Owens Corner

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic, Historical, Social, Scientific, Representative & Rarity
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE No 55 Canning Highway is a two storey building constructed of painted brick with an iron roof. The ground floor is a commercial premises with a residence over it. The place has historic and aesthetic value with its contribution to Plympton's commercial strip and associated buildings. It contributes to the local community’s sense of place.
The place is a minor landmark on Canning Highway.
The place has considerable heritage value for its intrinsic aesthetic value as a Federation Filigree commercial premises. It retains a moderate to high degree of authenticity and a high degree of integrity.
AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE No 55 Canning Highway has exceptional aesthetic value as a fine Federation Filigree style commercial building. It retains most of the characteristic features of a combined shop and residence of the type and period.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE No 55 Canning Highway has some historic value. It was part of the suburban residential development associated with the expansion of East Fremantle during the Goldrush period of the 1880s and 1890s.
SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE N/A
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE No 55 Canning Highway has some social value. It is associated with a significant area of worker’s cottages, which contributes to the community's sense of place.

Physical Description

The place is a substantial double storied, brick retail store. It has a second storey balcony, with filigree ironwork on the balustrade (not original). The front door is situated on the corner facing the street at a 45 degree angle.

No 55 Canning Highway is a commercial building constructed of brick with rendered details. Low-pitched corrugated iron roofs are concealed by masonry parapets. It is a fine expression of the Federation Filigree style. The street elevations are arranged to accommodate the corner shopfront and display windows. A dominant feature is the skillion roofed verandah that runs along both street frontages. The verandah is detailed with cast lacework. Above the verandah line is a rendered brick parapet with an articulated line that includes one top pediment.
Some walls have been rendered.
The place is consistent with the pattern of development in Plympton and plays an important role in the pattern of development of a working class suburb.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS Walls – Brick and render
Roof - Corrugated roof sheeting
PHYSICAL SETTING Building is located on a prominent street corner, built to its boundaries and has imposing verandahs, which makes it a prominent minor landmark.
In 2014 additions to the rear were constructed which comprise extensions to the rear of the main commercial building and additions to an existing shed for use as an ancillary dwelling at the southern end of the lot which is used for short term accommodation.

History

Significant alterations and additions have occurred to the rear of the commercial part of the building and a separate ancillary dwelling has been constructed at the southern end of the site. The boundary walls remain.

Historic Theme: Demographic Settlement & Occupation

Plympton is a cohesive precinct where most of the places were constructed in the late nineteenth century and the first quarter of the twentieth century. It is comprised primarily of homes for workers and their families with a high concentration of small lots with timber, brick and stone cottages.
Commercial premises were established on Canning Highway and George Street. The George Street commercial strip developed within a decade of the residential development in surrounding streets.

HISTORIC THEME Demographic Settlements and Occupation - Land Subdivision and Commercial Development

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Very High

Condition

Excellent

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.