DUPLEX, 30 CARNAC STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex 28 & 30 Carnac Street, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey duplex pair dating from the 1903/04. 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 Queen Anne style of architecture.

Physical Description

Duplex 28 & 30 Carnac Street is a single storey, limestone, brick and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with corrugated iron and there is a gable over the central section of the duplex pair. Each duplex half has a front door with fanlights and sidelights flanked by a double hung sash window. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron roof and is supported by square timber posts with decorative timber brackets, balustrade and frieze. There are two brick corbelled chimneys.

History

Carnac Street is at an elevation from which Carnac Island can be seen, but not the other islands, possibly the reason for the name. Carnac Island was named after Lieut. John Ruett Carnac, of H.M. Frigate Success.
Duplex 28-30 Carnac Street was formerly numbered 46-48 Carnac Street; the numbering changed in 1934/35.
This duplex was built for Margaret Kenworthy in 1903/4 as an investment property, which she leased out to various tenants. The first tenants of the duplex were James Henry and accountant and Robert H. Angus, an engineer. She maintained ownership of the place until the early 1920s. From the early 1930s to the mid 1950s, Margaret Ann Coleman who continued to lease out the two dwellings, owned both halves of the duplex. Later owners of 30 Carnac Street were; Florence Smith; Peter Separovich; Rita and Rosario Scata; Joseph and Evelyn Daccache; Gino Cecchi and Terry Magee; Maria Matthews; Helen Claire Harvey and Terence Murphy and Judith O’Keefe.
The 1908 sewerage plan of this site shows that the two halves of the brick duplex are mirror images of each other. The dwellings each have front and rear verandahs and in the back yard are brick closets and a small timber shed.
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 duplex in 1979/81 shows that the roof was in a relatively poor condition. 30 Carnac Street had a cyclone mesh fence on the front boundary and the front verandah was enclosed with sheeting to balustrade height.
In 1991, architect Bernard Seeber prepared plans of the building showing the existing structure. Photographs were taken which show that the original rear verandah had been enclosed. In 1993, renovations designed by architect Maxine Canning were undertaken which involved the demolition of part of the rear of the cottage to create a two storey addition which included a new kitchen, dining, bathroom, wc and bedroom.

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.