DUPLEX, 17 BURNS STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

01563 Twelve houses

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 15-17 Burns Street is a typical weatherboard and iron single storey cottage duplex 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. It is 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. There are associations with an eminent chemist who gave his name to a memorial medal awarded each year.

Physical Description

Duplex, 15-17 Burns Street is a single storey weatherboard and iron duplex pair with overall symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Walls are timber framed and weatherboard clad. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves and a dividing parapet wall. The verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof. The verandahs are supported by square timber posts. Front elevation is symmetrical with a timber sash window and a front door to each side. No. 17 has a decorative iron valance to the verandah roof. There is a timber picket boundary fence. There appears to be a later extension to the rear of the property at No 17.

History

Burns Street is a narrow residential street that bisects the triangle defined by Stirling Highway, Queen Victoria Street and the Swan River. The portion south of Tydeman Road was constructed in the 1990s and took its name from the existing road north of Tydeman Road. This section of Burns Street was originally part of a six-acre landholding (Lots 18 and 19) held by Mrs Andrew Burns in 1895. The land was subdivided for residential settlement in 1896 and Burns Road was gazetted the same year in honour of the original land owner. Although the street was still not constructed, buildings were present on the site in 1897. The street first appears on a map dated circa 1906.
Buildings constructed in Burns Street were single storey basic homes of brick, stone or weatherboard for people who worked in the vicinity. Many of the houses in Burns Street were investment properties leased to tenants. In 2004, Burns Street continues to be a residential street and the modest workers cottages are the dominant buildings in the street. At the north eastern end of Burns Street is the former ‘Weeties’ factory (which faces Harvest Road), a source of employment for local residents for many years.
The weatherboard Duplex 15-17 Burns Street was built between 1904 and 1907 for an unidentified owner. In 1921, Eleanor Webster, the widow of local chemist Alfred Edwin Webster who was active in promoting his profession and local politics, owned both properties. Eleanor Webster leased the two cottages to tenants until 1960. The properties were jointly sold at that time to the first in series of owners, several of them companies. The properties were jointly owned until the 1980s, when each cottage was transferred to individual owner-occupiers.
By 1940, number 15 had a slightly larger floor area than its neighbour, with an additional room at the rear of the property. An application was received in 1979 to demolish the duplex and build two warehouse buildings. This application was refused. In 1987, the rear skillion roof of number 17 was re-pitched and a new living room was added. In 1993, an additional storey was added to the rear of number 17 creating a new kitchen, family room, bedrooms and wet areas. The property was strata titled at this time.
This place was 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. It was also included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability,not 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 fair (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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