Residence, 2 Preston Point Road

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE No 2 Preston Point Road is a single storey house constructed in brick and limestone with a corrugated iron roof. It has historic and aesthetic value for its contribution to Town Centre's streetscape. The place contributes to the local community’s sense of place. The place has considerable aesthetic value as Federation Bungalow. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity and a high degree of integrity. The additions to the rear have no significance. AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE No 2 Preston Point Road has considerable aesthetic value as a Federation Bungalow. It retains most of the characteristic features of a dwelling of the type and period. HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE No 2 Preston Point Road has some historic value. It was part of the suburban residential development associated with the expansion of East Fremantle and the subdivision of Walter Easton’s Estate from 1901. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE N/A SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE No 2 Preston Point Road some social value. It is associated with development and expansion of East Fremantle. RARITY No 2 Preston Point Road is not rare in the immediate context. The Town Centre has rarity value as a cohesive middle class suburb.

Physical Description

Federation Federation Villa w Regency Influences No 2 Preston Point Road is a single storey house constructed in limestone and brick with a hipped and gable corrugated iron roof. It is a fine expression of the Federation Bungalow style. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a thrust gable bay and a full width return hip roofed verandah. The verandah is supported on stop chamfered timber posts. A balustrade filled with asbestos cement sheets spans between the posts. The gable bay features a pair of windows and a lunette shaped vent. The entrance is located on the south elevation under the return verandah. All openings have been boarded up. Walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roofscape is enriched by brick chimneys with rendered caps. The place retains its form and most of its details. There are additions to the rear. The lot has been subdivided and a building built to the rear. The place is consistent with the building pattern in the Precinct. The place plays an important role in the pattern of development of a middle class suburb.

History

Historic Theme: Demographic Settlement The Town of East Fremantle became an independent municipality in 1897. Following this the Town promoted the construction of a Town Hall, Fire Station, Post Office and Police Station on Richmond Road (later the Canning Road and thereafter Highway) at the eastern edge of development. Land was allocated for this purpose by the Western Australian Government Lands Office and the various government structures built shortly thereafter. The Canning Road formed the initial spine for development of the area. The commercial structures logically appeared along it over the first years of development of the Town. The development included both single and two storey structures to both sides of the road. The two storey buildings featured residential portions above. A resulting commercial strip, a number of churches and civic buildings were largely constructed by the end of the first decade of the 20th century. They provided a distinct edge and identity to the new Town. The strip paralleled a commercial precinct that had developed to the south in George Street in the centre of Plympton. The strip extended along to Staton (then Victoria) Road. This strip survived largely intact until a project to develop a new “Town Centre Zone” was announced in 1971. It was to include shops, offices, eating places, a tavern, clinics etc. Council purchased the Richmond Shopping Centre in 1972 and planned to sell the land to a development company. The project was completed in the early 1970s. The subsequent building of the Stirling Highway extension linking Leach Highway with Canning Highway and Stirling Highway in 1979 saw the loss of more original buildings. The extension effectively cut the Town of East Fremantle in two. The Town Centre has since been separated from the majority of Plympton.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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