DUPLEX, 17 ALMA STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 15 & 17 Alma Street, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey duplex pair dating from 1902. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is very late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Duplex, 15-17 Alma Street are a single storey rendered brick and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with face red brick quoining. The roof is gabled and clad with corrugated iron. There is a protruding dividing wall between the two duplex halves and two red face brick chimneys with brick corbels.
The overall facade of the pair is symmetrical with each having a front door, with a sidelight and fanlight, and a double hung sash window. Both have a verandah under separate corrugated iron roofs supported on timber posts. Each duplex half has a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary line.

History

This house is part of a duplex pair 15-17 Alma Street, which were formerly numbered 39-41 Alma Street. The numbering changed in 1934/35.
The duplex was constructed in 1902/3 for the owner Stephen Lorden who had purchased the lot in the same year. Stephen Lorden had a patent dry blower works in Collie Street and had previously lived in Quarry Street. Lorden leased out the cottages to various tenants during his ownership of the place.
In 1907, the sewerage plan of the site shows that the brick cottages had front verandahs and small galvanised iron structures built on the rear of the two cottages. Galvanised iron closets were located on the rear property boundary and the lots were fenced.
Later owners were Johanna Sinclair, John Walter Thompson and then Sydney Lawrence Marquand. During the period from 1920 to 1940, 17 Alma Street was occupied by John Small. In 1951, the place was occupied by Waldemar and Joachim Martinenko and owned by Alecia Evelyn Marquand.
A photograph of 17 Alma street taken in 1978 shows that the front verandah had been enclosed with a louvre and fibre board cladding. A low light coloured brick wall was also evident on the front boundary.
A photograph of 17 Alma Street in 1995 shows that the front wall had been replaced with a rendered brick and timber wall of approx. 1800mm height. The façade is obscured due to plantings in the front yard. An attached description of the property indicates that the cottage had undergone renovations including new kitchen and bathroom and the addition of a studio workshop in the rear courtyard.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).

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.