House

Parent Place or Precinct

26335 Hamersley Road Group Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

The Hamersley Road Group heritage area is of: Aesthetic Value • As an aesthetically pleasing streetscape with a strong identifiable character, featuring an avenue of mature street trees, which frame views of the largely intact Federation and Inter War residences. • For its collection of many good, representative examples of Federation and Inter War cottages and villas which collectively illustrate a range and evolution of detailing between the 1890s and the 1940s. • For the cohesive streetscape created by a limited palette of materials and styles. Historic Value • As a representative collection of houses that illustrate the scale and standard of housing for the homes of unskilled workers to semi-professional and tradespeople, in the early twentieth century. • For the evidence it provides about the manner in which the residence of semi-professional and tradespeople existed alongside the residences of working people and employees. • For its association with the subdivision and rapid settlement of the area from the 1890s to the 1920s which demonstrates the rapid change of the district in the gold boom period and shortly thereafter. Representativeness • As a good representative collection of early twentieth century housing developed within walking distance of transport and services. Physical Form in the Public Realm • The houses, which (with the exception of two modern dwellings) were developed predominantly in the period 1898 to 1921, (and one in 1946) have largely retained their original external detailing and form. The defined period and nature of development has resulted in a consistent palette of materials and form, enlivened by diversity of individual details, with a cohesive streetscape.

Physical Description

Single storey brick and zincalume house located on a prominent corner position at the intersection of Derby Road and Hamersley Road. The property presents with a symmetrical façade with twin bays flanking a central entrance. The traditional tuckpointed finish has been painted over obscuring both the traditional detail of the tuckpointing and the two rendered bands that extend across the elevation at sill level and mid-window height. The high hipped roof, extends down to incorporate two gable features at eaves position, which accord with the position of the two bays. Each gable has roughcast render and timber batten detail with timber finials to the apex. The tall corbelled brick chimney with rendered detailing has been retained. The windows to the bays are arranged with pairs of 1-over-1 timber framed sashes with rendered sill and decorative apron under the sill. The entrance is a traditional arrangement of timber and glazed panelled door with similar side panels and fanlights across the entire. The glazing to the door ensemble is leaded with coloured glass. The verandah extends across the entire façade, the bullnose canopy is supported on square timber posts. The deck cannot be seen. The Derby Road elevation is rendered with replacement windows. The property is enclosed by scalloped timber picket fence.

History

This portion of Subiaco bound by Hamersley Road, Derby Road, Heytesbury Road and Federal Road was designated as Perth Suburban Lot 260. This large landholding of five acres was acquired by the Intercolonial Investment Land and Building Company Limited in 1890. This company was based in New South Wales but was very active in the development of Perth’s metropolitan area in the 1890s. The plan for the subdivision of this portion of Hamersley Road was approved by the Department of Lands and Surveys in 1904. However, the land had been subdivided for residential sale some years previously. Lots had been transferred to new owners from 1892. Rates Book research identifies that a house had already been constructed on this lot in 1903. The owner was Mrs Sharpe and Charles Sharpe (fettler) was the occupier. The Electoral Rolls record Charles Sharpe as a civil servant and he and his wife Fanny (Florence Frances) as living at Hamersley Road in 1903. Another Charles Sharpe was living at the address so presumably this was a son or another relative. In 1917/18 Mrs Francis Sharpe was listed as the owner/occupier. The PO Directories list the following occupants: • 1904 - Mrs A Sharp • 1905 – 1926 Charles Sharp • 1927 – 1929 George Binning • 1930 – 1932 William Ryan • 1933 – 1937/38 James Ryan • 1939/40 – 1949 Mrs A E Herbert The 1929/30 Rate Books list Alice Ryan as the owner and James Ryan as the occupier. The property originally included the lot to the east (lot 18) which was presumably a garden or tennis court. An aerial photograph of the property in 1964 shows the simple form of the house and a large shed across the rear of the lot. Sometime between 1985 and 1995 a large addition was constructed on the rear of the building. This addition is the current extent of the residence.

Integrity/Authenticity

The change in finishes to the façade has reduced the authenticity of the place and its contribution to the proposed heritage area. However the original design can still be readily understood.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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