House

Statement of Significance

The place has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: • As a representative example of the application of materials and detailing which were derived from the Federation Queen Anne style, but which were applied in a more restrained manner that suited the budgets and expectations of the middle classes in Subiaco during the early twentieth century. • For its historic value as a demonstration of the period in which Subiaco underwent rapid development in the early 20th century. • For its aesthetic contribution to a largely intact streetscape of early twentieth century houses.

Physical Description

74 Heytesbury Road has a simple symmetrical facade to the Heytesbury Road frontage and a large two storey extension at the rear of the original house, along the Campbell Street frontage. The house is set back approximately 4m from the front boundary, which is defined by a low rendered masonry wall, with large rendered masonry piers and tall, vertical-bar infill panels. This is backed by several large rose bushes, which extend above the height of the fence and largely screen the front of the house from view. Views are further restricted by the tall, solid panel gate to the entrance path. The hipped roof over the original section of the house is clad with corrugated metal sheeting and features two chimneys with projecting moulded cornices. A separate bull-nosed verandah roof extends across the main façade. This verandah has relatively simple detailing, with square posts and lacework brackets and valance. The walls to the Heytesbury Road and Campbell Street frontages have been fully rendered (but were probably originally face brick). Along the front façade there is a centrally located entrance with a sidelight and stained glass highlight. French doors open onto the verandah from the rooms on either side of the central hall. Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in good condition.

History

Perth Suburban Lot 253 was purchased by John Brandon, John Thomas Lawler and Thomas Tate of Sydney in October 1889 and, about six months later, it was transferred to Thomas Read of Sydney, solicitor. Read did not develop the 5 acre site and it was on-sold to the Intercolonial Investment Land and Building Company of Sydney in October 1897. Building lots in Deposited Plan 1933 began to be sold along the Rokeby Road frontage of PSL 253 from May 1898 and the first sites within this part of the study area (Lots 31 and 32 on Campbell Street) were transferred to a new owner in June 1899. Lot 23 was sold to David Charles Pryce in February 1901, but the Subiaco Rates Books show that a house was not built until c.1903/04, by which time the owner was W J Hooper, builder. It seems very likely that this is the house advertised for sale in April 1904: AGAIN we are in the market with one of those modern five-roomed BRICK VILLAS (dining-room 19 x 14, other rooms 14 x 12), large hall, with lead lights, bath, pantry, washhouse, large lobby, and front verandah, the best position in Subiaco, being corner Campbell-street and Heytesbury road, two minutes from Gardens and Post Office. Price. £575; £75 deposit, balance as small rent. Apply on the Building. HOOPER and RASMUSSEN, Builders and Owners. No Building Society or Agents. Note: Hooper and Rasmussen, builders offered several houses for sale in Subiaco in the period 1903 to 1912. An early twentieth century plan indicates that this was one of the first two houses built in the whole of the study area (together with 104 Heytesbury Road). 74 Heytesbury Road was purchased by E J Stewart (a veterinary surgeon) during 1904 and he lived here from c.1905-1910, before offering the house for sale in July 1910: FOR SALE, Five-roomed Brick House, lawns back and front, brick stable, asphalt paths, gravel yard, and all modern conveniences. On offer for cash or terms for one week only. An absolute bargain. Apply on spot 74 HEYTESBURY-ROAD. SUBIACO. It was then purchased by Frank Richards and occupied by the Richards family for a few years before it became the home of the Macnamara family in c.1916. It was initially occupied by Mary Macnamara while her son, Sydney was on active service during WWI. During this period Sydney married May Cable of Surrey England, returning to Australia with May and their son Sydney, jnr, in 1920. The extended family then lived in the house until Mary’s death in August 1923, after which it remained Sydney’s family home for the rest of his life. When May died in 1941 her obituary noted that she had “devoted her time and interest to numerous social activities, being vice-president of the Subiaco Red Cross, and an active member of the Subiaco Women's Auxiliary of the R.S.L.; National Rose Society, and was interested in the Subiaco Library and Literary Institute. She was organist at the Bagot-road Methodist Church, and was an accomplished pianist.” Sydney, who was a clerk with the South British Insurance Company Ltd, continued to live at 74 Heytesbury Road until the late 1960s and, during his years at Subiaco, was very active in the RSL, the Subiaco Horticultural Society and the National Rose Society. He died in Perth in 1970, aged 77 years. Occupants of the property from its time of construction until c.1970 included: 1904 G Hall 1905-1910 E J Stewart, veterinary surgeon 1911-1915 Frank Richards, salesman (by 1914 he was Managing Director of the Greater Perth Motor Parcels Express Company) 1916-post 1967 Sydney Alfred Macnamara, clerk, South British Insurance Company Ltd (later a bank officer)

Integrity/Authenticity

The rendering of the main façade has impacted on the authenticity and traditional character of the place. However, the underlying form remains consistent with the original design.

Condition

Based on a streetscape inspection the building appears to be in a good condition.

Creation Date

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