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HOUSE, 14 ORIENT STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 14 ORIENT STREETAddress14 Orient Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No22871Construction Commenced1897Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronWall – TIMBER: WeatherboardFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY: Land allocation & subdivisionStatement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 14 ORIENT STREET, a single-storey, timber and iron house with a symmetrical façade is a representative example of late 19th-century residential development in the area. Built in the Victorian Georgian style, the house reflects typical style of the period.
Constructed in 1897, 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.
Designed 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.
Despite the later verandah infill the place retains a moderate degree of integrity, with much of its original fabric and form intact.
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).HistoryHouse, 14 Orient Street was built in 1897. In that year, Alexander Ahern was listed as the owner of the two room cottage, which was occupied by William Baker, an accountant. (Ahern also owned the adjacent property, 12 Orient Street). The following year, House, 14 Orient Street was listed as comprising three rooms. Baker still occupied the house. In 1899, Thomas Pennycroft, a driver, was the tenant. In 1900, the house was listed as being owned by Mrs Ahern and occupied by J A Andrew, a driver. Alick Ahern was the registered owner in 1902/03, when it was occupied by David Gleeson, a ganger. Title passed to Catherine Ahern the following year. A diagram dated 1908 shows House, 14 Orient Street as a square weatherboard house with full length front and rear verandahs, and centrally located front steps. A well in the backyard was located quite near the house, against the western boundary fence. The water closet was in the very rear of the backyard, part of which was fenced off to provPhysical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under separate corrugated iron bullnose roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. A loft addition can be seen to the rear of the house. There is a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.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
Constructed in 1897, 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.
Designed 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.
Despite the later verandah infill the place retains a moderate degree of integrity, with much of its original fabric and form intact.
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).HistoryHouse, 14 Orient Street was built in 1897. In that year, Alexander Ahern was listed as the owner of the two room cottage, which was occupied by William Baker, an accountant. (Ahern also owned the adjacent property, 12 Orient Street). The following year, House, 14 Orient Street was listed as comprising three rooms. Baker still occupied the house. In 1899, Thomas Pennycroft, a driver, was the tenant. In 1900, the house was listed as being owned by Mrs Ahern and occupied by J A Andrew, a driver. Alick Ahern was the registered owner in 1902/03, when it was occupied by David Gleeson, a ganger. Title passed to Catherine Ahern the following year. A diagram dated 1908 shows House, 14 Orient Street as a square weatherboard house with full length front and rear verandahs, and centrally located front steps. A well in the backyard was located quite near the house, against the western boundary fence. The water closet was in the very rear of the backyard, part of which was fenced off to provPhysical DescriptionSingle storey weatherboard and iron cottage with a symmetrical facade designed as a late example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof hipped with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under separate corrugated iron bullnose roof with square timber posts. The front facade is symmetrical with a central front door and timber framed windows either side. A loft addition can be seen to the rear of the house. There is a rendered masonry and timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.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 Date23/11/2000
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, 14 ORIENT STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 03/09/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/37642