DUPLEX, 14 PEARSE STREET

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 14 - 16 Pearse Street is a typical stone and iron single storey cottage duplex dating from the 1890s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the North Fremantle area. The place is a simple example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

14-16 Pearse Street is a single storey stone and iron duplex pair with overall symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. Number 14 has limestone walls with brick quoins and reveals. Number 16 has limestone walls with tuckpointed brick quoins and reveals. The roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves and a dividing parapet wall. There are two rendered chimneys with rendered details. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof. Verandah to number 14 is supported by round rendered columns on brick piers. The verandah to number 16 is supported by turned timber posts with decorative timber brackets. Front elevation is symmetrical with a timber sash window and a front door to each side. The duplex is set forward with the edge of the verandahs set on the front boundary line. Number 14 has a solid rendered brick balustrade, whilst number 16 has a timber picket fence along the front boundary line.

History

The majority of Pearse Street was created as part of a circa 1890 subdivision by William Edward Marmion of Fremantle and James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger Perth. The subdivision occurred when North Fremantle was experiencing rapid development and there was a demand for inexpensive housing close to industry and the railway line. Originally called Mason Street after local land developer and jeweller, Frederick Mason, the street was renamed Pearse Street in 1922/23 (only a year after Mason died) in recognition of George Pearse, Fremantle Councillor (1875-1881) and founder of the Pearse shoe and boot factory in Swan Street. Many of the street’s original occupants were working people who had jobs in nearby industries. Homes were modest in scale of brick, stone or weatherboard. Many of the buildings were owned by absentee landlords who leased the cottages to long and short-term tenants. The street has suffered from a poor reputation during its life, at one time known colloquially as ‘Pong Alley’. The short, narrow street has remained a residential street since its formation. The brick and iron duplex at 14-16 Pearse Street (formerly 14-16 Mason Street) was built between 1897 and 1913 for an unidentified owner. It was originally part of lot P41 that was granted to pensioner Guard John Cody in 1884. The land was transferred to journalist James Roe in 1884, George Gallop a clerk of Fremantle in 1885, then to a syndicate comprising William Edward Marmion of Fremantle, James Grave, Edward Keane, Edmund Gilyard Lacey and Frederick Charles Monger all of Perth. In 1887 the lot was transferred to Walter McCarthy, a shipwright of North Fremantle. The lot was subdivided in 1890. (It would appear that there was an earlier house on the lot as the Rate Books for the period 1893 to 1895 record a two-roomed cottage on the site owned by John Robinson, a blacksmith.) In 1921, the duplex was owned by the estate of Edward William Davies who was a member of the Legislative Council (1894-1896), a councillor (1894-1901) and Mayor of Fremantle (1901). He leased the two residences to Lawrence Robertson (invalid) and Walter J. Reed. The property, described as two four roomed houses, was owned by Davies’ estate until 1935. Other occupants included Alfred Angove, Thomas Richarson, S Smith, H. Watson, J Whitbread, Mary Johnson and Ehraim Baker. Between 1955 and 1974 Laurence Gauci owned the property. Gauci occupied number 14 and Peter Vella occupied number 16. In 1974 Laurence Gauci died and the property was transferred to Alessandro Pilcher. He owned the place until 1978. Jill Jacob owned both sides of the property from 1977 to 1978. Since that time their houses have been owned separately and occupied by their owners. In 1940, the building basically retained its original form with a small weatherboard addition and a verandah on the rear of the building. A fence divided the back yard and earth closets were located on either side at the rear of the property. The houses were connected to mains sewerage at different times, number 19 in 1955 and number 14 in 1951. In 1979, a low brick wall enclosed both front verandas and a picket fence marked the front boundary. In 1992, new kitchens, meals, laundry, bathroom and toilets were added to number 14. Renovations were completed at number 16 in 1990 and a loft extension in 1998. In 2004, the building is used as two separate residences. This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also 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

Number 14 Medium to high degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored, some fabric loss). Medium degree of authenticity with some fabric replacement. Number 16 High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored). High degree of authenticity with most original fabric remaining (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition of number 14 is assessed as good.(assessed from streetscape survey only). Condition of number 16 is assessed as fair (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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