Atwell Buildings

Statement of Significance

The Atwell Buildings (known as Pellew's Drapery) have historical significance as the businesses they housed were run by the same family for many years, contributing to the commercial development of central Fremantle. The place is of historic significance as an example of a commercial building in the Fremantle Town Centre dating from the early decades of the 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 painted English Bond brick corner building with Atwell Arcade extending around and through to Cantonment Street. The facade has a simple parapet and a decorative pediment where 'AD 1895' appears in stucco; 'Atwell Building' appears below, in the parapet. Engaged pilasters divide the building into bays. The timber double hung sash windows are surrounded by aedicules with engaged balustrade below. There is a verandah awning, which is probably not original.

Culley's, a tea rooms in the building, serving Fremantle since 1925 was a Heritage Festival award winner - (Significant contribution to Fremantle's Heritage by an individual or group), 2009.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in April 2010 by Philip Griffiths Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA0091/10) in relation to unauthorised signage.

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.

Atwell Buildings, 112-122 High Street was completed between 1895 and 1929, by architect J. NcNeece, a two storey commercial building which is now part of the Mall. The new building replaced an older house and shop. In 1898, J. H. Pellew, draper, occupied the shop and rooms on High Street. In 1903 Henry Atwell and E. Atwell bought the building and leasing the shop to Pellew and in 1906 other buildings were replaced and incorporated into the existing long facade.

In 1929 the arcade was constructed and Sarah Phoebe Atwell became sole owner. In 1979 Atwell's arcade was renovated. Much of the 1905 shopfront remained unaltered. In 1985 when an application was made to construct a new front to Pellew's drapery the application was refused by Council. Pellew's went out of business in the 1990s.
In 2002 the building comprised various commercial and retail outlets.

Culley's, a tea rooms in the building, serving Fremantle since 1925 was a Heritage Festival award winner - (Significant contribution to Fremantle's Heritage by an individual or group), 2009.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in April 2010 by Philip Griffiths Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA0091/10) in relation to unauthorised signage.

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