COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 135 STIRLING HIGHWAY

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 135 Stirling Highway, is a rendered masonry and iron single storey former shop 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.

Physical Description

Commercial Building, 135 Stirling Highway, is a single storey rendered masonry and iron house and shop with asymmetrical facade constructed in the Federation period. Walls are rendered masonry. Roof is hipped corrugated iron with no eaves. Front elevation is asymmetrical with a shop front window and front door. There is a portion of the building recessed further back. The shop front is set close to the front boundary. A rendered corbelled chimney remains intact.

History

The portion of Stirling Highway to the north of Queen Victoria Street was originally part of Perth Road. The area developed with mixed residential, commercial and industrial uses from the 1860s following the construction of the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge and the upgrading of Perth Road by convicts. The portion of Stirling Highway that runs between the Swan River and the junction with Queen Victoria Street was formerly called Bruce Street. It was named after Colonel Bruce, head of the Pensioner Guards. In the early days of North Fremantle’s development, the favoured residential area for settlement was slightly west of the North Fremantle oval and named ‘Brucetown’. Settlement of North Fremantle began in earnest in the late 1890s and Bruce Street was characterised by a mix of building types. On the southern side of the street between Queen Victoria Street (formerly Perth Road) and Tydeman Road (formerly Pensioner Road and then John Street), the buildings were predominantly residential. Industrial use was more common on the northern side. Stirling Bridge was constructed across the Swan River at the end of Bruce Street in 1974. As Bruce Street was now the major arterial link between the bridge and Stirling Highway, the street was widened and renamed as an extension of Stirling Highway. In recent years, new high-density residential development of the areas adjacent to the river on either side of Stirling Highway has seen a significant change in the mix of buildings in the southern section of Stirling Highway. In 2004, the street continues to have a mix of residential, retail and industrial land use. Commercial Building, 135 Stirling Highway was constructed at some time between c. 1900 and 1921. In 1921, the shop and rooms were owned and occupied by William Mooney, who retained ownership until his death c. 1934. Mrs Mary Smith subsequently took over the shop for her mixed business. Mrs Smith continued to occupy the place until the early 1940s, after which it had a succession of owners. Rate records indicate that improvements were made in 1957/58. A 1939 diagram shows the building as a combined shop and residence, with the shop front sitting right on the boundary, with the residence to the south and west. 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) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some later unsympathetic materials). Medium degree of authenticity with some loss of original fabric. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

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

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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