HOUSE, 14 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

House, 14 Wray Avenue, is a typical rendered masonry, tile and iron single storey house dating from c 1890s. 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 an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture.

Physical Description

House, 14 Wray Avenue is a single storey, rendered masonry, iron and tile house with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted and rendered masonry. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The façade is symmetrical with a replacement central front door flanked by replacement windows with roller shutters. The verandah has a separate tile roof and is supported by steel posts. There is a metal balustrade to the edge of the concrete verandah floor which is located on the front boundary line.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in Nov 2009 by Philip Griffiths Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA0578/09) for demolition of the property and the construction of a two storey mixed use development.

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.

This building has been referred to as 14 Wray Avenue since the early 1900s. The renumbering of the street in 1934/35 did not affect this property.

The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this brick building has a verandah at the front and a galvanised iron addition to the rear of the building. A galvanised iron shed, well and brick closet are located in the back yard of the property. The yard is divided into separate sections with stone walls. The building may well have been in existence prior to this record but further research of the rates books for this period is needed to establish the exact date of construction and the original owner of the property.

A 1979 photograph of the place shows that it has a rendered façade and an awning. The front display windows do not appear to be original.

This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Brown: "Positively contributing to the built environment")

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in Nov 2009 by Philip Griffiths Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA0578/09) for demolition of the property and the construction of a two storey mixed use development.

Integrity/Authenticity

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

Condition

Condition assessed as fair to 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.