DUPLEX, 21 ALMA STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 19 & 21 Alma Street, is a typical limestone, rendered masonry and iron single storey duplex pair dating from 1897. The external materials of the place have been partially altered. 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 very late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

19 & 21 Alma Street are a modified, single storey, rendered brick and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are rendered masonry to no 19 and limestone clad to no. 21. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. There is a protruding dividing wall between the two duplex halves. The overall facade of the pair is symmetrical with each having a front door and a timber framed window. No. 21 has a metal roller shutter over the window. Both have a verandah under a continuous corrugated iron roof supported on decorative plaster piers. No 19 has a rendered masonry half height wall between the piers and no. 21 has a half height limestone wall. The edge of the verandah is located on the front boundary line.

History

This house is part of a duplex pair 19-21 Alma Street, formerly numbered 43-45 Alma Street. The numbering changed in 1934/35. Information from the Post Office directories indicates that the duplex was built c.1899. There appears to have been a cottage on the site prior to this date known as ‘Alma Cottage’ but it is unknown if that was part of this duplex. No. 19 was later known as Alma Cottage. The first occupant of 21 Alma Street was James Pratt. Later occupants were Morrie Scanlon, David Hunter, William Holland and John Fletcher, The 1907 sewerage plan of the site shows that the two brick cottages had verandahs at the front and rear. In the back yards were galvanised iron closets and an additional galvanised iron outbuilding. Photographs of the place in 1978 show that the front verandahs had been enclosed with a half wall of rendered brick and decorative pillars replaced the verandah posts. In 1994, the two halves of the duplex had different treatments. 21 Alma Street had an imitation limestone block render and a security blind on the front window. 19 Alma Street had the lower half of the front façade in open brickwork and the top half was rendered. The roof was in poor condition at this time. In 2001, the roofing had been replaced but little else had been modified.

Integrity/Authenticity

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

Condition

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

Uses

Creation Date

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