COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, 213-217 SOUTH TERRACE

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 213-217 South Terrace, is a typical rendered masonry single storey building dating from c 1904. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of a commercial building in the Fremantle area.

Physical Description

213-217 South Terrace is a single storey rendered masonry commercial building constructed in c1904. The walls are rendered masonry with a decorative parapet. There are arched windows to the facades. There is a corrugated iron verandah with timber posts to both facades of the building. The building is located on a street corner with a truncated corner containing the front door. The building is located on the boundary lines of both streets with a footpath in front.

History

A three roomed cottage was built on this lot for Mrs Elizabeth Seymour in 1898. Septimus Dixon was the owner by 1901. The cottage did not have a long history, for in 1903/04, it was bought by A E Davis and soon demolished to make way for three attached ‘shops and rooms’. The Davis family – first Arthur and then his son Glyn – owned the shops until the 1940s. A sewerage diagram dated 1907 shows three attached brick shops at 213, 215 and 217 South Terrace. The shop at the corner of South Terrace and Ada Street had an entrance facing the corner, while the two other shops had centrally located recessed entries. A verandah extended across the front of the shops and around the corner into Ada Street. In 1959, a metal awning was erected across the front of the shops. It is not known if the original verandah was removed at this time, or at an earlier stage. Circa 1972, the shops were purchased by Mateo Roucco and converted for use as a restaurant. The work at this time including bricking up the original window facing South Terrace at No. 217 and inserting a smaller window in its place, as well as additions to the rear of each of the shops. Between 1978 and 1993, further alterations were made to the South Terrace and Ada Street facades. By 1996, the three shops had been merged into one commercial premises. Number 213 was essentially all dining area with store behinds, and the front door had been converted to a window. The front section of Number 215 was dining, with a large kitchen behind. The front of Number 217 was dining, with a pizza bar behind. A large courtyard extended across the rear of 215 and 217. This place was included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

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).

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update