DUPLEX, 38 ATTFIELD STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street is a typical limestone, brick and iron / tile single storey elevated duplex pair dating from 1906/07. 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

Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street is a single storey limestone, brick and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. It is part of a group of six originally identical duplex cottages, all having subsequently undergone alterations to the front facade. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is gabled with a dividing parapet wall and clad with corrugated iron to no. 36 and tiles to no. 38. The gable ends have decorative timber detailing. The original corbelled chimney is intact to no. 36. The front facade to each duplex half has a front door with fanlight and a double hung sash window. The front verandahs are under a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof to no. 36 and a pitched tiled roof to no. 38. Both verandah roofs are supported by round steel posts. The duplexes are raised above the ground level at the front boundary and there are two separate sets of concrete steps leading up to the verandah level. No. 36 has a low level rendered and face brick wall to the front boundary with a grassed garden area behind. No 38 has a brick paved parking area and no boundary fence.

History

Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street was formerly 42-44 Attfield Street. Numbers changed in 1935/36. Duplex, 36-38 Attfield Street is one of three that was built in 1906/07 for Mary Ferres as an investment property. It is noted in some sources that the duplexes were built for the staff of the private home which subsequently became the Skye private hospital. The duplex was leased out to various tenants over the years. In the first year of its construction Elizabeth Kierel occupied this residence. Later occupants were Frank Renshaw, Thomas Joseph Condon, and Henry C Stephens. The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this brick duplex is one of three duplexes built adjacent to each other at 36/38, 40/42 and 44/46. Their similarity of form suggests they were all built at the same time for the same owner and probably the same builder. The duplex have a simple rectangular form and each dwelling has a front and rear verandah. A pedestrian access way is located between the three dwellings. In the back yard of each dwelling was a brick closet. A stone wall is apparent on the front boundary and all the other boundaries are fenced. Photographic evidence from the 1940s shows that the stone duplex had tuckpointed brick quoining on a stone façade, turned verandah posts and balustrades. Decorative lace work was also present on the bullnosed verandah. Access stairs to the verandah were timber. The verandah roof had alternating dark and light coloured sheets of corrugated iron. A stone, masonry and timber fence was present on the front boundary with a cyclone mesh gate. A picket fence was on the side boundary and the back yard had a high timber fence. A photograph of the place c.1980 shows that the roof had been replaced with tiles, and the verandah posts and balustrades had been replaced with metal posts and decorative metal work. The front façade had been painted. The verandah and access stairs were concrete. Information from a 1992 real estate article indicates that the interior of the place had been renovated and the façade had been restored to its original finish of stone and brickwork.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium to high degree of integrity (original intent 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

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update