DUPLEX, 5 CHARLES STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 5 & 7 Charles Street, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey duplex dating from c1896. 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

5 -7 Charles Street is a single storey, limestone, brick and iron duplex pair built by 1896 with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron roof and is supported by timber posts. Number 5 has a central front door with fanlight and on one side a double hung sash windows. There is one chimney evident. There is a timber picket and iron fence to the front boundary line.

History

Charles Street was largely developed in the last decade of the nineteenth century and much of the housing stock still dates from this time. Duplex, 5 Charles Street was built by 1896, when it was listed in the rate book as a cottage owned by William Chamberlain and occupied by Leonard Hicks. Chamberlain owned several investment properties in the area c. 1900. The property had several owners and continued to be a rental property in the ensuing years. Circa 1922, it was purchased by Violet (and later Henry) Atwell, who lived over the road at 4 Charles Street and also owned Duplex, 7 Charles Street. (Up until this time, the duplexes at 5 and 7 Charles Street were under separate ownership.) The Atwells continued to own Duplex, 5 Charles Street until the mid-1960s and it has had a couple of owners since that time. A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated 1954 shows a pair of large, brick attached residences at 5 and 7 Charles Street. Both had full length front verandahs and centrally located front paths. To the rear of 5 Charles Street, there was a weatherboard addition to the south-west and a small weatherboard room to the south-east. The rooms appear to have been joined by a verandah or deck. This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle")

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (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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