Residence, 321 Cambridge Street

Statement of Significance

The place has aesthetic value as an example of an Inter War residence with original detail.

The place has historic value for its association with the development of Wembley in the Inter War period.

The place has social value for its demonstration of the form and scale of housing in the Inter War period.

Physical Description

Single storey brick and tiled residential property of traditional asymmetric plan form. The house is a simple example of an interwar Californian bungalow in a mixed-use street. The house has a generous setback and is located in the front third of the lot behind a lawned garden area with a low brick boundary wall. The lot has not been subdivided.

The house is of brick construction which is rendered to the upper two-thirds of the elevation and face brick to the lower third. A small verandah/porch area is located to the centre of the façade with a tiled canopy that extends across the projecting wing portion of the façade. The canopy is supported on broad rendered columns. The deck is painted concrete.

The main roof is hipped with additional hips to the projecting wing, the verandah area and the adjoining garage, all at the same pitch. The two windows to the front elevation are both casement ensembles comprising side hung panes flanking a central fixed pane.

History

This residence was constructed c1938 and first occupied by Frank G Burrows and later by Alfred Spooner and his wife Elizabeth. Information from the current [2018] owner states that the place was built by builder J H Glenn and the lot was owned by his wife Edith May Glenn. Additional research has determined that William Luitpold John Henry Glenn (1898-1972) was a builder who undertook many small building projects in the district. It is probable that the land was purchased by Glenn and his wife who built the home for immediate sale. This type of small development project was not uncommon.

Glenn may have been a competent builder but was not a good business man, who also enjoyed gambling, leading to several appearances in local courts and bankruptcy in 1937. The construction of this house by Glenn after 1937 seems unusual given his bankruptcy but as the client was his wife this may not have been a formal contract. Glenn served during the Second World War with the Australian Imperial Force and avoided another legal issue over contracts with the Workers Home Board undertaken when he was still bankrupt.

Aerial photographs indicate the form and extent of the premises have not changed significantly since the mid 20th century.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.