Shenton Park Conservation Area

Child Places

• 25886 House
• 24282 House, 49 Smyth Road, Shenton Park
• 25978 House
• 25876 House
• 25875 House
• 25880 House
• 25885 House
• 25884 House
• 25881 House
• 25888 House
• 25883 House
• 25879 House
• 25881 House
• 25885 House
• 25874 House
• 25890 House
• 25891 House
• 25875 House
• 25877 House
• 25883 House
• 25876 House
• 25878 House
• 25890 House
• 25889 House
• 25972 House
• 25880 House
• 25769 House, 8 John Street, Shenton Park
• 25882 House
• 25879 House
• 25884 House
• 25764 House, 142 Aberdare Road, Shenton Park
• 25882 House
• 25891 House
• 25887 House
• 25887 House
• 25878 House
• 25888 House
• 25874 House
• 25886 House
• 25889 House
• 25877 House

Statement of Significance

Shenton Park is significant as the area bounded by Nicholson Road, Winthrop Avenue, Aberdare Road and Railway Road with a history of residential settlement dating back to the late nineteenth century. The area is significant for:
Aboriginal associations with the area now known as Shenton Park Lake;
the origins of the Subiaco Football Club originally based at Shenton Park Lake;
its concentration of intact residential buildings from the late nineteenth to the mid twentieth century;
its streetscapes of timber framed weatherboard and iron houses in the area south of Onslow Road;
the role of the Workers' Homes Board in the development of housing in the area;
its emergence as a prestigious residential area in the last two decades of the twentieth century resulting in examples of conservation of existing housing stock and the construction of contemporary infill development of considerable architectural quality.

Physical Description

The Shenton Park Conservation Area includes the area identified in City of Subiaco Town Planning Scheme as the Shenton Park Precinct. The area is bounded by Nicholson Road to the north, Winthrop Avenue to the east, Aberdare Road to the south and Railway Road to the west.
Broadly the area comprises two zones exhibiting different patterns of development; the area to the south of Onslow Road and the area to the north of Onslow Road.
The area as a whole is subdivided on a rectangular grid of roads and lots. Three major roads run in an east/west direction (Nicholson Road, Onslow Road and Aberdare Road) and minor roads span between these in a north south direction. As a result the majority of residential lots are oriented east/west and located on the minor roads. The exception to this is the north west part of the area, west of Shenton Park Lake, where residential lots are oriented north/south addressing roads oriented east/west.
The area north of Onslow Road has a similar development pattern to the area designated as West Subiaco. Generally roads are wide with grass verges and concrete slab pavements. There is regular planting of mature street trees of various species which contribute to the quality of the streetscapes. Houses are generally set back equally from the street but with sufficient area for front gardens. The majority of the area is served by back lanes which are commonly used for parking. Some houses, however, have garages and carports accessed from the street. Fences were traditionally low (900mm - 1200mm) post and woven wire, brick or pickets. Some more recent higher (1800mm) fences have been constructed.
The area contains a number of early homes although there have also been areas of recent redevelopment. Traditional houses are single storey masonry or rendered masonry construction with corrugated iron or tiled roofs, and porches or verandahs. Typically houses are of the Federation Bungalow or Queen Anne style with some more recent Inter-War Californian Bungalow style homes, particularly at the western end of the area. There are a number of timber framed weatherboard and iron houses in the area, however they are generally interspersed with masonry homes, except in William and Henry Streets where there are groups of timber homes.
South of Onslow Road the character of the area changes. Streets are generally narrower with narrow street verges and pavements on both sides. Mature street trees contribute to the area. This area is characterised by narrow blocks with houses built close to the street frontage, and fairly intact streets of timber framed, weatherboard and iron houses, some dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.
SEE ALSO SEPARATE ENTRIES FOR PLACES WITHIN THIS CONSERVATION AREA.

History

Originally, the area around Shenton Park Lake was a favourite gathering place for Aboriginal people. Shenton Park was originally known as West Subiaco. The Rosalie Park (originally spelt Rosalea) land release in the north east portion of the precinct east of Hensman Road, and the City of Perth Estate (1896) bounded by Commercial, Onslow, Herbert and Aberdare were the first areas to develop. There was also the Subiaco Highlands Estate bounded by Hilda, Onslow, Derby and Aberdare. West Subiaco, like Jolimont, was perceived as isolated from the heart of Subiaco, with most facilities being north of Hamersley Road. After 1910, Shenton Park's development was boosted by construction through the Workers' Homes Act 1912.
The commercial strip developed along Onslow Road, and also Nicholson Road, where the Shenton Park Hotel was built in 1907. The Shenton Picture Gardens opposite from 1920s provided local entertainment for many years. The Rosalie Primary School opened in 1906. The Subiaco Football Club was originally based at Shenton Park Lake, and it was assumed that the recreation area would develop as the municipality's main sporting facility. However, the football club relocated to Mueller Park in 1908.
Onslow Road was gazetted by 1883 and named after Sir A C Onslow, Chief Justice. Waylen Road was named after Dr Alfred Waylen, Colonial Surgeon. Derby Road was named after Lord Derby, Secretary for Colonies. Hensman Road was named after Mr A P Hensman, Judge and Attorney General.
(Sources: Wise's Post Office Directory 1905-1925; Real Estate Maps, Battye Library Collection; Spillman, Ken, Identity Prized: A History of Subiaco, City of Subiaco, UWA Press, 1985, pp. 146-150; Chate, A, H., History of Subiaco, c1952.)

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Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.