NOT too many people have the street they live in named after them but Elias Solomon was no ordinary man.

In what has become a well-worn route the merchant prince worked his way through politics, starting locally as a Fremantle councillor, then mayor, before entering state parliament as MLA for South Fremantle.

In 1901, as a member of the Free Trade party (one of the precursors to the modern Liberals), he trumped the Labor candidate to become the first Member for Fremantle in the newly formed Commonwealth.

Solomon had an eye for real estate and so it’s perhaps apt the street named for him, running south from the monument, is now the port city’s millionaire’s row, boasting a mix of dignified heritage manses and new mansions of cutting-edge architecture.

This modest two-bedroom cottage doesn’t boast the sweeping ocean views of grander neighbours but you can see the sea from the raised timber-deck alfresco area. A second storey addition—subject to council approval—would have to be on the cards for new owners keen to better enjoy those sweeping views and make the most of the property.

There’s plenty of scope to build on the good bones of this heritage limestone abode, built around the time Edmund Barton became Australia’s first prime minister.

Like many of its period it probably started as a two-room cottage: the front rooms and hall have the honey-gold Baltic pine floors often found in Fremantle houses of this vintage.

Aged jarrah in the central lounge/dining room and adjacent kitchen attest to additions a few years later.

The generous kitchen is thoroughly modern, with a huge hatch to the living area, plenty of bench space and storage, including a pantry.

Accessed via a cute door set in the high limestone foundations an old cellar has been converted into a bar/games room.

Timber decking covers most of the yard but there’s a vegie patch, a hedge of mini-lilly pilly‚and a mature lemon tree is handy when serving G&T from the bar.

by JENNY D’ANGER

57 Solomon Street, Fremantle
$869,000
Nicola Fleet 0403 969 227
Yard Property 9339 1006
open Sat and Mon 1–1.40pm