House

Parent Place or Precinct

26077 Salisbury and Rupert Street Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance: • As a good representative example of the many 4-5 room brick homes which were built in Subiaco during the early twentieth century to meet the needs and aspirations of middle-class residents such as public servants, senior office workers, small business owners, skilled tradesmen and single/widowed women of private means. • As a good representative example of the application of materials and detailing which were derived from the Federation Queen Anne style, but which were applied in a more restrained manner that suited the budgets and expectations of the middle classes in Subiaco during the early twentieth century. • For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact group of early twentieth century houses. • For its association with the rapid development of Subiaco in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

• Federation Queen Anne style house with some altered details. • Symmetrical façade with central entrance flanked by 1-over-1 timber framed sash windows. • Brick construction with the original tuckpointing finish painted over, rendered string course at sill level has been retained. • Hipped roof with zincalume cladding, non-original gable window. • Bullnose verandah canopy extending across the full width of the façade, supported on squared timber posts with decorative frieze, non-original gabled porch entry added to the verandah. • Garden enclosed by timber picket style fence.

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. In the late 1890s, property developers bought large landholdings for subdivision in the Perth metropolitan area. The subdivisions were generally simple grid pattern developments with small lots for occupancy by working families. Subiaco was a popular and logical location for development and the increase in population and demand for services led to the proclamation of Subiaco as a municipality in 1897. This portion of Salisbury Street and adjacent streets were formally approved for subdivision in 1902 and from the readily available information this residence was built c1909. The first occupant was carpenter Peter Daniel Marcussen, it is possible that Marcussen was the builder of this place but further research is needed. The Marcussen family stayed at the house until c1920. From the 1920s, until the 1950s, the residence was occupied by painter Percy Bolin and his family. A plan of the site prepared in the 1920s and reviewed in 1954 for the purpose of planning sewerage and water supply services shows that original footprint of the house had almost doubled since that time. Aerial photographs of the place since the mid 20th century confirm that the original roof cladding was green corrugated iron. In the late 1990s, the small structures in the back yard and the rear verandah were removed to enable the construction of a large addition including a second storey with dormers in a new roof form/ The extent and form of the original residence are still evident.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be used as a private residence. Authenticity - Medium to High as the roof structure has been significantly altered to create a second storey and the brickwork has been painted.

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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