House

Statement of Significance

The place at 15 Aberdeen Street has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place was one of the first houses to be constructed in Aberdeen Street dating to c1888 and that is still extant along with 24 Aberdeen Street built at a similar time. The place is associated with Alexander Moir an early settler to Albany and well-known business and local government identity and whose other developments are significant to the Stirling Terrace heritage precinct and the Albany Club in Aberdeen Street. The place is a significant as part of a group of historic houses/buildings in Aberdeen Street built from 1880s to early 1900s that have heritage value both individually and as part of a streetscape, comprising a complimentary mix of residential and institutional buildings many of which were converted very early to commercial use to form an important commercial business district of the historic townsite.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Strong contribution to Victorian/Federation streetscape • High pitched hipped roof with metal sheet cladding • Prominent rendered chimneys with moulded tops • Separate skillion verandah along south side (front) and east (street) • The front façade addresses Peels Place • Double hung timber sash windows Some obvious modifications include: • External paint scheme • Removal of 3 chimneys • Additions/infill to north elevation (rear) • Possibly modifications to front verandah – including addition of criss-cross balustrading • Original perimeter timber/rail/brush fence replaced with • Granite retaining wall

History

The former house at 15 Aberdeen St was constructed in the early-mid 1880s – possibly around 1886. The Rate book for 1890 shows Lot 100 was owned by Alexander Moir and occupied by Alex Blackbourne suggesting Moir leased the place and did not actually live in it. Moir was born in 1826 in Markinch, Fifeshire, Scotland. He came to Albany in 1852 with his three brothers - Andrew, George and John – initially to work for Mr Cheyne. As well as successful farming pursuits, John and Alexander in particular became well-known merchants with businesses along Stirling Terrace. In 1854, Alexander Moir married Catherine, the Rev. John Wollaston’s housekeeper (Wollaston House in Duke Street) and they had 13 children. By 1861 Alex Moir had started trading from his first house in Stirling Tce (now the site of the George Hotel) until he constructed Edinburgh House and Glasgow House. In c1865, they built their new family home named ‘Aberdeen House’ in Stirling Terrace which later adapted to become the Royal George Hotel. This place at 15 Aberdeen St is one of Moir’s holding in Aberdeen Street, another being what became the Albany Club in 1894 next door. As well as his merchant business, Moir was Chairman of Plantagenet Road Board. Catherine Moir died in 1886 and Moir died in 1893. Their son John Moir continued running the Moir business. In the 1940s/50s Tom and Gertrude Ferrell lived here, Tom Ferrell dying at his home in January 1951. Today the place is used as commercial offices.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High-moderate Authenticity: High-moderate Some obvious modifications include: • External paint scheme • Removal of 3 chimneys • Additions/infill to north elevation (rear) • Possibly modifications to front verandah – including addition of criss-cross balustrading • Original perimeter timber/rail/brush fence replaced with • Granite retaining wall

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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