Aldgate House & Stables, East Fremantle

Child Places

• 19696 Residence - Aldgate

Statement of Significance

Aesthetic, Historical, Representative & Rarity

Aldgate, a substantial single-storey, limestone and brick Federation Queen Anne style residence, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
• It is a fine example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture common in Perth's suburbs during the 1890s and 1900s;

• It is enhanced by its formal approach, the building's close relationship to the paved terrace and orchestrated views west to the harbour and north-west to the Swan River, the place represents the scale and style of residences built on large, river facing lots in East Fremantle during the gold boom period; and

• The place has scientific value for the extent and rarity in Western Australia of the original interior decorative treatments and the resource it provides for further study.
The five additional houses and associated landscape have low significance. The additions and outbuildings have low significance.

AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE: Aldgate has exceptional aesthetic value as a fine example of the Federation Queen Anne style. The place is enhanced by hand-painted ceiling murals, friezes and stencils to the interior of the residence. It retains almost all of the characteristic features of a dwelling of the type and period.

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE: Aldgate has exceptional historic value. It is a reminder of a period when elevated locations on Preston Point Road and the immediate surroundings were desirable residential locations for the more affluent.

Aldgate had a close association, for a comparatively short period, with Paul Strelitz. Paul's brother Richard established a trading company and was influential in international trade, diplomacy and local politics in Perth and Fremantle.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: The place has scientific value. The original interior decorative treatments are extensive and rare in Western Australia. The place is a resource that provides for further study.

SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE: Aldgate has exceptional social value. It is associated with a significant area of middle class Federation and Inter-war period development which contributes to the community's sense of place.

Physical Description

Federation
Federation Bungalow w Queen Anne Influences

No 7 Aldgate Place, Aldgate, is a single storey house constructed in limestone, tuck pointed brick and rendered brick with a hipped and gable corrugated iron roof. Aldgate is a very fine example of the Federation Queen Anne style. The place is enhanced by hand-painted ceiling murals, friezes and stencils to the interior of the residence. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a thrust bay and a part width return hip roofed verandah. The verandah is supported on timber posts with a decorative wrought iron frieze. The gable bay features a cartouche and a bay window. The bay window features a pair of double hung sash windows and hopper lights. There is a central door and hopper light flanked by sidelights and double hung sash windows. There is a diagonal corner bay with a pair of windows. A gable sits above the bay. There is a long, elevated approach to the residence. The aesthetic qualities of the place are enhanced with its relationship to the gardens, formal broad stone steps and Italianate balustrades. Although the content of the gardens is of little value. The roofscape features tall render capped chimneys. Walls are tuck pointed brick with rendered quoins.

The place retains its form and most of its details. There are additions to the rear and out buildings to the north. The lot has been subdivided and several residences built to the front. These residences and Aldgate share a common road titled Aldgate Place.

The place is consistent with the building pattern in the Precinct. The place plays an important role in the pattern of development of a middle class suburb.

History

Historic Theme: Demographic Settlement

In September 1883 Stephen Henry Parker and James Morrison of Perth commenced subdivision of 65 acres of land to the north of Canning Road. The subdivision occurred at Swan Locations 63, 176, 219 and the south western portion of Swan Location 306. The subdivision included Preston Point Road, Alcester Gardens, Wolsely Gardens, Victoria Road, Alexandra Road, Parry Avenue, and Salvado Avenue.

The Richmond Precinct was owned by Walter Easton and was named after the town of Richmond where Easton lived in England. In 1901 Easton’s sons subdivided Windsor Estate. New streets to the subdivision of the Windsor Estate were named after various members of the Easton family; Walter, Gill, Stratford and Morgan (later Osborne Road).

Initially lot sizes were generous but sold at a slow rate. The initial development of the Richmond Precinct occurred at Canning Highway and Preston Point Road. Substantial residences were developed on these streets giving precedence to the future development of Richmond. The distinct architecture of Canning Highway and Preston Point Road distinguish Richmond from the surrounding area.

By 1913 there were approximately 40 residences in the area between Preston Point Road and Alexandra Road. Osborne Road, Windsor Road and Gill Street had several buildings apiece by 1913. By 1931 approximately half the lots were developed. In 1921 Richmond Primary School was developed between Windsor and Osborne Road and several Inter-War residences were developed in the immediate area. In the 1930s the Workers’ Homes’ Board developed a number of weatherboard, asbestos, brick and tiled residences. Inter-War style front porches were preferred over Federation style full width verandahs.

Redevelopments have occurred throughout the Richmond Precinct. Large lot sizes have allowed Richmond to be subject to the redevelopment of group and multiple housing. However, significant clusters of heritage dwellings remain throughout.

Aldgate is significant as an example of residences built on large river facing lots for the more affluent of East Fremantle's citizens in the 1890s and early 1900s. The place is a reminder of a period when the elevated locations on Preston Point Road. The place and its immediate surroundings were desirable residential locations for the more affluent.

Aldgate had a close association, for a comparatively short period, with Paul Strelitz. Paul's brother Richard established a trading company and was influential in international trade, diplomacy and local politics in Perth and Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Very High

Condition

Excellent

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.