House (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has historic and aesthetic significance as a Federation Bungalow built in 1912. As a relatively intact former house it is a reminder of the residential character of West Perth and represents the way of life of wealthier residents in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place is a representative example of a residential property that has undergone a change of use to professional offices with the changing character and growth of the City. The former house makes a positive contribution to the visual qualities of the streetscape, although the two storey additions are intrusive.

Physical Description

Originally a single storeyed residential building, now two storeys with second storey constructed to the rear in the 1990s. Rendered brick with ashlar effect, zincalume hipped tiled roof with half timbered and pebble dash front prominent flying gable. Tall chimneys with terracotta pots. Bullnosed zincalume roof to front verandah, turned timber posts and freize. Tiles to front verandah not original. Limestone wall with piers. Double hung sash windows and original front door. Timber framed second storey added to rear.

History

West Perth developed as suburban residential area in the late 1890s. From its inception it had the characteristics of a quality neighbourhood. Proximity to the city centre and Kings Park (then known as Perth Park), and the elevated location provided healthy site drainage as well as cooling breezes and views over the city and hills. The area had social status already associated with addresses in nearby Mount Street and access to the city's piped water system. The area was subdivided into large residential lots for development and proceed accordingly. The homes built in West Perth from the early 1900s included prestigious mansions built in prominent locations and smaller working class cottages in the narrower back streets and towards the northern end of the area adjacent to the railway. Post Office directories show that the house was first listed in 1912 and was first occupied by Michael G. Lavan, of Smith & Lavan. In 1949, when post office directories ceased publication the house was still occupied by the Lavan family. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1954) shows the house with a driveway on the west side parallel to the right of way. There is a return verandah, central steps and a projecting bay on the east side. Aerial photos show that between 1995 and 2000 the house was reroofed from red (tiles?) to steel and was also added to at the rear. The view from the side lane shows this as a two storey brick addition. It has been built to appear original with matching window arch heads and stucco sills. A real estate advertisement in December 2018 for leasing the former house as offices has interior photos. It is difficult to say what is original fabric and what is recycled material or refabricated to match original in such features as ceiling roses, cornices, moulded archways and so on. In 2022 the single storey section is rendered in a limestone colour with ashlar effect. There is a prominent flying gable with half-timbered effect and pebbledash that faces the street. The verandah is under a corrugated iron bull nose roof with decorative timber posts and frieze, with a tiled floor. The former house is used for offices.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity. Largely as originally constructed with detail intact, but roof has been tiled.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update