Residence, 161 Petra Street

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
No 161 Petra Street is a single storey house constructed in limestone, brick and rendered brick with a corrugated iron roof. It has historic and aesthetic value for its contribution to Richmond Hill's residential building stock. The place contributes to the local community’s sense of place.
The place has considerable aesthetic value as an Inter-War Bungalow. The place retains a moderate to high degree of authenticity and a high degree of integrity.
The garage and additions have no significance.
AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE
No 161 Petra Street has considerable aesthetic value as an Inter-War Bungalow. It retains most of the characteristic features of a dwelling of the type and period.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
No 161 Petra Street has some historic value. It was part of the suburban residential development associated with the expansion of East Fremantle and the subdivision of Walter Easton’s Estate from 1901.
SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE
N/A
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE
No 161 Petra Street has some social value and contributes to the community's sense of place.
RARITY
No 161 Petra Street does not have qualities associated with the corresponding category.

Physical Description

Inter-War
Bungalow w Federation / Arts & Crafts Influences

No 161 Petra Street is a single storey house constructed in limestone, painted brick and rendered brick with a hipped and gable tiled roof. It is a fine expression of the Inter-War Bungalow style. The place is located on a corner lot and addresses both Petra Street and View Terrace. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a thrust gable bay and a part width return broken back roofed verandah. The verandah terminates at thrust bays at each end and is supported on paired timber posts. A timber balustrade spans between the posts. The half-timbered gable bays feature aluminium framed windows. The entry door is located on the south elevation under the return verandah. The windows are sets of casements except where they have been replaced with aluminium framed windows. The place sits on limestone foundations. The roofscape features a render capped chimney.
The place retains its form and most of its details. There are additions and a garage to the rear of the house. The access to the garage is via View Terrace.
The place plays an important role in the pattern of development of a middle class suburb.

History

Historic Theme: Demographic Settlement

The Richmond Hill Precinct was originally Location 333-336 Swan District which was acquired by John Clayton in 1861-64. As subdivisions occurred throughout East Fremantle new land names were taken from original names and adapted. The Richmond Hill Precinct was once a part of the Richmond Precinct. The Richmond name originated from the town of Richmond in England. Walter Easton, the owner of the Richmond Precinct, had lived in Richmond prior to arriving in Western Australia.
In 1891 the precinct was sold to David Symon and David William Harwood. Symon was an ironmonger, shipping merchant, a senior partner in a firm of merchants and a member of the Legislative Assembly for South Fremantle. Harwood was a prominent businessman, the founder of Harwood Brewery and was known as an avid horse racer. Subdivided lots to the precinct began to sell between 1897 and 1898 following the completion of land surveys. Due to the requirement for the provision of costly services such as water and electricity to the subdivided lots, Symon and Harwood decided to sell the estate in its entirety.
The ‘Brighton Estate’ is identified on a 1903 property map as the area between Preston Point Road and David Street (now Petra Street) including View Terrace and Pier Street. A water tank was located on a site between Pier Street and View Terrace (Lot 43) which was largely chosen for its elevated position. The tank, however, was later replaced in 1977 by a multi-storey water tower which is still present today. Development in the estate progressed very slowly and by 1945 there were only 10 residences in Pier Street.
A small adjoining portion of land from View Terrace to Fraser Street and west of Petra Street was developed in 1919. The development was around the site of the old Bicton Racecourse and was named the ‘Riverside Bicton Estate’. Subdivision of the remaining land in East Fremantle was complete by the 1930s. By this time the land had been significantly developed. During this period developments commenced in Petra Street and a group of Inter-War California Bungalows were built between View Terrace and Preston Point Road. This development period presents a collection of buildings which were constructed within a similar time frame while demonstrating a variety of styles. Developments were of timber and masonry construction with face brick finishes, weatherboard and asbestos cladding. A shortage of building materials following the Depression and WWII led to a more simplified building style and the emergence of the Post-War austerity houses in Richmond Hill.
A later era of development in Richmond Hill occurred around Locke Crescent between the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Many new developments have occurred in the Richmond Hill Precinct in the last 30 years.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High
Authenticity: Moderate - High

Condition

Good

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.