HOUSE, 118 ATTFIELD STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 118 Attfield Street, is a brick and iron single storey house dating from c 1900. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. The place is a fine example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture.

Physical Description

118 Attfield Street is a single storey, brick and iron house with an asymmetrical façade built c.1900 designed as an example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture. The walls are face brick. The roof is hipped and gabled and clad with corrugated iron. There is a protruding front room with bay window under the gabled roof. There are two gables with decorative timber finials. The verandah is under a separate corrugated iron roof which wraps around the front façade and bay and is supported by timber posts with decorative timber brackets. There are two brick corbelled chimneys evident. The house is situated at street level. There is a wall to the front boundary line made of iron and rendered masonry pillars.

History

Attfield St is named after Dr George Attfield, Imperial Surgeon 1854-1879, who qualified in London in 1850. He attended Fremantle Gaol and was Superintendent at Fremantle Lunatic Asylum. Attfield married a daughter of Surveyor-General Roe. He died in Brighton UK c1923. The street was developed from the late 1890s, with the majority of the houses dating from the first two decades of the twentieth century.
By 1902, there was a cottage and stables at this address. The property was owned by R H Holmes and occupied by Alexander Watson, a manager. Mr Holmes was living in the house by 1912.
A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated c. 1910 shows a large brick house the front bay windows protected by a verandah. There was a full length rear verandah and several weatherboard outbuildings extending along the northern boundary fence.
In the lot to the north, there was a large roofed stable and several galvanised iron structures. However, the stables were associated with 37 Lilly Street, not 118 Attfield Street. The Lilly St house and stables (ie 2 back to back lots) were all fenced as one – this fence was quite substantial and was probably built of limestone.
In 1922, House, 118 Attfield Street was owned by Isabella Curven. In 1960, title passed to Gladys Curven. Gladys was still the owner in 1991.
This place was included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle. It was also 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).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.