WOOL STORES, 219-221 SOUTH TERRACE

Statement of Significance

Commercial Building, 219-221 South Terrace, is a typical corrugated iron single storey building dating from c 1940. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of a commercial building in the Fremantle area.

Physical Description

219-221 South Terrace is a single storey galvanised iron former wool store building now converted into residential apartments and showrooms. The building has a saw tooth roof with aluminium framed windows. A rendered masonry façade with a suspended awning has been constructed to the South Terrace side of the building.

History

By 1897, there was a four roomed cottage and workshop on the lot, owned and occupied by Mr H J Locke, a cabinet maker. By 1901, the property was listed as a dwelling and factory. In 1910, Charles Locke became the owner of Lots 84, 85 and 87 and by 1914, there was a factory and showrooms on the lot. Charles Locke continued to expand his holdings in the area by purchasing cottages on Lot 89 in King William Street. A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated c. 1910 shows a roughly square brick building facing Mandurah Road (South Terrace). The lot was marked ‘C & H Locke’ on the plan and there was ‘timber store’ marked at the rear of the yard. To the corner of South Terrace and King William Street, there was a long building, with a brick and weatherboard front and long galvanised iron rear. This structure was marked ‘factory’. A fire in 1925 destroyed Locke’s properties and in 1926, the factory was rebuilt (incorporating Lot 89). Another fire in 1940 meant rebuilding the factory again. The first stage of the factory was rebuilt on Lots 87, 88 and 89. A separate factory building was erected on Lots 84 and 85 in 1946. Locke’s Ltd produced furniture and bedding at the site until 1960, when it was bought by Strickland Taylor & Co. Locke and Co continued to operate at another location until the 1980s. Herbert and Charles Locke were brothers and partners in a business that eventually became Locke’s Furniture Manufacturing Company and finally Locke’s Ltd. Herbert Locke retired to a building career in 1920. Charles Lock died in 1946. In 1972, Itoh & Co purchased the property, taking over from Western Livestock. Itoh and Co were wool merchants. In 1997, the factory (then known as Wool Stores) was converted to four apartments facing King William Street and three showrooms opening onto South Terrace. This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993.

Integrity/Authenticity

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

Condition

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

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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