Sutton Lodge

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance: • For its aesthetic value as a fine example of a well-designed Federation Queen Anne villa with decorative Italianate details, designed to a style and scale suited to the professional/business classes. • For its aesthetic contribution to the Thomas Street streetscape and wider character of Subiaco. • For its association as the long-term family home of the Mazzucchelli family who established a jewellery business in Boulder in 1903 and later expanded to numerous stores across Western Australia. The dwelling remained the family home for approximately 80 years. • For its historic value as a demonstration of the period in which Subiaco and Shenton Park underwent rapid development in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

Sutton Lodge, 247 Thomas Street is a single storey brick dwelling with a corrugated steel hip and gable roof displaying characteristics of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture with decorative Italianate details. The place is located on the north-west side of Thomas Street. The place has an asymmetrical form with a projecting gable bay addressing the street. The hipped roof has three painted brick chimneys with rendered moulding. The projecting gable has decorative timber bargeboards with turned pendant details and a timber finial. To the front of the main gable is a facetted bay window with a separate gable end and matching timber details. The facetted bay features an ornate niche with decorative moulding and a central ornamental trophy sculpture. The lower gable has a small arched recess with decorative moulding details. A separate skillion verandah extends along the building façade, returning along the north-east elevation. The verandah is supported by square timber posts atop rendered masonry columns. The verandah has ornate filigree iron valance and decorative brackets. The verandah has a raised floor with tile finish. A portion of the north-east verandah return has been enclosed. The external walls are painted brick on a painted limestone base. There are painted stone quoins to the building corners. The front facade has a timber panelled entry door with half glazed sidelights and highlights. The facetted bay contains a series of double hung windows with external security screens. The front yard is predominantly covered with concrete. There are small trees and mature shrubs that partially obscure the dwelling from the street. The property is enclosed to Thomas Street by a low painted brick and stone fence. A concrete driveway extends along the north-east boundary line.

History

In the PO Directory of 1901, only 1 family was listed along the Subiaco section of Thomas Street, increasing to 19 by 1905. By 1910, 30 houses had been built, increasing to around 45 by 1920. During this period this area was promoted as offering the benefits of being elevated, close to the city, adjacent to Kings Park, and within reasonable proximity to trams along either Rokeby Road or Hay Street. As such this street attracted the construction of Federation era villa residences by professional and businessmen. The house at 247 Thomas Street was originally known as 157 Thomas Street until c.1917. It was first listed in the PO Directories in 1909, when Albert E Mallan (dentist) was identified as the primary occupant until 1917. The house sits within a precinct shaped by proximity to Kings Park and the Subiaco industrial corridor, where modest villas and bungalows were built to accommodate professionals and tradespeople. In c.1921, the house was purchased by Matthew Mazzucchelli and his wife Clara. Matthew and Clara, lived in the property together for 80 years, raising twin daughters Beryl and Thelma. The property remained in the family until 2003 and was known as “Sutton Lodge”. Matthew Mazzucchelli, a watchmaker, and Sam Downes, a jeweller, began a business partnership in Boulder in 1903. In 1921, the Mazzucchelli family moved to Perth settling in Sutton Lodge after the rich gold was exhausted in the goldfields and Kalgoorlie suffered a depression. The Mazzucchelli’s re-established their watchmaking and jewellery business in Perth and the name currently remains strongly associated with the jewellery industry in Western Australia. Aerial imagery indicates that in c.2013 the lot was subdivided and the former servants’ quarters to the rear demolished. As of 2025, the rear lot has yet to be developed. In 2014, the concrete tile roof was replaced with corrugated steel sheets. It is likely the tiles were an addition in the mid twentieth century.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High Authenticity - Moderate- High: The external brickwork has been painted and the northern verandah enclosed.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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