Subiaco’s heritage-listed Stranraer house revived after 30 years

AFTER sitting dormant for 30 years, Subiaco’s Stranraer house has undergone a $280,000 revamp and is now home to Tall Tree Early Learning.

The heritage-listed building, located on the corner of Roberts and Townshend Road opposite Subiaco Oval, was built in the 1900’s and used as a private nursing home until its closure in 1989.

Tall Tree Early Learning owners Bob and Rory Hindle said they had seen the property available for lease online and the rest was history.

“The location is great, it’s across the road from the Stadium, the building is in the centre of the property so their is open space around the building for kids to play around and its central to the train line and shops,” Rory said.

Stranraer house is well known for its corrugated iron roof, original gables with ornate woodwork and plaster decorations, porch and turned wooden posts and fretwork.

Property owner Frank Mizen said his mother, Constance Mizen, purchased the house in the 1950’s and he later took ownership in 1984.

“The house is an iconic landmark, nearly everyone knows about it – probably because it is diagonally opposite Subiaco Oval and it is a very stately building with four large palm trees,” he said.

When refurbishing the house to accommodate the new centre, Bob agreed to leave the internal walls untouched but to spruce up the century old-building.

“We did have to open some of the doorways up to make it wheelchair accessible, the old floors have been redone, we put in gas heaters, two rain water tanks, air conditioning, repainted the verandah and installed new fencing around the building as well as internal fencing, grass and turf,” Bob said.

Bob said Tall Tree Early Learning will open on June 10 and cater for children aged six weeks old up to five years old.

“Tall Tree Early Learning is more a boutique style centre, working in small rooms with groups of 10 children at once but 50 children are the maximum we cater for,” he said.

To make an expression of interest at Subiaco’s Tall Tree Early Learning call 6115 5588.