Chesters' Subdivision Conservation Area, Subiaco

The Chesters' Subdivision Conservation Area, also referred to as the Chesters' Subdivision Heritage Area, is a historical heritage area in Subiaco, Perth, named after James Chesters, an investor, property developer and later mayor of Subiaco, who developed the area. It contains many suburban houses from the Federation period of architecture.

Initial development
The area was first developed by James Chesters who made it into a subdivision of his properties (bounded by Townsend Street, Heytesbury Street, Rokeby Street and Hamersley Street) that he purchased in October 1891. Chesters began to sell plots in 1892, and the first home in the subdivision, named 'Stratmore', was built in 1905 on Chester Street, on lots 133 and 136. Many people of different classes lived in the area, from wealthy businessmen contrasted to junior tradesmen and white-collar workers, with large luxurious villas next to more restrained small family homes. Many of the smaller homes used the Californian bungalow style, though with restraint due to the smaller budgets of lower class workers.

In 1922, Chesters was investigated by a royal commission for selling lots in the subdivision multiple times before the owners' contracts had lapsed.

Heritage listing
The area was listed as a heritage area on 2 December 2014 in the City of Subiaco's local planning policy, to "conserve the cultural significance of the heritage area".

Expansion
On 28 June 2022, in a meeting of the council, the City of Subiaco endorsed an expansion of the Chesters' Subdivision Conservation Area after a review of the West Subiaco Local Heritage Survey and a proposal to expand it by residents of Subiaco. 14 properties nearby to the area were added to the conservation area as a result of the expansion.