House

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance: • As a good representative example of the many 4-5 room brick homes which were built in Subiaco during the early twentieth century to meet the needs and aspirations of middle-class residents such as public servants, senior office workers, small business owners, skilled tradesmen and single/widowed women of private means. • As a good representative example of the application of materials and detailing which were derived from the Federation Queen Anne style, but which were applied in a more restrained manner that suited the budgets and expectations of the middle classes in Subiaco during the early twentieth century. • For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact group of early twentieth century houses. • For its association with the rapid development of Subiaco in the early 20th century and the small scale development by local builders.

Physical Description

• Traditional asymmetric single storey house of Federation Queen Anne style. • Brick construction with tuckpoint finish and rendered string courses. • Roughcast render gable with timbered detailing. • Hipped roof with gable to the projecting wing. • Timber casement windows. • Bullnose verandah positioned below main roof, supported on turned timber posts with decorative frieze. • Small front garden enclosed by brick wall with timber picket fence.

History

Subiaco's population increased significantly in the 1890s due to an economic depression in the eastern states and the discovery of gold in Western Australia. In the late 1890s, property developers bought large landholdings for subdivision in the Perth metropolitan area. The subdivisions were generally simple grid pattern developments with small lots for occupancy by working families. Subiaco was a popular and logical location for development and the increase in population and demand for services led to the proclamation of Subiaco as a municipality in 1897. A subdivision plan for this portion of Francis Street was approved in 1891 but there appears to have been little development until the 1900s when Francis Street developed rapidly over the next decade. From the readily available information this place was constructed in c1913. The first occupant was commission agent, Thomas Mitchell Penberthy (c1883-1961) and his wife Alice Ethel, nee Stone (c1883-1923). The Penberthys may have been the owners and instigated the construction of the house but no information has been found to determine the builder. After the Penberthys left the place had a number of occupants until the 1930s when baker John Destin Bassett (c1910-1970) and his wife Kathleen Christine, nee McDiarmid (c1914-1988) moved in. Members of the Bassett family lived at the house until the late 1960s. A plan of the lot prepared in 1927 and reviewed in 1955 for the purpose of planning sewerage and water supply services shows that the residence has been extended to the rear, replacing a verandah across the full width of the back elevation. Aerial photographs of the place since the mid 20th century indicate that the place was clad with galvanised corrugated iron. In the mid 1980s, the roof cladding was replaced with red corrugated metal sheeting. The extent and form of the original residence are still clearly evident.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity - High: The place continues to be used as a private residence. Authenticity - High: The original/significant external fabric of the building is largely intact.

Condition

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

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update