House

Statement of Significance

The place is rare as a substantial Victorian Italianate style residence still extant within the Perth region. The place is a fine example of a substantial, Victorian Italianate style, residential building set within an established garden. The place forms an integral part of group of residential buildings and contributes to the historic character of the area. The place reflects the expansion of housing opportunities in the city of Perth in the area north of the railway line. It was one of the first substantial houses to be constructed in the area, during the early gold boom years in Western Australia, and reflects the nature of the social milieu that once lived along particular sections of Aberdeen Street. The place is important as a reflection of the diversity of cultural changes and residential patterns that have occurred in Northbridge over the course of a century. This is reflected in the changing functions of the house from a domestic dwelling to a medical centre; a private hospital during World War I; apartments during the depression years of the 1930; a place for post-war migrant families during the 1950s; its use by the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent De Paul; and a community health centre for workers in the sex industry during the late 1990s.The place is important for its association with Robert and Richard Sholl, early land holders in the district and men of some standing and influence in the colony. The place is significant for its association with Carl Torre, a prominent businessman and member of an Italian family well known within the Northbridge area. The place is significant for its association with Sister Peter who was held in high regard for her charitable work with the poor and homeless.

Physical Description

Single storey residential building with medium pitched hipped and gable roof. distinguished by faceted bay window, circular air vent in gable and quoining to front facade.

History

This is one of the earliest substantial houses to be erected in the street. It was the residence of Mr A. Dillon Bell, the Government's Engineer in c1893-4, then later the home of Frederick C. Monger, MLA (1900 listing). The place is listed as a private hospital run by Miss E. Harvey in 1920, then the home of J. Ralph Donaldson, a medical practitioner, in 1924. In 1935-6 it is listed as apartments under the name of Miss Evelyn Doyle. In 1949, Mrs Margaret M. Blake is listed as the resident. The place is significant for its association with Carl Torre, a prominent businessman and member of an Italian family well known within the Northbridge area. The place is significant for its association with Sister Peter who was held in high regard for her charitable work with the poor and homeless. In the early years of the Swan River colony the area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was low lying and swampy and was therefore settled more slowly than the better land closer to the river. It was also further from the river port and the main means of transport. Northbridge is an inner suburban area, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge. It was approved as a suburb name in 1982. In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing some fertile land for farming and later subdivision. The land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860. Land in the area was taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area at this period was characterised by small cottages and businesses. In 1881, the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period commerce and trade tended to be more fashionable with smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890's and early 1900's was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time. Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities. for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have over the years given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area. (Extracted from M. Pitt Morrison and J. White in C.T. Stannage, A New History of Western Australia; U.W.A. 1981 and Michael Bosworth, Thematic Historical framework, City of Perth Unpub. 1995). The homes built in Perth the 1890's and early 1900's were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages there replaced. Although influenced in their design by homes of Victoria in particular, due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states, houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes pairs of attached houses, rather than the extensive rows of terrace houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs. Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Low level of authenticity as the form is intact but it has undergone numerous alterations.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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