TERRACE, 78 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

Terrace, 76, 78 & 80 Wray Avenue is a set of three, single storey, limestone, brick and iron terraces dating from c.1903. 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 a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

Terrace, 76, 78 & 80 Wray Avenue is a set of three, single storey, limestone, brick and iron terraces with an overall symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with red brick quoins. The roof is hipped and gabled and clad with corrugated iron. The façade is symmetrical with two projecting rooms with gables, flanked either side and centrally between the two by recessed rooms with front doors and bullnose verandahs. The dividing parapet walls are visible through the roof. There are decorative timber elements to the gable ends. The bullnose verandahs are supported by timber posts with timber brackets. Under each verandah is a front door and a double hung sash window. Brick chimneys with rendered corbelling are evident. There is a brick and iron fence to the front boundary line.

History

Wray Avenue was originally Hampton Street. The named was changed to avoid confusion with the intersecting Hampton Road. It became Alexander Road, after Laurence Alexander, Mayor 1901-1902, and a representative of Falk & Co. The street name was again changed to avoid confusion with Alexandra Road in East Fremantle, and became Wray Avenue in 1923. It was named for William E Wray, at one time with the Education Dept as Truant Inspector, and a resident of the street. He was on the Fremantle Tramways Board and Mayor of Fremantle, 1914-1918.
Terrace, 76, 78 & 80 Wray Avenue was formerly 84/86/88 Wray Avenue; renumbering occurred in 1930/31.
The terraces are first recorded in the Post office Directories in 1903. The occupants are listed there as 84 Mrs Mary Martin, 86 Western Reed and 88 Hugh Dawson. Further research of the rates books is required to determine the owner of the lot at the time of construction.
It is claimed in some later documentation that the terrace was designed and built by architect John McNeece who was a prominent Fremantle architect. He did own and design adjacent properties.
A plan of the site in 1907 shows this group of brick terraces with its distinctive frontage with inset verandahs. Each cottage had a verandah at the rear of the building with the central terrace (78) having its verandah on the side elevation. Each cottage had a brick closet in the rear of the lot.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Purple: "Of architectural and historic significance in its own right.”) A photograph taken of the terrace at that time shows that most original features were intact. The roof was corrugated iron and the walls limestone with brick quoins was unpainted. A low brick wall on the front boundary was a later addition. An asbestos addition was apparent at the rear of 80 Wray Avenue.
In 1986, owner P Garbutt supplied documentation and plans showing the existing form of the terrace/triplex. At that time each cottage had a bathroom and laundry added at the rear where previously a verandah had been located. The outside toilets remained. The front verandahs had been partially enclosed with brick rendered walls. The purpose of the application was to apply for permit to undertake a renovation at the rear of the property at 78 Wray Avenue. The renovation included a new kitchen/dining area, bathroom/laundry and additional bedroom. These renovations were subsequently undertaken including the construction of a recycled brick wall on the front boundary.
In 1996, it is recorded that 78 Wray Avenue had been further renovated and had also had a two storey brick addition at the rear of the property.
By 1999, 80 Wray Avenue had also been restored and extended. Architect Brian Klopper had designed a steel and glass extension at the rear of the house.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

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.