Terraces

Statement of Significance

The place is of aesthetic significance as an example of a residential building dating from period around the turn of the century. The place has landmark value due to its prominence in an otherwise degraded streetscape. The place is representative of speculative housing development in Perth during the Gold Boom. The place has historic value as a reminder of the residential nature of West Perth from the late 1800s and early 1900s when there were many such terrace houses along Wellington Street, in close proximity to the railway.

Physical Description

885 and 887 Wellington Street are a pair of two-storey painted brick terraces, with a pedimented parapet above a two-storey verandah with cast iron lacework balustrade and frieze. The side parapet walls and central fire wall between the terrace units have decorative mouldings at first floor and verandah roof level. The ball mouldings on top of verandah parapets are repeated in a larger form on main parapet. A construction date of ‘1903’ is stated in the central bay of the frieze below the triangular pediment. The pediment is decorated with shield (cartouche) and swag. The verandah roofs are corrugated Colorbond in an ovolo form and have turned timber posts at the centre of each bay. A rendered brick retaining wall lines the street with tiled concrete steps ascending to the front verandah of each terrace. All windows are timber double-hung sashes, with those at the ground floor having 6 small coloured glass panes at the top of the top sash. The ground floor doors are timber panelled with 9 small glazed panels and 2 larger panels in the top section. They also have fanlights, one of which has retained its original ornate leadlight. The first floor windows are plain double-hung sashes and there are multi-pane French doors accessing the verandah with ornate leadlight highlights. There are a number of other terrace houses extant further to the west along Wellington Street.

History

A PWD block plan of 1897 shows numerous residences in the west Perth area including many terrace houses opposite the future location of 885-887 Wellington Street. The block bounded by Wellington, Havelock, Murray and Gordon Streets show very little development. A laneway is marked running from Wellington and then turning east-west centrally through the block. This indicates the alignment of the western boundary of 887 Wellington Street. Although the building was constructed in 1903, there are no entries in Post Office Directories until 1907, when a George Freer is occupant at 887 Wellington. In 1908, James J Ballinger was occupant at 887 and a Mrs Burnett in 885. In 1913, occupants included Frank A Stratton in 885 and Archibald Hamilton in 887. In 1920, Arthur T Downie was occupant in 885 and Thomas Gough in 887. In 1926, Mrs Mary Anne Beale was occupant in 885 and Edward Hull in 887. The constant change of occupants, illustrated by the few years examined above, indicates it may have been constructed and retained as an investment for residential leasing. A sewerage plan dated 1943 to1953 shows the outline of 885 and 887 Wellington Street including a wall at the front boundary and steps up to a verandah of each residence. The plan also shows the buildings have a narrow rear wing on the common boundary, each with galvanised iron structures attached to the rear and water closets in the centre of the rear yard. A large portion of the rear yard adjoining the side and rear boundaries is taken up by a brick structure labelled ‘Clarkson’s Store’. Clarkson’s is noted as the building immediately to the east of 885 Wellington Street. City of Perth records indicate it was substantially restored in 2004.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium level of integrity. High level of authenticity as it is largely as originally constructed with detail intact.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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