House (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has historic and aesthetic significance for its Federation Queen Anne style of architecture. It is a reminder of the residential character of East Perth and represents the way of life of the working-class residents in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place has aesthetic significance because it contributes to the streetscape. Its significance is increased because it has survived surrounding development and is a rare remaining example of housing from this era of development in East Perth.

Physical Description

Single storey building, originally residential, with steeply pitched hipped roof. Prominent gable to street front with pebbledash half-timbered effect and timber brackets. Awning to front window supported on timber brackets. Verandah to entry under the main roof with decorative posts and brackets.

History

Although East Perth was included on the plan for Perth from earliest colonial surveys, the area remained substantially undeveloped until the period of expansion that accompanied the gold rush. Part of the area had been designated for cemetery purposes which probably detracted from its attractiveness for settlement. In the 1870s East Perth developed as a residential area, as the city population gradually increased. However, it underwent tremendous growth during the late-nineteenth century, which was a result of the gold boom. The increase in wealth encouraged speculative development of housing in Perth, Fremantle and other new areas close to these centres such as Subiaco, East Perth and North Perth. The homes built in Perth in the 1890s and early 1900s were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages they 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 terraced 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. There was a row of four houses on Hill Street opposite Wellington Square from 1909-1910.The Post Office Directory first lists No. 1925 in 1911. The Metropolitan Water Supply Survey plan (1950) shows them all extant, but by 1974, No. 27 has been demolished for a new building, and by 2000 the rest of the block had been demolished. Only No. 125 remains to show what the street was like historically. House (fmr), 125 Hill Street is a single storey Federation Queens Anne with a pitched hipped roof and a prominent gable to the street front with pebbledash half-timbered effect and timber brackets. The awning to the front window is supported on timber brackets, and the half-length verandah to the entry is part of the main roof, with decorative posts and brackets. Windows have decorative stucco sills and the front door has side and top lights.

Integrity/Authenticity

Low level of integrity. Medium level of authenticity. Largely as originally constructed with detail intact.

Condition

Good

Uses

Creation Date

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