Desbrough House and adjoining Terrace House

Statement of Significance

The places have aesthetic significance as a substantial Federation Queen Anne, two storey residences built in 1903. The corner tower is a local landmark, and despite loss of verandahs, the place makes a significant contribution to the streetscape of which it forms an integral component. They are examples of mansions on the outskirts of Perth occupied by the wealthier class and reflect the development of West Perth as a prestigious residential suburb. Desborough House has historic significance as a building designed by architect Austin Bastow. Together the buildings are representative of the changing character and growth of the city, being former residential properties that have undergone a change of use to apartments, and then to commercial/professional offices.

Physical Description

Two storey corner building with half-hipped roofs and tall decorative chimneys with terracotta pots. Faceted bay to corner with prominent pyramidal roof. Half-timbered flying gables to both street fronts. Awning is not original. Attached to adjacent building by a contemporary link structure. Extensive alterations internally. Attached to adjoining property at 1167 Hay Street.

History

West Perth developed as suburban residential area in the late 1890s. From its inception it had the characteristics of a quality neighbourhood. The West Perth end of Hay Street was predominately prestigious homes, taking advantage of Hay Street’s proximity to the city and King’s Park (then known as Perth Park). The elevated location provided healthy site drainage as well as cooling breezes and views over the city and hills. The area had social status already associated with addresses in nearby Mount Street and access to the city's piped water system. The homes built in West Perth from the early 1900s included prestigious mansions built in prominent locations and smaller working class cottages in the narrower back streets and towards the northern end of the area adjacent to the railway. In the 1920s and 1930s, many property owners in West Perth were taking advantage of the location and demand for housing by renting out rooms. If this was the case, private homes would be listed as lodging house, boarding house, flats or apartments. Sometimes large houses would actually be converted into flats or apartments. The house at No. 1167 (originally No. 813) was built in 1903 for Norman Kirkwood Ewing, a lawyer, senator and judge. He was in WA parliament from 1901-03, having served in NSW government prior to that, and then served in the Tasmanian parliament. The corner two storey semi-detached pair (Nos. 809-811 prior to 1908) was designed by architect (and Mayor of Subiaco) Austin Bastow and built in 1903 by Mr Henry Bentley for real estate agent Henry Laslett. An article in the ‘Western Mail’ provides a sketch and gives a detailed description of the houses, including the following: "Each of the houses contains nine living rooms and conveniences, stabling, etc. The internal arrangements are excellent, while the large dining and drawing rooms, being connected by folding doors, will, when thrown into one, make most desirable apartments. The corner is surmounted by a small tower, the summit of which stands 52ft. above the footpath. The roof is specially designed to afford coolness and ventilation, as is shown by the picturesque gable and corners. Architectural hygiene has been carefully considered by the architect, as is shown by the height of the rooms, 13ft. and 12ft. 6in. for the ground and first floors respectively… From the spacious balconies, more particularly that of the corner house which is returned round the Havelock-street frontage, a charming view is obtained of the west of the city, the river Swan, the distant hills of the Darling Range forming a delightful picture.” (Western Mail, 30 May 1903, p. 24)A State Library of WA photo (009581D) of the buildings dated 1916 shows how they originally looked, which is much more elaborate and decorative than is seen today, due to the building having lost its verandahs that wrapped around the corner on both levels. There was a low front boundary wall with similar infill as the balcony balustrades. The entry to the houses was via stairs on Hay Street that ran parallel to the street. Road widening of Hay Street under the dedicated ‘Town Planning and Development Act 1928’ resulted in the site boundary being reduced to the building line. As a result, the verandah had to be removed and the entry relocated back from the building line. (Source: Owner’s submission 09.08.2000). By 1925, Nos. 1161-1163 was being run as a lodging house by Miss J. Taylor, common of larger houses in this area, in which proprietors would take advantage of the size and location. By 1930, No 1167 was operating as apartments run by Mrs L. F. Spencer. By 1982 the semi-detached pair and the adjacent house were adjoined with a glazed link and after 1985 the place was reroofed. Desborough House is the name given to 1161-1165 Hay St on the corner of Havelock St; and at 1982, No 1167 was known as Fleur House. (Refer to State Library photo 311596PD) At 2022 the properties are now on one lot and under one ownership, used for offices.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. High level of authenticity. Awning detail is not original but largely as originally constructed with detail intact.

Condition

Fair - Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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