House (Demolished)

Statement of Significance

The place was of historic significance because it reflects the way of life of the working people of Perth in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place was of aesthetic significance as an integral component of a group of residential buildings representing the pattern of settlement in Perth form the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. The place was of aesthetic significance as an example of a residential building dating from period around the turn of the century. The increasing affluence of the community following the gold boom is reflected in the increased use of decoration. The place was a representative of a residential property in Perth dating from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. The place represented the changing character of the Perth community from the post gold rush settlement period the period of settlement by various ethnic communities, to the present. The place was of social significance because of it contributes to the community's sense of place.

Physical Description

Single storey residential building with hipped roof and corbelled chimneys. The rendered brick has an ash like effect with a rusticated quoining effect to the corners and a central arch to the entry. The front verandah has been enclosed with fibrous (asbestos) cement panels with aluminium framed windows. The original house remains largely intact behind the facade. Former stable building to the rear has been altered over the history of the building and is in poor condition. The interior of the building comprises a large central space with rooms on either side. The central area is the approximate width of two corridors however appears to have been constructed in this manner. The pressed metal ceiling with elaborate detailing appears from inspection to date from the time of construction of the building. Other details of the place are similar to adjacent Nos 54 and 56. One of a diminishing number of residential buildings dating from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in the Bennett Street/ /Goderich Street area.

History

Demolished 2003. Prior to the 1890s central Perth was characterised by numerous small shops and businesses located in amongst residential premises which included boarding houses and cottages. Following the gold boom of the 1890s there was substantial redevelopment of the centre of the city with the result that very few cottages or other small buildings from the earlier period remain extant. The homes built in Perth in the 1890s and early 1900s were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages they replaced. Although influence in their design by homes of Victoria in particular , due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states, houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes pairs of attached houses, rather than the extensive rows of terraced houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs. Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork. A group of Victorian residences at 52-58 Bennett Street dated from c. 1897. No. 58 was demolished in the late 1980s. No. 52 and semi-detached pair No. 54-56 were included on the 1999 draft local heritage survey. Aerial photos show that they were demolished in 2003.52 Bennett Street was built in 1898. [It was originally number 48, then 68, then 82, then 52 in c1907.] This building is believed to have been used for a boarding house for many years. The first resident was Charles Book, followed by Mrs Ellen Archibald [widow] from 1899 to c1905. Then c1907 long-term owners and residents, the Sloss family, resided there. Mr Othel Sloss was a sanitary contractor in the goldfields prior to moving to Perth. Relative Wilhelmina Sloss was a pioneer woman of the goldfields. Another relative, Moses Sloss, married the daughter of William Chipper, a likely relative of Don Chipper, undertaker, and Stephen Chipper, original owners of Lot E17 and portion of Lot E18, the location of 52 Bennett Street. This connection is likely how the land came to be transferred to Othel Sloss in 1905. Othel’s widowed wife Eliza Jane lived at No. 52 from 1908 to c1925. The place was then occupied by Miss Kate Davidson until c1936. New owner from 1946, Lewis J Polak operated the place as 'apartments' c. 1949, which could be interpreted as a boarding house. No. 54-56 Bennett Street is believed to have been used as a brothel during one period of its history. Both uses are likely. This part of East Perth was mostly rental accommodation, and around 1900 there were eleven boarding houses on Goderich, Hay and Bennett Streets alone, plus others on Wittenoom and Wellington Streets. East Perth in the 1980s was characterised by a newly arrived migrant population and low-income earners. It continued to have a large proportion of boarding houses and hostels and earned a reputation as an area for the homeless, derelict houses and industrial wasteland.

Integrity/Authenticity

Authenticity - Largely as originally constructed with modified street façade.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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