Bant Residence (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance: • This place is a good example of a well designed and detailed “gentleman’s villa” of Subiaco dating from the Inter-War period. • This place has aesthetic value as a good representative example of a well designed California Bungalow of the Inter-War era. • The place has historic value for its association with William Horace (Horrie) Bant and his family who owned and managed Bants Furniture store from premises nearby; originally on Rokeby Road and later in the lot immediately west at 294 Barker Road. • It is a representative example of the adaptation of some of Subiaco’s large Inter-War residences for alternative uses, reflecting changes in the local community over time.

Physical Description

• Single storey red brick and tile residential building now in commercial use. • Pair of terracotta pots to chimney. • Scroll finials to gables and gablets. • Two dragon finials to lower pitched gables over verandah. • Timber trim to gables. • Smooth rendered verandah wall with rendered copings and caps supporting timber verandah posts. • Tiled awnings over main windows. • Recent canvas awnings to verandah gables

History

While the Subiaco area was subdivided into Perth Suburban Lots in 1883 the population of the district had only risen to around 100 by 1895. In the mid 1890s the significant population growth that flowed from gold discoveries in Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie placed increasing stress on the existing housing market in Perth. It was the opportunities that this provided for the owners of the large tracts of relatively undeveloped residential land in Subiaco that finally commenced the transformation of Subiaco from bush to suburb. In the early twentieth century the area that is now known as the ‘Subiaco Triangle Precinct’ attracted the construction of a range of dwellings, including timber cottages, semi-detached houses, two to three bedroom free-standing brick dwellings and substantial villas. This former residence was built c1928 for William Horace (Horrie) Bant (c1883-1957) and his wife Evelyn May, nee Styles (c1884-1951). The couple had married in 1909 in Subiaco and lived all their married life there. Horrie ran 'Bants Furniture Store' onRokeby Road and later alongside at 294 Barker Road. Before the house was built there is no evidence to show that there was any residential development on the site although A.J. Machin did operate his plumbing business from this site. Horrie and Evelyn Bant, had five children and the couple lived at the house until the 1950s. Horrie staying on in the house after Evelyn's death in 1951. The place appears to have continued to be used as a residence for some years and subsequently converted to office premises. The additions to the rear of the building and the opening of the access to rear laneway to enable parking appears to have occurred in the late 1980s. The place continues to be used for office premises.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - Moderate - based on a streetscape view the interventions to create office spaces has changed the original layout as a residence. Authenticity - High: The original external detailing of the building is largely intact and/or sympathetically restored/extended, and the place has been well maintained.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in fair to good condition.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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