HAMPTON BUILDINGS, 2-8 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

Hampton Buildings, 2-8 Wray Avenue is a single storey rendered masonry and iron commercial building dating from 1896. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of commercial buildings in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Hampton Buildings, 2-8 Wray Avenue is a single storey rendered masonry and iron commercial building originally with four separate shops. The site is triangular in shape with the point of the site facing South Terrace, the main façade of the shops facing Wray Avenue and the rear of the shops facing Little Howard Street. The walls are rendered masonry with a decorative rendered masonry parapet. The parapet wall has a gable facing South Terrace. Each shop front has large timber framed windows. Externally intact, the building has been altered internally with nos. 2,4 & 6 being interlinked to form one tenancy (a café in 2007) and no. 8 remaining as a separate shop.

History

Wray Avenue was originally Hampton Street. The named was changed to avoid confusion with the intersecting Hampton Road. It became Alexander Road, after Laurence Alexander, Mayor 1901-1902, and a representative of Falk & Co. The street name was again changed to avoid confusion with Alexandra Road in East Fremantle, and became Wray Avenue in 1923. It was named for William E Wray, at one time with the Education Dept as Truant Inspector, and a resident of the street. He was on the Fremantle Tramways Board and Mayor of Fremantle, 1914-1918. The inscription on the front façade of this building states Hampton Buildings 1896. It is therefore concluded the building was constructed in that year. The first occupants accurately recorded in the Post office directories are in 1898 and they were; William H Bawden, draper; William Knuckey, bookmaker; Ah Cheong, storekeeper; and James Mortlock, greengrocer. Further research of the rates books for this period may establish the original owner of this property. The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows that the buildings are separate with 6 and 8 having galvanised iron additions at the rear. 2 Wray Avenue has a verandah at the rear and three closets service the buildings. A photograph in 1979 shows that the street frontages of 4-8 were in relatively good condition with uniform painting and ground floor windows and doors appeared to be original. This place was included on the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80. In 1988 plans for a kitchen redevelopment of the Wray Bar located at 2 Wray Avenue by Robert Spooner and Gary Keen home design for the owner Mr T.A.C. Van Leeuwen. In 2002 the external walls had been restored.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only). Note internal modifications.

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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