HOUSE, 65 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

House, 65 Wray Avenue, is a typical face brick, rendered masonry banded and tile single storey house dating from 1925. 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 Inter War Californian Bungalow style of architecture.

Physical Description

65 Wray Avenue is a single storey, face brick, rendered masonry and tile house with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Inter War Californian Bungalow style of architecture. The walls are red face brick with rendered banding. The roof is hipped and clad with tiles. The verandah is under a continuous tiled roof supported by rendered masonry piers. The symmetrical facade has a central front door flanked on either side by timber framed casement windows. There is a rendered masonry and metal wall to the front boundary line. In 2007 the place is a veterinary clinic.

History

Wray Avenue was originally Hampton Street. The named was changed to avoid confusion with the intersecting Hampton Road. It became Alexander Road, after Laurence Alexander, Mayor 1901-1902, and a representative of Falk & Co. The street name was again changed to avoid confusion with Alexandra Road in East Fremantle, and became Wray Avenue in 1923. It was named for William E Wray, at one time with the Education Dept as Truant Inspector, and a resident of the street. He was on the Fremantle Tramways Board and Mayor of Fremantle, 1914-1918. Builder R. Bracks built this house in 1925 for owner Ruby Lillian Forrest. The value of the property at that time was £700. The occupier of the property is recorded as William James Forrest. No biographical information relating to William or Ruby Forrest was found in the available resources. By 1951 the property had been transferred to the owner and occupier Antonio Buongiorno. In 1960, Antonio Buongiorno submitted plans for the extension and renovation of the house. Architects for this extension were Allen and Nicholas of Fremantle. The plans indicate several alterations including demolition of the rear timber portion of the house and reconstruction in brick. The corrugated iron roof was replaced with Bristile terra cotta tiles and the roof timbers were strengthened to accommodate this change. It is likely that the current concrete verandah posts were installed at this time. In 1969, plans for a garage at the rear of the lot were submitted by Antonio Buongiorno. This plan was prepared by John Feeney of Willagee. Later evidence indicates that the extension and the garage were completed although no date of completion was found in the Fremantle building department files. This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Yellow: "20th century significant buildings contributing positively to the built environment") In 1988, a proposal for the demolition of the house at that time had been put forward as part of the redevelopment of the adjacent Beacon Theatre. The Fremantle council considered that the streetscape value of the house was considered to be greater than its aesthetic or heritage value and urged that demolition be reconsidered. In 1995, the place was occupied by a veterinary practice. In 2007 the place is a veterinary clinic.

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).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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