Russell Street, 2, Fremantle WA 6160
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleDUPLEX, 2 RUSSELL STREETAddress2 Russell Street FREMANTLE WA 6160Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No21632Location DescriptionStreet Number2Construction Commenced1887Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronWall – BRICK: Face BrickWall – STONE: LimestoneFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceDuplex 2 & 4 Russell Street, is a typical limestone, brick and iron single storey duplex pair dating from the 1887. 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 Victorian Georgian style of architecture. ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryThis duplex was formerly numbered 50/52 Russell Street, where 2 was 52 and 4 was 50 Russell Street. The renumbering occurred in 1935/36. This duplex was constructed in 1887 for George Cornish who was a draper. He occupied 4 Russell Street. In 1899, the occupant of 2 Russell Street was Walter W Cook. The 1908 sewerage plan of this brick duplex shows that the two halves of the duplex were mirror images of each other. Each had verandahs at the front with a galvanised iron ‘L’ shaped addition at the rear. Bathrooms were located within these additions and adjacent to the back of the house was a water tank. In the back yard of each property was a brick closet. A stone retaining wall was shown on the front property boundary with steps to access the front of each house. 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") In 1978, a photograph of the duplex shows that the building was in relatively good and authentic condition. 2 Russell Street had been altered with the addition of brick pillars as verandah supports and the front window had been replaced. The alignment of the front steps was different to the 1908 pan. In 1995, alterations and additions to the rear of the building were planned and a series of photographs were taken by architects Considine and Griffiths. These photographs show that the duplex was solid structurally and most original features were intact. The interior of 2 Russell Street had received some renovations in the art deco style. Subsequently the duplex underwent significant renovations and additions. These included additions to the rear and the construction of new bullnosed verandah roof at the front. The front steps were rebuilt to conform to the 1908 plan. The façade is finished in a stone and brick although it is recorded as a brick building in 1908. Physical DescriptionDuplex 2 & 4 Russell Street, is a single storey limestone, brick and iron duplex pair with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone and brick quoins. The roof is hipped with a dividing parapet wall and clad with corrugated iron. The front verandah is under a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof supported by square timber posts. There is a rendered masonry and metal wall to the front boundary line. The duplex sits above the street level.AssociationPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Conjoined residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Conjoined residenceArchitectural StylesIntegrity/AuthenticityHigh 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).Place TypeIndividual Building or Group
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date8/03/2007
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey Date18/09/2000Local Government Non-Statutory Listing Local Heritage Survey Management CategoryLevel 3
RELATED
Russell Street, 2, Fremantle WA 6160. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 30/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/30616