House

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance: • As a representative example of the standard of modest rental accommodation built for people such as tradesmen, junior employees, labourers and single women/widows in Subiaco during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. • For the evidence that this property and its local streetscape provides about the manner in which the family residences of senior professional men and business owners were developed side by side with the more modest residences of more junior employees and tradesmen in early twentieth century Subiaco.

Physical Description

• Weatherboard cottage with asymmetric plan form and simple presentation. • The projecting wing contains a three section sash window arrangement and timber finial to the gable. • Bullnose verandah canopy across the recessed section of the elevation supported on square posts with brick paver deck. • The recessed section of the façade contains a traditional 1-over-1 sash window and entrance door with fanlight abutting the projecting wing.

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. A subdivision plan for this portion of Subiaco was approved in 1896. Park Street was named ‘Salisbury Avenue’ in this plan but was changed shortly thereafter. In the PO Directory of 1902 there were 16 primary residents listed along Park Street, increasing to 64 by 1905. Around 85 houses had been built by 1910, increasing to around 90 by 1915, after which the numbers remained relatively stable at around the mid 90s through until at least the mid 20th century. This confirms that this part of Subiaco was largely developed in the Federation era (in the period from the late 1890s to the early war years), with a relatively small amount of infill development through until WWII. From the readily available information this place was built c1902 and occupied by ironmonger Thomas Grier (c.1854-1916) by 1903, together with his mother, Harriett, and sister, Maud. His address was more specifically identified as #194 in the PO Directory of 1906. No detail of the builder has been found in this research. By 1910, Grier was sharing 194 Park Street with his mother, his son, Water, and daughter-inlaw, Florence. Members of this family lived here until c.1913 (when Walter’s work with the WAGR took him to the Goldfields districts). A plan of the lot prepared in 1927 and reviewed in 1955 for the purpose of planning sewerage and water supply services shows additions to the rear have replaced an earlier verandah. Aerial photographs from the mid 20th century demonstrate that roof cladding over the front portion of the cottage was red corrugated iron. The extension which is currently in place was built in the late 1990s.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be used as a private residence. Authenticity - High: The original external form and detailing of the building is largely intact.

Condition

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

Uses

Creation Date

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Last Update