DUPLEX, 1 SUFFOLK STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 1 & 3 Suffolk Street, is a typical masonry and iron double storey duplex pair dating from 1894/95. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

1 & 3 Suffolk Street is a double storey, limestone, brick tile and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins mostly now rendered. The roof is gabled and clad with tiles to no. 1 and corrugated iron to no. 3. The limestone dividing wall is visible through the roof. Each duplex pair has a two storey projecting front room with a gable roof and a recessed front door with side and fanlights and a balcony over. The balconies have iron filigree friezes and have been later infilled. Their is a two storey fibro extension to the side of no. 1. There are double hung sash windows to the upper floor and casement windows to the lower. The projecting front rooms are located on the front boundary line and their are low level rendered masonry walls and iron gates in front of the front doors. This place contains a limestone feature.

History

Suffolk Street is named after the English county, as per Norfolk and Essex Streets. Duplex 1-3 Suffolk Street was formerly 57 and 59 Suffolk Street. The street numbering changing in 1934/5. Originally 1 Suffolk Street was 59, and 3 Suffolk Street was 57. This duplex was constructed for prominent Fremantle merchant, John Bateman. The first occupiers were Arthur J. Diamond and Mrs John Cousins. Arthur Diamond was the manager of P. Falk and Co, which was a wholesale tobacconist and jewellery business. In 1901 he was elected MLA for South Fremantle. The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows that this duplex was constructed of stone. Verandahs were located on the rear of both buildings. In the back yard of 1 Suffolk Street were two weatherboard structures, two tank stands and a brick earth closet. The back yard of 3 Suffolk Street was free of structures except for a weatherboard addition on the verandah and the brick earth closet. Later owners of both properties were John Wesley Bateman and Frederick Hollis; Henry Kneebone; and Francis Lancaster and Eliza Jane Taylor. Ownership of the two halves of the duplex was split approximately in the 1940s. Owners in the 1950s were Elena Amato (1 Suffolk St) and Filipo Tringali (3 Suffolk St). This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle")

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium to high degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining but with some alterations. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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