Mirrojen, Barker Rd, Subiaco

Parent Place or Precinct

27310 Park Street Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

For information on the significance of the Park Street Heritage Area refer to the Local Planning Policy for the Heritage Area.

Physical Description

Architectural style
The original style of 145 Barker Road has been obscured by modern alterations and additions
Surviving traditional details
The only external detailing that still relates to the original design of this house is located under the east facing front verandah (largely screened from public view by shade cloth and garden planting). This façade retains its symmetrical layout with a central door flanked by shallow rectangular window bays. Oblique views from the footpath suggest that the original entry retains a 5 panel door, moulded architraves, highlight and sidelights. Each of the window bays features two narrow double-hung windows set over a simple projecting sill and a decorative under sill panel. The wall had been fully rendered, concealing the original materials and finishes, and the verandah has been fully replaced to match the style of the modern development.

History

Subiaco's population increased significantly in the 1890s due to an economic depression in the eastern states and the discovery of gold in Western Australia. During the 1890s property developers bought large landholdings for subdivision in the Perth metropolitan area. The original subdivisions in Subiaco were generally simple grid pattern developments with small lots suitable for occupancy by working families. However, the more elevated parts of the suburb, particularly towards Kings Park, also attracted business and professional men and some lots were later amalgamated to accommodate their larger homes and gardens. Mixed development occurred and within the Park Street Heritage Area this ranged from narrow, single storey terrace housing through to a large 2-storey house set in spacious grounds. The readily available evidence indicates that the number of houses within this area increased from around 24 in 1901 to 72 in 1906; 86 in 1910; 91 in 1915, 94 in 1920 and 13 by 1925. Development then stabilised, with 106 houses and 1 block of flats identified in 1949.
Perth Suburban Lots 218 and 219 were subdivided as Deposited Plan 214 in the early 1890s. This comprised 52 lots and 145 Barker Road was laid out as Lot 1 within this subdivision.
This property was first listed in the Post Office Directories in 1909, when it was identified as an un-numbered house along Olive Street, located at the corner of Barker Road and occupied by the Gluck family. The location of the house is confirmed by entries in the Subiaco Rate Books of 1908-1909, which identify Albert Gluck as the owner/occupier of a house on Lot 1. From 1914, it was listed in the Post Office Directories under Barker Road (#145).
The first occupants were Albert Gluck (c.1854-1911), his wife Harriett (c.1856-1926), and some of their children, who named the house 'Mirrojen'. Albert and Harriett were married in England in c.1881 and migrated to Australia in the early-mid 1890s. By the late 1890s, Albert was a fruiterer and eating house proprietor of Hay Street, Perth, but had changed his trade to fancy goods merchant by January 1910, at which time he was facing bankruptcy proceedings. The family continued to own the property until at least 1917-1918, but rented it out from c. 1915.
145 Barker Road had a high turn-over of occupants until the mid-1930s, which suggests that it was primarily used as a rental property. A review of the Post Office Directories at 5-yearly intervals (together with reference to contemporary Electoral Rolls) indicates that some of the primary residents during this period included:
 1915: Isaac Herbert Boas (lecturer)
 1920: Harold Hugh Grenfell (salesman)
 1925: Ernest John Coombe (traveller)
 1930: Patrick Ryan (bootmaker)
In the Rate Books of 1929-1930 the owner was identified as ‘W Clough’.
By 1934, the house had been occupied by Fanny Ellen Jacobs (c.1881-1961), who shared the property for a time with her children Morris (born c.1912), Mary (‘Mollie’)(c.1915), and Lewis, jnr (c.1922). This appears to have been the family’s city residence as, during the 1930s, Fanny was living apart from her husband, Lewis (‘Lou’) (c.1875-1950), a pianist and conductor who worked in the goldfields districts for many years. By the 1940s Lewis, snr, had retired and joined Fanny at 145 Barker Road. Fanny was still listed at this address in the Electoral Rolls of 1954 but had moved to Victoria Park by 1958.
An analysis of a historical Metropolitan Sewerage Plan (dated 1927, updated 1955) and historical aerial photographs indicates that major alterations and additions were undertaken in c.1995-2000. These extensively altered the footprint and envelope of the house.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.