HOUSE, 18 STEVENS STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 18 Stevens Street, is an altered rendered masonry and iron single storey with loft house dating from 1897. 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.

Physical Description

18 Stevens Street is an altered rendered masonry and iron building. Originally constructed as a single storey shop and attached residence, the place has been converted to a single residence with a second storey loft addition. The former shop section of the building is located on the corner of Stevens Street and Bellevue Terrace. It was constructed close to the boundaries of these two streets. The walls are rendered masonry and the roof hipped corrugated iron with a fibro loft extension. Windows are timber framed and a mix of casement and double hung sashes. There is a timber and iron awning over the front windows. Set back from the former shop front wall is the residence with rendered masonry walls, corrugated iron roof and a separate verandah with corrugated iron roof and square timber posts. There is a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary.

History

Stevens Street was originally known as Church Street c1900, the boundary of the old Alma St Church of England Cemetery. It changed to Stephen Street in c1930. In 1962 spelling was changed to Stevens Street, probably to honour Jimmy Stevens, Councillor (1905-1929; 1929-1943). This place has had various street numbers since its construction. The building was constructed in 1897 for the owner Julia Rowe and occupied by Henry Rowe a builder. Henry Rowe may have been the builder of the place but no evidence has been found to support this conclusion. Henry Rowe later became the owner of the property and leased the property to George Edinger, grocer and then Leopold Bowden, wharf labourer. In 1902/03, the property was transferred to John Bateman who leased out the property to various tenants. Bateman was a prominent merchant and land owner, he was a Fremantle City Councillor 1880 – 1882 and President of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce. Among the tenants in this period were Francis George Hicks, grocer; Mary Elizabeth Long, storekeeper; Bacon & Jones, storekeeper; Edgar A Jones; and Edward Alfred Jones. The 1908 sewerage plan of this site shows that this building is in two parts; one is stone on the east side and the other was galvanised iron. These two buildings abut and have verandahs at the front and a galvanised iron addition stretches across the rear of both buildings. In the back yard of the lot were two timber buildings and a timber closet. The stone building is located right on the boundary of the lot well forward of any adjacent buildings suggesting it was a store. In the 1920s the place was owned and occupied by Albert Cole. Mattie Edith Thompson owned 76 Stephen Street in 1930/31 and the occupier was Hampton Gardner. The place is referred to as a shop and residence. Mattie Thompson owned the place until the early 1950s during which time the occupants were Samuel Gordon Fleming and then Kathleen Chalmers. In 1960-64, the place was referred to as a residence and was owned by Vito and Alma Contuzzi, and occupied by Joseph Hollas. Later owners have been; Stewart and Kerry Cook; and David Fosdick. Further research may establish when the place ceased to be used as a shop. This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Brown: "Positively contributing to the built environment") A photograph of the place in 1978 shows that the shop and residence have been integrated into one building with little indication that the portion aligning on Bellevue Terrace is a former shop. The building is rendered and has a tile roof; awnings are positioned over the front windows. The retaining wall for the front verandah appears to be original limestone construction. The balustrades are a later addition. Information from 2002 real estate notices indicate that the building had been extended and renovated, including the addition of a loft and extension at the rear. A small cellar did remain from its original use as a shop and the internal spaces of the building had been combined to form a more open planned style. The building was being used as a residence at that time. A garage had been built on the western side of the lot.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some 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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