DUPLEX, 44 ATTFIELD STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 44-46 Attfield Street is a typical rendered limestone, brick and iron single storey elevated duplex pair dating from 1906/07. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Duplex, 44-46 Attfield Street is a single storey limestone, brick and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. It is part of a group of six originally identical duplex cottages, all having subsequently undergone alterations to the front facade. The walls are limestone with brick quoins with smooth render over the limestone and brick. The roof is gabled with a dividing parapet wall and clad with corrugated iron to both. The gable ends have decorative timber detailing. The front facade to each duplex half has a front door with fanlight and replacement windows to each. The front verandahs are under separate roofs with a corrugated iron bullnose roof supported by square timber posts on brick piers and rendered brick balustrade to no. 44 and a flat metal deck roof supported by pairs of round steel posts with a metal balustrade to no. 46. The duplexes are raised above the ground level at the front boundary and there are two separate sets of concrete steps leading up to the verandah level. No. 46 has a brick paved parking area and no boundary fence. No. 44 has a low level rendered brick wall to the front boundary with a garden area behind.

History

Duplex, 44-46 Attfield Street was formerly 50/52 Attfield Street. Numbers changed in1935/36. Duplex, 44-46 Attfield Street is one of three that was built in 1906/07 for Mary Ferres as an investment property. It is noted in some sources that the duplexes were built for the staff of the private home which subsequently became the Skye private hospital. Ferres owned the property until at least the 1930s. The duplex was leased out to various tenants over the years. In the first year of its construction Elias Norling, a contractor occupied this residence. Later occupants were Thomas John Tuckett, Jane McCaw and Albert Williams. The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this brick duplex is one of three duplexes built adjacent to each other at 36/38, 40/42 and 44/46. Their similarity of form suggests they were all built at the same time for the same owner and probably the same builder. The duplex have a simple rectangular form and each dwelling has a front and rear verandah. A pedestrian access way is located between the three dwellings. In the back yard of each dwelling was a brick closet. A stone wall is apparent on the front boundary and all the other boundaries are fenced. A new toilet was installed inside the building in 1914. Photographic evidence from the 1940s of some of the others in this series of stone duplexes had tuckpointed brick quoining and turned verandah posts and balustrades. Decorative lace work was also present on the bullnosed verandah. The verandah roof had alternating dark and light coloured sheets of corrugated iron. A stone, masonry and timber fence was present on the front boundary with a cyclone mesh gate. A picket fence was on the side boundary and the back yard had a high timber fence. The stairs to the verandah were timber. It is assumed that this duplex had similar finish and detailing. A photograph of the place in c.1980 shows that the corrugated iron roof for the main building and verandah will still in evidence although the design of the verandah roof had been changed to a flat sloped style. The verandah had been enclosed with a masonry balustrade height wall and pillars. A timber pergola had been constructed in the front yard. The front façade had been painted and the foundations rendered. The verandah is concrete is concrete and the access stairs also concrete. Prior to 1982, a brick studio had been constructed in the back yard. By 1987, the rear of the building had been extended to create a new kitchen and dining room and bathroom. The rear studio had been converted to create a guesthouse. This place was included on the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium to high degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining but with some alterations. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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