Two Houses

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 and the small scale development by local builders of many residential properties.

Physical Description

• Pair of duplex cottages that have similar finishes. • Brick construction with painted finish. • Central gables above a pair of timber framed sash windows. The gables have a smooth render finish with cornice. • Hipped and gabled roof with separate bullnose verandah canopies supported on turned timber posts.

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. The area that is now known as the ‘Subiaco Triangle Precinct’ attracted the construction of a range of dwellings, including timber cottages, semi-detached houses, two to three bedroom free-standing brick dwellings and substantial villas. The subdivision plan for this portion of Barker Road was approved in 1896 but development did not accelerate until the 1900s. It was not uncommon for lots to be purchased by investor/builders who constructed homes for sale, often one or two houses at a time which financed the next purchase. This pair of conjoined houses was first evident in the Post Office Directories in 1906, indicating a construction date of 1905. The adjacent pair at 258 and 260 Barker Road demonstrate similar scale and detail which suggests they were built by the same contractor. No detail has been found to conclusively prove who built these four houses. The occupation of this pair of houses had a rapid turnover and the occupations of those who are listed in the Post Office Directories are not always possible to determine. Throughout the first half of the 20th century there was a mix of occupations undertaken by the people living at these two houses; wood and coal merchant, bank officer, motor driver, retired contractor, glazier, railway employee, traveller, labourer, meter reader, engine driver, upholstress and blacksmith. A plan of the site prepared in the 1920s and reviewed in the 1950s for the purpose of planning sewerage and water supply services shows that the footprint of the two residences have changed little since that time. The original verandahs appear to have been enclosed and extended. The back yard included a wash house abutting the end of each house and brick water closets on the back property boundary. Aerial photographs of the place since the mid 20th century indicate that the pair were roofed with red corrugated iron over the main house, and the skillion roof was galvanised corrugated iron until the late 1980s. By 1995, 252 Barker Road had been completely reroofed in corrugated metal sheeting, and 254 was reroofed in red corrugated sheeting by 2000. The extent and form of the original residences are still clearly evident.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High Authenticity - Moderate - High: The original external detailing of the building is largely intact although the painted brickwork has reduced the authenticity.

Condition

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

Uses

Creation Date

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