Penshurst

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
Penshurst, a two storey late Victorian residence constructed of limestone masonry with extensive verandahs on the north-east corner and timber skillions at the rear, as well as two palm trees in front of the house on a large open site. It has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

- The house on its corner site is a landmark, being prominently sited on Richmond Hill and visible from various vantage points around East Fremantle and along the Swan River;
- The house has a particularly striking design with two multi-faceted bays at right angles to one another on the north-east corner, around which is wrapped a two storey verandah;
- The place has historic value for its relationship with shipping in Fremantle, particularly its connection with the firm of Symon, Hammond and Hubble;
- As a landmark and historic structure, Penshurst contributes to the local community's sense of place; and,
- The place is also associated with a number of prominent personalities and families who have at different times owned it, including the Hammond family, Phillip Collier M.L.A. and Oliver Strang.

Additions to the south of the house constructed of brick, concrete and asbestos, are intrusive to the character of the place. Infill to the upper storey verandah comprising asbestos sheet cladding and louvered windows is also deemed to be intrusive to the character of the place. The houses to either side of the place have no significance.

AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE
Penshurst has exception aesthetic value as a two storey late Victorian residence and for its landmark qualities. The place is prominently sited on Richmond Hill and visible from various vantage points along the Swan River including Cypress Hill in North Fremantle and Monument Hill in Mosman Park. Penshurst's architectural form is particularly striking.

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
Penshurst has exceptional historic value for its relationship with shipping in Fremantle and particularly its connection with the firm of Symon, Hammond and Hubble. A number of prominent personalities and families have at different times owned Penshurst, including the Hammond family, Phillip Collier M.L.A. and Oliver Strang. The Hammond family has shown an ongoing interest in the place. The significance to the family is in part attributed to the name of the place which is a link to the family's origins in England.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE
N/A

SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE
Penshurst has considerable social value for its visual prominence and heritage character. Penshurst is a well-known landmark in East Fremantle and contributes to the community's sense of place. The local importance of the place as a landmark is further demonstrated by the recent renaming of a section of Gordon Street to Penshurst Street.

RARITY
Penshurst is a late Victorian residence of an unconventional design. The plan arrangement is unusual. The north-eastern corner is flanked by two multi-faceted bays at right angles to one another and hemmed by a two storey verandah. There was in all probability no other building built to this plan configuration

Physical Description

Federation

Penshurst is a two storey late Victorian residence constructed of limestone masonry with extensive verandahs on the north-east corner and timber skillions at the rear, as well as two palm trees in front of the house on a large open site. It has a particularly striking design with two multi-faceted bays at right angles to one another on the north-east corner, around which is wrapped a two storey verandah.

No 51 View Terrace, Penshurst, is a substantial late Victorian dwelling. The place exhibits the exuberance of WA’s Gold Boom era. It is a two storey house constructed in limestone and brick with a hipped corrugated iron roof. It is asymmetrically composed with two multi-faceted bays at right angles to one another on the north-east corner. The internal planning of the building is also unusual because of the arrangement of these bays. A two storey hip roofed verandah wraps around the residence. The verandah is supported on timber posts with post brackets. A simple frieze spans between posts on the ground floor. A vertical timber balustrade spans between the posts on the first floor. Pairs of doors and hopper lights are located both floors on the north east corner. The doors are flanked by double hung sash windows. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roofscape features stout brick chimneys.
Penshurst has significant landmark qualities. It is prominently sited on Richmond Hill and visible from various vantage points along the Swan River including Cypress Hill in North Fremantle and Monument Hill in Mosman Park.
The place retains its form and most of its details. There are additions and a garage to the rear. Access to garage is via Penshurst Street. The place originally was set on a substantial lot. It has since been subdivided into three lots with residences built either side of the place.
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

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.