Left Bank Bar & Cafe

Statement of Significance

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
No 15 Riverside Road is a two storey former house constructed in limestone, brick and rendered brick with a corrugated iron roof. It has historic and aesthetic value for its contribution to Riverside’s small concentration of fine houses. The place contributes to the local community’s sense of place.
The place has exceptional aesthetic value as Federation Filigree style former house. The place retains a moderate degree of authenticity and a low degree of integrity.
The additions have no significance.
AESTHETIC SIGNIFICANCE
No 15 Riverside Road has exceptional aesthetic value as a Federation Filigree style former house. It retains most of the characteristic features of a dwelling of the type and period.
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
No 15 Riverside Road has exceptional historic value. It was part of the suburban residential development associated with the expansion of East Fremantle and the subdivision of Walter Easton’s Estate from 1901.
SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE
N/A
SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE
No 15 Riverside Road 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. The place also contributes as a local landmark.
RARITY
No 15 Riverside Road is rare as a substantial residence converted into a hospitality venue.

Physical Description

Federation Filigree w/ Gothic Influences

No 15 Riverside Road is a two storey building constructed in limestone and brick with a hipped and gable corrugated iron roof. The place was formerly a residence and has since been adapted into a restaurant. It has been restored and now presents as a fine expression of the Federation Filigree style. The front elevation is asymmetrically planned with a gable bay and a full width return bull-nosed roof verandah. The verandah spans both storeys and is supported on timber posts. On the first floor there is a cast metal balustrade and timber handrail. The place may have been built in stages as the ground floor is built in limestone with brick quoins and the upper floor built in brick with rendered quoins. The gable features decorative timber treatment and a circular vent. The place has an irregular plan and the mass features a rich roofscape that include gables and render capped chimneys. On the ground floor there is a central door and hopper light flanked side lights and further doors with hopper lights. At first floor level there are pairs of doors with hopper lights. There is timber joinery in all openings but it is difficult to determine its authenticity.
The place retains its form and most of its details. Additional accommodation was constructed to the site of the building for its present function.
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/Occupations

Riverside Precinct was once part of Location 64 (10 acres). In 1896 the Riverside Precinct was subdivided into 47 lots following the developments of Plympton in the 1890s. It was not until 1900 before all of the lots in Riverside were sold. A number of substantial homes were thereafter built in the area. Concurrently riverside related industries were developed along the base of the limestone scarp now fronted by Riverside Road.
More subdivisions to Riverside occurred in 1913 to Putney, Bellevue, Hillside, Surbiton and Hill Streets (Putney, Bellevue and Hill Streets no longer exist.). At the time a number of buildings were developed around Pier Street. Lot sizes were large in comparison to Plympton Precinct. By 1915 a dense group of houses were established in the Riverside Precinct. Large residences occupied the hilltop streets while smaller residences were developed along Preston Point Road and along the river bank. As a response to the topography of the precinct lots were irregular in shape and size.
Substantial residences were developed along the east side of Preston Point Road in the Richmond Precinct around this time. The developments on the west side of Preston Point Road , however, were of a much larger scale and in the late Victorian style which contrasts with the adjacent Precinct.
By the 1970s the Left Bank had fallen almost into ruin and was revived in the early 1980s. This has brought it to its present state as a successful hospitality venue.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: Low
Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

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.