COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 16 HIGH STREET

Statement of Significance

The place is historically significant as a former bank representing the development of Fremantle’s Old Port City as a centre of commerce and trade 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 rendered building with ashlar effect to the ground floor and bracketed cornice below the decorative stucco pediment. The central stucco and keystone arched entrance with double doors and a fan light is flanked by two prominent pilasters. There are timber casement windows to the ground floor and timber sash windows to the first floor with stucco architraves.

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.
In 1887 rate books show the National Bank of Australasia on this location. The building continued in use as a bank until the late 1930s when it was occupied by the Four Square Gospel Mission.
From the 1940s it was a residence before becoming Importers/Exporters and APT Shipping Co. from 1950s.
Currently (2002), Notre Dame University, International Centre.

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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.