HOUSE, 20 WESLEY STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 20 Wesley Street, although has been modified, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey house dating from 1903 has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:

the place has some aesthetic value as a Victorian Georgian style of architecture and for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area;

the place has some historic value as an early twentieth century residence that demonstrates the settlement and development of the South Fremantle area, and

it is representative of the typical workers’ houses in South Fremantle area.

The rear 1980s additions and landscaping are of little significance.

Physical Description

House, 20 Wesley Street was built between 1900 and 1905. This single storey house has a symmetrical façade and has been constructed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoining to the corners and the door and window openings. Render which was not original, has been removed from the masonry. The roof is hipped with no eaves and the original corrugated iron cladding has been replaced with corrugated zincalume. There is only one chimney extant towards the rear.

The verandah which was constructed between 1978 and 1994 is under a separate iron bullnose roof with square chamfered timber posts and brick paved floor. A photo from 1978 shows a skillion roofed verandah extending from the hipped roof however it is unlikely that the skillion was the original form of the roof either. The render has not yet been removed above the bull nosed verandah; during this process there is the potential for further physical evidence to guide the proposed reconstructed gables.

The front façade is symmetrical with a central timber panelled front door and timber framed sidelights and fanlights which have stained leadlight glass. There are two faceted bays with three timber framed double hung sash windows either side of the entrance.

There is a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind. The fence partially obscures the view to the house.

The two storey weatherboard clad walls and zincalume clad hipped roof additions at the rear of the house date from the late 1980s and are not significant. On the northern boundary there is a limestone block single garage and laundry addition, also not original.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in July 2009 by the City of Fremantle for a DA submission to Council for proposed conservation and reconstruction works, as well as a number of minor modifications to the existing additions at the rear of the dwelling.

History

Wesley Street was originally called Russell Street. The name was changed in 1901.

House, 20 Wesley Street was built between 1900 and 1905. In 1905/06, Elizabeth Efford owned the cottage which was occupied by George Nathian, an accountant, at that time. Elizabeth then moved into the house with her husband William and they continued to live there until 1929/30, when the house was sold to Herman Bake. Mr Bake lived in the house for several years, before renting it to tenants.

Between c. 1944 and c. 1970, House, 20 Wesley Street was owned by Iveo Medin and continued to be a rental property throughout this time. John Frow and Christine Alvai owned and lived in the house form the mid-1970s until c. 1990. The house has had a number of owners since then.

This place was included in the "Heritage Study South Fremantle", prepared by John Taylor Architects, for the City of Fremantle, June 1993. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in July 2009 by the City of Fremantle for a DA submission to Council for proposed conservation and reconstruction works, as well as a number of minor modifications to the existing additions at the rear of the dwelling.

Integrity/Authenticity

Medium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
Medium degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining.
(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.