HOUSE, 18 PARMELIA STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleHOUSE, 18 PARMELIA STREETAddress18 Parmelia Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No27646Street Number18Construction Commenced1898Statement Of SignificanceHOUSE, 18 PARMELIA STREET, a single-storey, single-room width, timber-framed and iron house with an asymmetrical 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 1898, 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 in the Victorian Georgian style, the house exhibits key architectural features such as a simple, rectilinear form, restrained detailing, and an asymmetrical façade—a variation that reflects the practical and evolving nature of colonial-era housing. While many Victorian Georgian houses feature symmetrical designs, this adaptation speaks to the flexibility of the style in response to site constraints and functional needs. 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.ConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryParmelia Street has had a number of names over the years. It was originally called Attfield Street (c. 1899), then Chester Street (c. 1901), then Attfield Lane (c. 1906), before being named Parmelia Lane in 1935/36 and eventually Parmelia Street. House, 16 Parmelia Street was built in 1898. In that year, two cottages (16 Parmelia and 18 Parmelia) were built for a Mr Smith. Both were of three rooms and were occupied by tenants – one by a baker and the other by a boilermaker. Mr Smith continued to own the cottages until 1903/04, when they were purchased by Neils Jorgenson. A plan dated 1954 shows the two cottages which were not conjoined, but situated on the outer boundaries of the lot, with open space between them. A fence ran down the entire length of the block. However, the two cottages were a mirror pair, with full length front verandahs.Physical DescriptionHOUSE, 18 PARMELIA STREET is a single storey weatherboard and iron single frontage cottage with an asymmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof is gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof with square timber posts. The front facade is asymetrical with a front door and timber framed window. There is a timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.Place 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 1898, 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 in the Victorian Georgian style, the house exhibits key architectural features such as a simple, rectilinear form, restrained detailing, and an asymmetrical façade—a variation that reflects the practical and evolving nature of colonial-era housing. While many Victorian Georgian houses feature symmetrical designs, this adaptation speaks to the flexibility of the style in response to site constraints and functional needs. 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.ConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryParmelia Street has had a number of names over the years. It was originally called Attfield Street (c. 1899), then Chester Street (c. 1901), then Attfield Lane (c. 1906), before being named Parmelia Lane in 1935/36 and eventually Parmelia Street. House, 16 Parmelia Street was built in 1898. In that year, two cottages (16 Parmelia and 18 Parmelia) were built for a Mr Smith. Both were of three rooms and were occupied by tenants – one by a baker and the other by a boilermaker. Mr Smith continued to own the cottages until 1903/04, when they were purchased by Neils Jorgenson. A plan dated 1954 shows the two cottages which were not conjoined, but situated on the outer boundaries of the lot, with open space between them. A fence ran down the entire length of the block. However, the two cottages were a mirror pair, with full length front verandahs.Physical DescriptionHOUSE, 18 PARMELIA STREET is a single storey weatherboard and iron single frontage cottage with an asymmetrical facade designed as an example of the Victorian Georgian style of architecture. The walls are painted horizontal weatherboards. The roof is gabled with no eaves and clad with corrugated iron. The verandah is under separate corrugated iron roof with square timber posts. The front facade is asymetrical with a front door and timber framed window. There is a timber picket fence to the front boundary and a small garden area behind.Place 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 Date08/12/2000
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, 18 PARMELIA STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 05/06/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/37657