DUPLEX, 9 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 9 - 11 Wray Avenue, is a typical masonry and tile single storey duplex pair dating from 1902/03. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

9-11 Wray Avenue is a single storey, rendered masonry, tile and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are rendered masonry.The roof is hipped and clad with terracotta tiles. The front verandah is under a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof supported by square timber posts. There is a high level rendered masonry wall to no. 9 and a rendered masonry pier and hedge fence to the front boundary line of no. 11. making further description difficult.

History

Wray Avenue was originally Hampton Street. The named was changed to avoid confusion with the intersecting Hampton Road. It became Alexander Road, after Laurence Alexander, Mayor 1901-1902, and a representative of Falk & Co. The street name was again changed to avoid confusion with Alexandra Road in East Fremantle, and became Wray Avenue in 1923. It was named for William E Wray, at one time with the Education Dept as Truant Inspector, and a resident of the street. He was on the Fremantle Tramways Board and Mayor of Fremantle, 1914-1918. Duplex 9 &11 Wray Avenue was formerly 25/27 Wray Avenue, where 9 was 25 and 11 was 27. The numbering changed in 1935/36. Duplex 9 &11 Wray Avenue was built in 1902/03 for the owner John Pattinson Beresford who also built the adjacent property at 13-15 Wray Avenue. Beresford worked as a police officer, brewer, and publican. At different times he ran the ‘Pearler’s Hotel’, ‘Star Hotel’ and the ‘Esplanade Hotel’. The duplexes were used as investment properties and were leased out to various tenants. The first tenant of this duplex half was Anne Keene, a dressmaker. The Beresford family retained the property until 1930 and was transferred to Amy Emma Strang who owned and occupied the place until the early 1980s. Later owners were Phyllis Atkinson, Anthony Briffa, Jeanette Barron, Vally Dickman, Elizabeth Brownlie and Scott and Nicole Anderson. The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows that the duplex was a simple rectangular plan with verandahs at the front and rear. A galvanised iron bathroom is located close the rear of the duplex and a brick closet is in the back yard of both duplex halves. This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Brown: "Positively contributing to the built environment") A photograph of the place in 1979 shows the place has a tiled roof and is enclosed in a high brick wall. The verandah is of an original form with tiles. In 1989 a new bathroom/laundry and studio were added to the rear of the house. The front verandah was replaced with a ‘bullnosed’ style prior to 1996.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining but with some alterations. (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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