DUPLEX, 14 HOWARD STREET

Statement of Significance

Duplex, 12 & 14 Howard Street are a single storey rendered limestone, brick, tile and iron duplex pair dating from 1893. 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 Bungalow style of architecture.

Physical Description

12 & 14 Howard Street are a single storey rendered limestone, brick, iron and tile duplex pair with an asymmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Bungalow style of architecture. The walls are limestone and brick quoins which have been rendered with quoining still apparent. The roof is hipped with a dividing parapet wall and clad with tiles to no. 12 and corrugated iron to no. 14. The front verandah to no. 12 is under a separate tiled roof supported by moulder plaster columns on rendered masonry piers with a rendered masonry balustrade. The verandah to no. 14 is under a separate corrugated iron roof supported by square timber posts with brackets. Each duplex pair has a projecting front room with no. 14 having a faceted bay with double hung sash windows. Render corbelled chimneys are evident. There is a high rendered masonry and iron wall to no. 14 and a low wall to no. 12.

History

Duplex, 12-14 Howard Street was formerly numbered 28-30 Howard Street; the numbering was changed in 1935/36. This house is one of four six roomed cottages that was built for John Healy in 1893. John Healy was a lime burner in 1881 and a merchant in 1890. The duplexes were leased out to various tenants. The house remained in the Healy family until the 1930s. It was then transferred to the United Ancient Order of Druids. In the 1950s the house was owned by Stephen Malkovich and then by a group including members of the Lopresti, Pittorino, Pizzino and Tripi families. It is likely that each family occupied one of the duplex halves. The 1908 sewerage plan of the site shows this stone duplex was a symmetrical design with the two halves a mirror image of each other. Each duplex had a front and rear verandah. In the rear of the lots were an accumulation of buildings of brick, timber and galvanised iron. They may have functioned as additional accommodation as a verandah is noted on some buildings. Also in the back yard were water tanks and a brick and timber closet. On the front boundary is a stone wall. 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 place in 1978 shows that the house was in good condition with a rendered façade and a tiled roof. A low brick wall on the front boundary is a later addition. In 1996, the house was substantially unchanged and residences had been constructed at the rear of the lot.

Integrity/Authenticity

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