HOUSE, 15 LOUISA STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 15 LOUISA STREETAddress15 Louisa Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No21102Street Number15Construction Commenced1905Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronRoof – TILE: Terracotta TileWall – BRICK: Face BrickWall – STONE: LimestoneFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 15 LOUISA STREET, is a single storey limestone, brick quoin and iron house dating from c1905. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is representative of the typical building stock located within the residential areas of Fremantle. It is historically significant as a representation of typical workers' houses in the Fremantle area. The place is an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The place it retains a high degree of integrity, with much of its original fabric and form intact.
Constructed in 1905, the house reflects the expansion of Fremantle during the late 19th century, a time when the Western Australian gold rush brought economic growth and increased settlement. Its weatherboard and stone construction and iron roofing are indicative of the resourceful building practices of the time, particularly in working-class and middle- class areas where accessible and durable materials were favoured.
As an example of modest 19th-century housing, it represents the daily lives of the working- and middle-class residents who contributed to the development of Fremantle.
As part of Fremantle’s historic urban fabric, the house contributes to the collective identity of the area. It reflects the residential styles of the late 19th century and the adaptation of historic homes to modern needs.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryHouse, 15 Louisa Street was built prior to 1895. In that year, it was listed in the rate book as a cottage of three rooms owned by James Harrison and occupied by Ernest Fordham. By 1901/02, ownership had changed to John Willis and Sarah Edwards, a widow, was living in the cottage. A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated c. 1915 shows a brick and weatherboard house with full length front and rear verandahs. There was a substantial weatherboard outbuilding located against the eastern boudnary fence. Emily Thomas owned and lived in the house from the 1930s until c. 1958 and from the 1960s into the 1980s, Domenic Spina was the owner and occupier.Physical Description15 Louisa Street is a single storey, limestone, brick, tile and iron house built in c1892 with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with tiles. The façade is symmetrical with a central front door with fanlight and double hung sash windows with sidelights. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof supported on timber posts. There is an iron and rendered pillar fence to the front boundary line.AssociationPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/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
Constructed in 1905, the house reflects the expansion of Fremantle during the late 19th century, a time when the Western Australian gold rush brought economic growth and increased settlement. Its weatherboard and stone construction and iron roofing are indicative of the resourceful building practices of the time, particularly in working-class and middle- class areas where accessible and durable materials were favoured.
As an example of modest 19th-century housing, it represents the daily lives of the working- and middle-class residents who contributed to the development of Fremantle.
As part of Fremantle’s historic urban fabric, the house contributes to the collective identity of the area. It reflects the residential styles of the late 19th century and the adaptation of historic homes to modern needs.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryHouse, 15 Louisa Street was built prior to 1895. In that year, it was listed in the rate book as a cottage of three rooms owned by James Harrison and occupied by Ernest Fordham. By 1901/02, ownership had changed to John Willis and Sarah Edwards, a widow, was living in the cottage. A Metropolitan Sewerage plan dated c. 1915 shows a brick and weatherboard house with full length front and rear verandahs. There was a substantial weatherboard outbuilding located against the eastern boudnary fence. Emily Thomas owned and lived in the house from the 1930s until c. 1958 and from the 1960s into the 1980s, Domenic Spina was the owner and occupier.Physical Description15 Louisa Street is a single storey, limestone, brick, tile and iron house built in c1892 with a symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are limestone with brick quoins. The roof is hipped and clad with tiles. The façade is symmetrical with a central front door with fanlight and double hung sash windows with sidelights. The verandah has a separate corrugated iron bullnose roof supported on timber posts. There is an iron and rendered pillar fence to the front boundary line.AssociationPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/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
Statutory Heritage Areas
Statutory Heritage Area CustodianCity of FremantleStatutory Heritage Area South Fremantle Heritage AreaHeritage Area StatusContributoryHeritage Area InHerit Number22386Statutory Heritage Area Date14/10/2000
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date27/08/2025
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey Date27/08/2025Local Government Non-Statutory Listing Local Heritage Survey Management CategoryLevel 3
PARENT PLACE
Parent Place No22386Parent place nameSouth Fremantle Heritage Area
RELATED
HOUSE, 15 LOUISA STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 10/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/37495