HOUSE, 17 MCLAREN STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 17 MCLAREN STREETAddress17 McLaren Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No22866Construction Commenced1903Construction MaterialRoof – TILE: Terracotta TileWall – BRICK: Rendered BrickFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 17 MCLAREN STREET, is a single storey limestone and tile house dating from c1903. 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.
Notwithstanding the changes made to the place it retains a moderate degree of integrity, with much of its original fabric and form intact.
Constructed in 1903, 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 timber-framed 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 late 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.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryMcLaren Street was originally called Edward Street. The name was changed to Silas Street in 1901/902 in honour of William Silas Pearce, a local business identity. The street was renamed McLaren Street in 1931, this time in honour of F J McLaren, who was Mayor of Fremantle from 1912 to 1914. House, 17 McLaren Street was built between 1900 and 1905. In 1905/06, the cottage was owned by Jane Myles and occupied by Clement Dumouff, a canvasser. Jane Miles continued to own House, 17 McLaren Street as an investment property until c. 1910, when it was bought by Alexander Anderson. Mr Anderson retained ownership until 1929/30, and the house appears to have been rented to tenants during this time. The house continued to be rented after John and Ruby Hayes bought c. 1940. The Heyes family moved into the house in the late 1950s and it was sold to Salvatore and Irene Reale in the early 1960s. The Reale family owned the house until the 1980s and the place has had a couple of owners since that tiPhysical DescriptionSingle storey rendered masonry and tile cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls arerendered masonry. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with tiles. The verandah is under continuous tile roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. There is a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind. The garden partially obscures the view to the house.AssociationPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/AuthenticityMedium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).Place TypeIndividual Building or Group
Notwithstanding the changes made to the place it retains a moderate degree of integrity, with much of its original fabric and form intact.
Constructed in 1903, 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 timber-framed 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 late 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.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryMcLaren Street was originally called Edward Street. The name was changed to Silas Street in 1901/902 in honour of William Silas Pearce, a local business identity. The street was renamed McLaren Street in 1931, this time in honour of F J McLaren, who was Mayor of Fremantle from 1912 to 1914. House, 17 McLaren Street was built between 1900 and 1905. In 1905/06, the cottage was owned by Jane Myles and occupied by Clement Dumouff, a canvasser. Jane Miles continued to own House, 17 McLaren Street as an investment property until c. 1910, when it was bought by Alexander Anderson. Mr Anderson retained ownership until 1929/30, and the house appears to have been rented to tenants during this time. The house continued to be rented after John and Ruby Hayes bought c. 1940. The Heyes family moved into the house in the late 1950s and it was sold to Salvatore and Irene Reale in the early 1960s. The Reale family owned the house until the 1980s and the place has had a couple of owners since that tiPhysical DescriptionSingle storey rendered masonry and tile cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls arerendered masonry. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with tiles. The verandah is under continuous tile roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. There is a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind. The garden partially obscures the view to the house.AssociationPlace UseOriginal Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residencePresent Use – RESIDENTIAL: Single storey residenceIntegrity/AuthenticityMedium degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some 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, 17 MCLAREN STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 06/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/37588