HOUSE, 27 STEVENS STREET

Statement of Significance

House, 27 Stevens Street, is a typical rendered masonry, tile and iron single storey house dating from 1901 to 1902. 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

27 Stevens Street is a single storey rendered masonry, tile and iron house with an asymmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Queen Anne style of architecture. The walls are rendered masonry. The roof is gabled and clad with tiles. The facade has a projecting front room with a gable over. The gable end has a decorative timber barge board and finial. There is a faceted bay with double hung sash windows to each bay. The front door with fanlight and side lights and a pair of timber framed double hung sash windows are located under the adjacent verandah. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron roof and is supported by turned timber posts with a timber balustrade. The house is set above the street level. There is a painted brick wall to the front boundary line.

History

Stevens Street was originally known as Church Street c1900, the boundary of the old Alma St Church of England Cemetery. It changed to Stephen Street in c1930. In 1962 spelling was changed to Stevens Street, probably to honour Jimmy Stevens, Councillor (1905-1929; 1929-1943). 27 Stevens Street was formerly 113 Stephen Street. The numbering changed in 1935/36. This house was built for E. W. Davies in 1901/02 as an investment property. The first occupant of the house was John Whitty, a clerk. Later occupants were William Richardson, a bank clerk; and James Dixon, butcher. The property was transferred to Arthur Davies and Fred Jones prior to 1905/06 and occupied by local architect O. N. Nicholson and later by James Marshall Barrow. In the 1930s the place was owned by M. M. Laming and occupied by William Fraser. The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this brick house had the distinctive bay window and verandah at the front accessed by a central set of steps. At the rear was a verandah and in the back yard a timber closet. 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 house in 1978 shows that the house was in relatively good condition. The original verandah had been replaced with a concrete floor and metal balustrades. The roof was tiled and the front façade painted although the stone quoins were still evident. The verandah roof was probably a later replacement. Information from 2004 real estate notices indicate that a kitchen and bathroom were added to the rear in the 1960s or 1970s. The front façade was substantially the same as the 1978 photograph.

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

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