Commercial Bank (fmr)

Statement of Significance

The place is of historic significance as an example of a commercial building in the Old Port City of Fremantle dating from the gold boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place is significant because, when viewed from the street, it is a substantially intact example of a federation period commercial building which contributes to the very significant Old Port City of Fremantle. Significant for associations with Fremantle businessman H.J. Higham. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust.

Physical Description

Two storey rendered building with a truncated corner adjoining 18 High Street, with a zero setback from the pavement. The ground floor has ashlar effect rendering and the first floor features quoining. The decorative parapet has engaged low piers above a bracketed cornice. The entrance across the truncated corner has a pair of glazed doors that are probably not original and the double hung sash windows are arched with stucco architraves on the first floor.

History

High Street was named by Surveyor General Roe - as was customary in English towns, the main street of the town was named High Street. Eastward from William Street the roadway was completed by convict labour after the Town Hall was built in 1887. High Street around the Town Hall closed to traffic in 1966. The High Street Mall was trialled in November 1973 and made a permanent pedestrian mall in 1975.
Rates records show that the property was originally held by the Habgoods. The lot was subdivided in 1883; one of the lots having a 5 roomed cottage, the other undeveloped. In 1884 the National Bank purchased the property from Mrs Habgood. But although from 1885 the site of this building was designated for a bank, it was not until 1902/03 that Harry James Higham was listed in the rate books as occupier of the Commercial Bank with four other offices listed in addition.
In 2002 the building was vacant, and has since been taken over for Notre Dame University.

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This data is provided by the City of Fremantle. While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this data, the City of Fremantle makes no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which you might incur as a result of the data being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason. Under no circumstances should this data be used to carry out any work without first contacting the City of Fremantle for the appropriate confirmation and approval.