Atkins Residence, Northbridge

Parent Place or Precinct

15858 Northbridge Precinct

Values

• The place is a well-constructed example of a residential building dating from the turn of the century, during the period of economic prosperity following the gold rushes.
• The place contributes positively to the streetscape and the general visual quality of its location.
• The place is representative as a residential property in Perth dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. The place represents the changing character of the Perth community from the post gold rush settlement to the period of settlement by various ethnic communities to the present, dominantly commercial use of the area.
• The use of granite is somewhat rare in the Perth Metropolitan area.

Physical Description

Eleni House is a two-level granite brick and iron former residence. The lower level is a basement with the upper level set half a floor above the street. The basement level is constructed of pointed granite ashlar with rendered quoins. Both levels have a verandah on their western fronts. The building itself addresses the street principally on the west with a central masonry external stair and gable bay window projecting to the north side. Elements of turned joinery remain.

History

Before the Gold rush period of the 1890s, the Northbridge area mainly consisted of market gardening land use with a few workers cottages up until the 1880s.However, with the push from farmers to drain more land and provide more roads for more effective market gardening, combined with the opening of the Guilford to Fremantle railway in the late 1880s the area north of the city gradually became more attractive to businesses and property investors.
It was not until the huge economic growth and population increase due to the gold discoveries in the Murchison and then Kalgoorlie regions that lead to the redevelopment of the Northbridge area. The increased demand for accommodation close to the city sparked a significant increase in land purchase and subdivision by property speculators. Property owners developed residential and commercial properties often for rental purposes.
The resulting area was a mixture of land use and social class. Tradespeople, shopkeepers, workers and the upper class, all occupied Northbridge. There was a large variety of commercial and light industry such as grocers, butchers, chemists, laundries, bakeries, cabinetmakers and stables. Most residences were modest, although there were a few grander homes, often built for the property owners themselves.
With the opening of the tram in 1899 in Perth wealthy residents moved to the new suburbs leaving the Northbridge area home to residents of lower socio-economic status, often migrants. In later years the area continued to attract migrants, with many of these continuing to establish commercial enterprises.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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