WORKERS TERRACE, 458 SOUTH TERRACE

Statement of Significance

Smelter Workers Terrace, 448, 450, 452 454, 456 & 458 South Terrace is a rare brick and iron single storey set of six attached terrace houses dating from the 1890s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the building stock located within the residential areas of South Fremantle. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The place has rarity value as a group of six terraces still extant in South Fremantle. Representative of terrace housing provided as rental accommodation for workers in the South Fremantle area.

Physical Description

A group of six attached single storey brick and iron terraced houses. Roof is gabled corrugated iron with dividing masonry parapet wall between each terrace visible through roof. Verandahs are under separate corrugated iron bullnose roofs supported by timber posts. Nos 454, 456 & 458 have decorative timber brackets to the verandah posts. The walls to nos 454, 456 & 458 have been re tuckpointed, whilst the walls to 448, 450 & 452 are painted and rendered masonry. Each terrace house has a single front door and a double hung sash window to the front elevation.
There are small gardens to the front of each terrace house. Nos 454, 456 & 458 have a low level white painted picket fence to the front boundary. No 452 has a blue painted timber post fence and nos 450 and 448 have a blue painted low level timber picket fence.
Brick chimneys are intact.

History

South Terrace was formerly called Mandurah Road. It followed the line of ancient Aboriginal tracks and was the main entrance to Fremantle from the south. Mandurah Road used to continue south along the coast, but owing to shifting sand dunes, it was necessary to make a deviation to Douro Road and travel further inland.

Smelting Works were established at South Beach in 1898, and the factory did much to discourage further residential development in that area. However, workers needed accommodation, and in 1903/04, six cottages were built for Thomas Norma, proprietor of the Seaview Hotel. The cottages were occupied by tradesmen and their families. The first occupants were foundrymen, a bricklayer, a driver and labourers. Smelters Robert Boyd and Charles Neilson lived in two of the cottages. The cottages were originally addressed 322, 324, 326 (Lot 18), 328, 330 and 332 (Lot 19) Mandurah Road.

In 1910/11, all six cottages were purchased by Captain Frank Biddles, who had extensive property holdings throughout Fremantle. Biddles continued to own the cottages until 1941. In 1936/37, the street numbering changed to 218-230 Mandurah Road.

In 1951/52, 322 and 324 (later 448 and 450 South Terrace) were owned by Albert John Collins. The remainder were owned by Ivan Garbin and Ivan Sarich. The following year, Garbin and Sarich owned all six terraces. This remained the situation until the early 1960s, when 448, 450 and 452 South Terrace (previously 218, 220 and 222) were owned by Ivan Garbin. The remainder were owned by Ivan Skender and Son.

In 1979, the front verandah of Workers Terrace, 454 South Terrace, was infilled with asbestos. By 1993, the terrace had been re-roofed, but the original corrugated iron remained on the verandah roof. In 1998, an application was made to the City of Fremantle for a loft in the roof space and the construction of a separate garage at the rear (off Hickory Street) with a loft above.

This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

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.