Two Attached Houses & Separate House

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE gazetted with permanent entry as State Registered Place (12/07/2002). Two Attached Houses and Separate House, 219-223 Newcastle Street, two attached and one detached single storey brick and iron residences in the Federation Italianate style, has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
+ the place has aesthetic significance as modestly detailed group of Federation Italianate Style residential buildings, distinguished by central pediments bearing the following names: ‘Ada Villa’ (No. 219), ‘Alfred
Villa’ (No. 221) and ‘Arthur Villa’ (No. 223);
+ the place is rare as an example of a group of residences, comprising two attached residences and one detached residence, in the FederationItalianate style, dating from the late nineteenth century, still extant within close proximity to Perth City centre + the place reflects the expansion and development of a diversity of residential buildings on the city fringes during the rapid population increase of the 1890s gold boom and the early years of the twentieth
century; and,
+ as a group of buildings, which have remained largely unaltered despite the changes that have occurred in the area, the place has importance in contributing to the community’s sense of place.

Physical Description

Two attached and one detached row houses of matching design. Single fronted houses constructed of two tone Flemish bond brickwork one of which has been painted. Roof's concealed by decorative parapets with pediments bearing the names Add Villa; Alfred Villa and Arthur Villa. Verandahs follow original forms but have been altered windows and doors altered. Rendered chimneys with corbelling intact.

History

In the early years of the Swan River colony the area to the north of Perth (now known as Northbridge) was low lying and swampy and was therefore settled more slowly than the better land closer to the river. It was also further from the river port and the main means of transport. Northbridge is an inner suburban area, named because it is just north of Perth across the railway bridge. It was approved as a suburb name in 1982.

In 1854 some of the swampy land to the north of Perth was drained producing some fertile land for farming and later subdivision. The land was subdivided into allotments circa 1860. Land in the area was taken up by discharged soldiers, artisans and small landholders. The area at this period was characterised by small cottages and businesses.

In 1881, the railway from Fremantle to Guildford was opened and became the main transport route. From that period commerce and trade tended to focus more fashionable with smaller commercial enterprises and manufacturing to the north. It was less fashionable to live north of the railway line, however the area was close to the city and during the 1890's and early 1900's was substantially redeveloped with further subdivision of lots and mixed residential and commercial development. A number of trade and community organisations had their origins in the area at this time.

Over the years the population of the area changed as people relocated to suburban areas of the city. As a result, Northbridge became the home for successive migrant communities. for example, communities including Greek, Italian, Chinese and more recently Vietnamese migrants have settled here as property remained relatively cheap and had the advantage of being close to the city. These communities have over the years given this area a distinctive character, generally recycling the existing buildings rather than redeveloping the area.

(Extracted from M. Pitt Morrison and J. White in C.T. Stannage, A New History of Western Australia; U.W.A. 1981 and Michael Bosworth, Thematic Historical framework, City of Perth Unpub. 1995).

The homes built in Perth the 1890's and early 1900's were generally larger and more elaborately detailed than the earlier simple cottages there replaced. Although influenced in their design by homes of Victoria in particular, due to the influx of migrants from the eastern states, houses in Perth tended to be constructed as single detached, or sometimes pairs of attached, houses, rather than the extensive rows of terrace houses found in eastern Australia. Houses were generally single storey brick with corrugated iron roofs. Some more prestigious homes had slate or tiled roofs. Stucco decoration was popular as was wrought iron lace and timber fretwork.

Integrity/Authenticity

High level of integrity.

Medium level of authenticity as it is substantially intact verandah and some doors and windows altered with one house painted.

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

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