named ‘Brucetown’.

Settlement of North Fremantle began in earnest in the late 1890s and Bruce Street was characterised by a mix of building types. On the southern side of the street between Queen Victoria Street (formerly Perth Road) and Tydeman Road (formerly Pensioner Road and then John Street), the buildings were predominantly residential. Industrial use was more common on the northern side.

Stirling Bridge was constructed across the Swan River at the end of Bruce Street in 1974. As Bruce Street was now the major arterial link between the bridge and Stirling Highway, the street was widened and renamed as an extension of Stirling Highway.

In recent years, new high-density residential development of the areas adjacent to the river on either side of Stirling Highway has seen a significant change in the mix of buildings in the southern section of Stirling Highway. In 2004, the street continues to have a mix of residential, retail and industrial land use.

Duplex, 91-93 Stirling Highway was constructed c. 1910. By 1922, No. 93 was occupied by John Day and No. 95 occupied by William Day. Both five roomed brick houses were owned by E.N. Cameron. Cameron continued to own the rental properties until at least 1926. No. 91 was occupied by Jos Macdermott in 1919 and William Day in 1921-24.

A 1939 plan shows a brick duplex fully attached across the full width of two lots. Both duplex halves had full length front verandahs and enclosures to the rear in weatherboard. The back yard was divided by a fence, with outbuildings mirrored on each side of the fence.

By 1953, No. 93 was owned by A Turton and occupied by A.T. Noone. In the mid-1950s, the house was purchased by Giuseppe and Anna Ialacci, who continued to rent it out for a time, before selling it to Paolo Ialacci c. 1965. Paolo then moved into the house and retained ownership until the early 1980s. The property has had few owners since that time.

By 1993, the duplexes were used as a podiatric laboratory. In that year, an application was made to the City of Fremantle to convert the buildings to residential (No. 91) and office/storage (No. 93). The proposal also included the construction of a steel frame Colorbond carpet warehouse at the rear.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic materials).
Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original 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.