Duplex House, 71 Olive St, Subiaco

Parent Place or Precinct

27310 Park Street Heritage Area

Statement of Significance

For information on the significance of the Park Street Heritage Area refer to the Local Planning Policy for the Heritage Area.

Physical Description

Architectural style 71 and 73 Olive Street were designed as a mirror image pair of cottages, which were embellished with restrained detailing derived from the Federation Queen Anne style. They were of a scale and form generally considered suitable for rental properties, attracting tenants such as office workers, retail employees and both skilled and unskilled tradesmen, as well as retired people and widows. Plan form at the street frontage • The overall frontage was designed as a symmetrical façade. The frontage of each individual house is asymmetrical. Roof form and materials • Hipped roof with a small gable over a rectangular window bay to each house. • Corrugated metal roof sheeting. • Main roofline extends over the front verandahs as a continuous raked roof. • Each of the gables has a smooth rendered face set with vertical timber battens and framed by shaped gable boards and moulded eaves brackets. Wall materials and finishes to the main facade • Tuck-pointed face brick (now rendered up to window sill height). • Two rendered string courses, one at door head height and the other at window-sill height. Other detailing to main facade • Entrance doors located adjacent to the dividing wall between the two houses. Stained glass panels. Highlight, no sidelights. • Triple casement window with highlights and chamfered mullions to each window bay. Projecting moulded window sill. • Turned-timber verandah posts. • Lacework frieze and brackets (Note: timber detailing was more common for houses of this type). Streetscape setting • Set back approximately 4.5m from the Olive Street frontage. • Overall lot width approximately 12.2m, divided into 2 parts to accommodate the semi-detached houses. • Set back of approximately 500-600mm along the side boundaries. • Front yards enclosed by high, painted brick courtyard walls and high timber gates.

History

Subiaco's population increased significantly in the 1890s due to an economic depression in the eastern states and the discovery of gold in Western Australia. During the 1890s property developers bought large landholdings for subdivision in the Perth metropolitan area. The original subdivisions in Subiaco were generally simple grid pattern developments with small lots suitable for occupancy by working families. However, the more elevated parts of the suburb, particularly towards Kings Park, also attracted business and professional men and some lots were later amalgamated to accommodate their larger homes and gardens. Mixed development occurred and within the Park Street Heritage Area this ranged from narrow, single storey terrace housing through to a large 2-storey house set in spacious grounds. The readily available evidence indicates that the number of houses within this area increased from around 24 in 1901 to 72 in 1906; 86 in 1910; 91 in 1915, 94 in 1920 and 13 by 1925. Development then stabilised, with 106 houses and 1 block of flats identified in 1949. Perth Suburban Lots 218 and 219 were subdivided as Deposited Plan 214 in the early 1890s. This comprised 52 lots, including 24 lots with frontages to Ivy Street, which extended between Barker and Bagot Roads (renamed as part of Olive Street in c.1901). 71-73 Olive Street was developed as a semi-detached pair of houses in c.1906. The owner at that time has not been confirmed, but the Rate Books of 1908-1909 and 1910-1911 identified the owner as W Miller. In late 1911, the property was offered for sale as follows: A COTTAGE INVESTMENT at SUBIACO …….. Lot 4 of Perth Sub. Lot 219, having a frontage of 40ft. to Olive-street, Subiaco, by a depth of 132ft., together with a pair of semi-detached brick cottages, each containing four rooms, kitchen, bathroom, copper and troughs. The houses are let to good tenants at 15s. per week. As the owner is anxious to sell, the above offers a chance of securing a good investment. £300 may remain on mortgage. The first residents identified for 71 Olive Street were Miss Ann McLaughlin (tailoress) and Miss Minnie Reid, who were living here in c.1908-1909. The house then had a high turn-over of occupants until at least the mid-twentieth century, which suggests that it continued to be primarily used as a rental property. A review of the Post Office Directories at 5-yearly intervals (together with reference to contemporary Electoral Rolls) indicates that some of the primary residents during this period included:  1910: Ernest Richard Ross (traveller)  1915: George Caulder (accountant)  1920: Frederick Charles Gamble (clerk)  1925 &1930: Mrs Gladys Campbell In the Rate Books of 1929-1930 a Mrs White was identified as the owner.  1935: Theodore Benjamin Bond (labourer)  1940: Edward Hutton  1945 & 1949: Arthur Elsford Fletcher An analysis of a historical Metropolitan Sewerage Plan (dated 1927, updated 1955) and historical aerial photographs indicates that some additions have been undertaken at the rear, but that the general footprint of the house has remained largely unchanged since the mid-twentieth century.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium-High: The walls have been rendered up to window sill height, but otherwise the external detailing of the semi-detached houses at 71-73 Olive Street appears to be largely intact and/or sympathetically restored/renovated. The presentation to the street has been diminished by the construction of high courtyard walls, enclosing both front gardens.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

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