House - 3 CONGDON STREET

Statement of Significance

This house, with the rest of the group are examples of the Western Australian "Edwardian Filigree" style o
bungalow. A rare group virtually intact. They are part of the international late Art Nouveau style. Interior
detailing is very similar to the Viennese Secession and Glasgow School with which they are associated
and which had considerable impact via the Studio and other design magazines of the period. They are
geometric rather than curvilinear and associated with the arts and crafts/aesthetic movement style of
Voysey and others which influenced Art Nouveau. This house has rare detailing in its woodwork. It is
situated in mature well maintained gardens

Physical Description

1995 Comment: One of a rare group of Edwardian 'Queen Anne' filigree bungalows virtually intact.
"Edwardian Filigree" bungalow built in 1915 in the "Queen Anne" manner. The large house has a
multifaceted hipped iron roof with three gables, one across the south east corner where the bullnosed
verandah has been extended on an angle. The gables are half timbered with formal arches and rough
cast infill. The bargeboard has an additional fretted trim applied and heavy turned finials. The wooden
floored verandah has an ornate spindle frieze, turned posts and an unusual and ornate fretted
verandah railing. Built of tuck-pointed red brick it has bay windows, one set with diamond paned glass. /
small window has stained glass set into frosted roughcast glass, a side door has similar. The diagonal
bay has plain glass which may be a substitution as the grand daughter of the builder claims the current
owners have ruined it. Tall corbelled chimney stacks have plastered corbels and terracotta pots. Rear
additions include a carport and alterations under the skillion roof. The fence is not original. It replaces a
large clipped hedge.

Reason for Inclusion:
1. The place is of higher-order local cultural heritage significance, being classified as Category 2 in the Town’s Municipal Inventory (MI).
2. In 2005 the Town undertook a review of MI Category 2 places towards the Heritage List for LPS3. The study recommended that the property be retained as Category 2.
3. The place contributes to the character and amenity of the street, locality and overall district.

History

Menimee Holt, (Mrs Duffield, 9 Hillside Avenue, Cottesloe) states that it was built for her mother Mrs Davinia Holt nee
Riggs by her grandfather New Zealand architect builder Alfred Riggs. Rate books corroborate this. Davinia Holt owned
the land in 1913. She and her husband Bernard were living at the time in Windsor Street, Osborne. It was in her family
until it was sold to the current owners.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity virtually intact
Modifications Rear additions include a carport and alterations under the skillion roof. The fence is

Condition

Very Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

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.