Parker St — Houses of East Freo — Streets of East Freo

ARCHITECTURE

Later 20th Century / International

No. 4 Parker Street is a single-storey house constructed in brick, concrete and stone, with a low-pitched, fibrous cement roof. It is a very fine expression of the Post-World War II style, with elements of the International style. The house is planned with an irregular form. There are two wings set at an obtuse angle, neither of which are parallel with the street. The house is elevated above rising land with an exposed concrete slab. The slab acts as a balcony and cantilevers over the garage. The garage door has been replaced with a metal door. Concrete stairs lead from the balcony to the garden and there is a wrought-steel balustrade around the terrace edges. Main walls are constructed in brick with a stone spine wall in the northern wing. There is a modest, scaled, front door and windows in a variety of formats. A fixed light window in the northern wing has a concrete surround while the other openings are simply treated. The steel-framed windows have mostly been replaced with aluminium windows and security screens have been added.

There are concerns relating to brick jointing deterioration, concrete ‘cancer’ and steel-work which will require attention in the near future.

15 Parker Street (map)

ARCHITECTURE

Federation Bungalow

No. 15 Parker Street, Ferniehurst, is a single-storey house constructed in limestone, brick and rendered brick, with a hipped and gabled, tiled roof. It is an excellent example of a residence in the Federation Bungalow style constructed in the Inter-War period. The place has a generously proportioned plan with a wide entrance corridor, generous vestibule and four very fine and intact front rooms. The other original rooms are well proportioned but are less finely detailed and have been modified in a variety of ways over time. Ferniehurst features fine plaster detailing to arches, cornices, and ceiling roses, a variety of fireplaces and surrounds, and original faux bois internal joinery. The interior finishes contribute to the fine aesthetic qualities of the place. They have generally been painted a small number of times so that the detailing retains its original sharp lines. The exterior surfaces have been maintained in original condition and retain their authentic visual qualities. The front elevation is symmetrically planned with a full-width, return, hipped-roof verandah. The verandah is supported on timber posts with brackets. A gable is located centrally in the verandah and marks the entry. The entry door and hopper light are flanked by sidelights and sets of double hung sash windows. The roofscape features rendered chimneys and finials. The place sits on limestone foundations and the walls are face brick with string courses and sill dressings.

The place retains its form and most of its details and plays an important role in the pattern of development of a middle-class suburb.

History

1929 Will. The late Alexander Watson, pastoralist, of East Fremantle, who died suddenly, while on a visit to Melbourne last February, left estate in Western Australia, valued at £36,077. He left £2000 to his married daughter, Maud Alexandra Cox, of Fremantle...The income from the residue of the estate is to be paid to his daughter during her life, and thereafter to her children. (reference)
1953 Lambretta. excellent condition. 15 Parker-st., East Fremantle. (reference)