HOUSE, 62 WRAY AVENUE

Statement of Significance

House, 62 Wray Avenue, is a typical rendered masonry and iron single storey house dating from c1900. 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 Federation Bungalow style of architecture.

Physical Description

62 Wray Avenue is a single storey, rendered brick and iron house with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The walls are rendered brick. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron. The front elevation has a central front door flanked on either side by a double hung sash window. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron roof and is supported by rendered masonry piers. There is a rendered masonry timber picket 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.
This house was formerly 70 Alexander Road; the renumbering occurred in 1935/36.
This house is evident in the Post Office Directories for 1900 with the occupant shown as David L Hancock. The house may well have been built prior to this date as David Hancock was a resident of the street in 1895/6 however further researches of the rates books for this period should establish the original owner and the exact year of construction.
A plan of the site 1908 shows that the brick cottage had a verandah across the full width of the front elevation. Added to the rear of the building were a timber structure and a separate galvanised iron addition. At the rear of the lot were a small galvanised iron shed and a galvanised iron closet. The majority of the property boundary was fenced although a small portion of the north east boundary was constructed of stone.
This place was identified by the Fremantle Society in 1979/80 as being of cultural heritage significance. (Coded: Red: "Significantly contributing to the unique character of Fremantle") A photograph of the building at that time shows that the building was in relatively good condition although the corrugated iron sheeting on the main roof did appear deteriorated. The original front doors and windows were in evidence although the verandah pillars and balustrades appear to be of a later construction. A brick wall on the front property boundary was also of a later construction.
In 1998, owners P. F. and F. Vinci applied to have the zoning of the property changed from residential to professional offices. This application indicates that a separate dwelling had been constructed in the rear of the lot prior to the application. The application was supported by the City of Fremantle with the recommendation that the residential character of the buildings be maintained by providing more landscaping around the existing buildings. Subsequent internal renovations converted the buildings into professional offices and the space between the two buildings was paved.

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.