COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 243 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 243 Queen Victoria Street is a typical rendered brick, two storey commercial shop with residence above dating from the 1900s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical commercial building stock located within the commercial areas of North Fremantle. Historically significant as a representation of commercial buildings in the North Fremantle area. The place is a late, simple example of the Victorian Regency style of architecture.

Physical Description

Two storey, rendered and painted brick building designed in the Victorian Regency style of architecture. A simply detailed building, it is part of an attached row of commercial shops with residences above. The attached building is detailed in a similar manner. The original verandahs have been replaced with flat metal awnings. Within itself the front facade is asymmetrical with three individual and one pair of upper floor windows with simple rendered architraves. There is a simple banded moulding detail to the parapet and a half sun motif. There are two glass shop fronts to the ground floor.

History

Queen Victoria Street developed from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. Initially called Perth Road, the street has had a number of names over the years: Victoria Avenue (c.1907-c. 1937), Stirling Highway (c. 1937 to c. 1976) and Queen Victoria Street (c. 1976 on). The area bounded by Queen Victoria Street, Stirling Highway (previously Bruce Street) and John Street was the commercial and social centre of North Fremantle, where public buildings such as the town hall, police station and post office were located. Also in this vicinity were the pubs and wine bars, butchers, bakers, grocers, haberdashery and barbers shops that catered for the needs of the local community. Queen Victoria Street continues to be North Fremantle’s main commercial precinct in North Fremantle. Comprising four retail tenancies, this building was constructed between 1904 and 1913. A plan dated 1940 shows a brick building with a galvanised iron addition at the rear and various outbuildings. The land was part of a large holding along Queen Victoria Street owned by Kathleen Kenny. In 1924, the shop at 43 Victoria Avenue (later 43 Stirling Highway and then 243 Queen Victoria Street) was occupied by Edward Bennett, grocer, and Jos King, fruiterer. In 1935, the shop was occupied by P Giles, grocer and in 1945, Freecorns Ltd, grocers, were the tenants. The shop is now (2016) occupied by an antique shop. 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

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, partially restored, some loss of fabric and previous unsympathetic alterations). Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.Some loss of fabric. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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