Oceanic Hotel (fmr)

Statement of Significance

Former Oceanic Hotel, 8 Collie Street, is historically significant as a hotel representing the development of Fremantle’s Old Port City from the gold boom period of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. 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. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust.

Physical Description

Two storey painted brick truncated corner building with a zero setback from the pavement. There is a simpler adjoined part of the building in Collie Street and a more decorative part in Pakenham Street, featuring extensive stained glass lead lights, where 'Oceanic Hotel' appears in the glass. There is a decorative parapet with four pediments; '1898' appears in stucco in the corner pediment, Pakenham Street is highly decorative. A bull nosed Colorbond veranda awning wraps round the corner of the building.

History

Collie St is named after Dr Alex Collie, R.N. Surgeon on H.M.S. Sulphur, and Colonial Surgeon. With Lieut. Preston, Collie explored the Collie and Preston Rivers. Dr Collie was later Government Resident at Albany. In 1886 rates records indicate the presence of the Welsh Harp Inn, and a cottage on lot 451, owned by William Owston Jnr. Lot 450 is recorded as having two 4-roomed cottages. W. Owston died c1899, but the property remained in the family. There seemed to be a steady turnover of publicans. It became the Collie Hotel in 1900 (Lot 451), with the two cottages remaining on Lot 450. The rates records of 1904-06 cite the property as being the Oceanic Hotel with bars, cellars and rooms. By 1952 lot 451 has listed two residences; 64/66 Pakenham Street, and 10 Collie Street. The 64/66 Pakenham St residence was entered as a lodging house from 1960 onwards, the residence at 10 Collie St remaining on lot 451, although later used as a storeroom before being used for lodgers, c1970. In c1980 the building was bought by the Rajneeshie 'Orange People.' At this time, the approx. 30 lodgers had to move out, as the property became accommodation for the Orange People community. This place received a Fremantle Award in 1983. In 2006, the Collie Street Apartment in Fremantle by Spaceagency received the Residential Architecture Award for Alterations and Additions. The jury noted the “high level of skill in inserting a very modern scheme into an existing historic environment”.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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