COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 85-87 HIGH STREET

Author

City of Fremantle

Place Number

00925

Location

85-87 High St Fremantle

Location Details

Local Government

Fremantle

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1901, Constructed from 1971

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List YES 08 Mar 2007

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Municipal Inventory Adopted 18 Sep 2000 Level 1B
Classified by the National Trust Classified 28 Oct 1974
Register of the National Estate Permanent 21 Mar 1978

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 a fine example of a Federation Free Classical style building, with elaborate stucco decoration above the ground floor level, that makes a significant contribution to the streetscape. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust. Awning and shop fronts are not significant.

Physical Description

Two storey rendered masonry and corrugated iron hipped roof building with a highly decorative façade. The parapet has an engaged balustrade with a highly decorative stucco pediment on the right side, including a face. The first floor has four stucco arched windows with multi paned casements and fanlights, there are three engaged Corinthian columns. The ground floor has an awning over the shopfronts (probably not original).

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. Lots owned by Davies family from 1880s. Built c1901 by J McNeece replacing several cottages and shops, for George Alfred Davies, and stayed in the Davies family to 1950. George Alfred Davies was Mayor in 1895. Arthur Elvin Davies (1867-1918) was a Fremantle undertaker from 1888, Councillor 1906-1911, Roads Board 1905-1907, and a JP. The building was occupied by Tates Wines in 1940s, Penfolds Wines 1956-1980s. The shop front was altered in 1971 by Montague Grant Architect and in 1973 by Bennett Allen & Allen. Fremantle Wine Saloon in 1970s. Currently (2002), various retail uses.

Condition

Fair.

Associations

Name Type Year From Year To
John McNeece Architect - -

Place Type

Individual Building or Group

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Other Use COMMERCIAL Other
Original Use COMMERCIAL Shop\Retail Store {single}
Present Use COMMERCIAL Restaurant

Architectural Styles

Style
Federation Free Classical

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Roof METAL Corrugated Iron
Wall BRICK Rendered Brick

Historic Themes

General Specific
OCCUPATIONS Commercial & service industries

Creation Date

30 May 1989

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

26 Feb 2020

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.