Swan Hotel

Parent Place or Precinct

22385 North Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

Swan Hotel is a brick and tile two storey hotel building dating from the 1920s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and strong landmark qualities. The place is a fine example of the Federation Free Style of architecture.The place is of historic value as the site of a hotel since 1888, strategically located near the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge. The original hotel was built for local identity and land developer, Frederick Mason and was later taken over by the Swan Brewery. When the original hotel burnt down, the Swan Brewery had a replacement hotel buit to a design by Eales and Cohen, architects, and it is a good example of their work during the interwar years. The place has social significance as a popular meeting venue for the local North Fremantle community, including workers from the nearby port and related industries.

Physical Description

Swan Hotel is a two storey brick and tile hotel building with symmetrical facade designed as an example of the Federation Free Style of architecture. Walls are brick with extensive rendered banding and details in strongly contrasting colours. The two main facades of the hotel feature some very accomplished decorative stucco work, including two 'swan' emblems, similar to those which appeared on the parapets of the old hotel. The foundations are limestone. The roof is a complex hipped and gabled terracotta tiled roof with red brick chimneys with decorative rendered elements.There is a timber verandah at the rear of the hotel. Architecturally, the hotel shows the continuing influence of the late Victorian "Italianate' or 'Free Classical' style which started in Fremantle about 1900, became popular for public buildings designed by the Public Works Department and was characterised by the red tuck-pointed brick with stucco mouldings imitating stone dressings. The expression of broad expanses of tiled roofs on the hotel and the general impression of solidity, even heaviness, is particularly characteristic.

History

Strategically located near the North Fremantle Traffic Bridge, local identify Frederick Mason had a hotel built on Lot P28 in the 1880s. The Swan Brewery purchased the property in 1889 and J Bick was resident as publican. According to the Rate Books, Bick purchased the property in 1892 and continued to operate the hotel himself until 1895, when Frederick Pamment is recorded as the publican. It appears from the Rate Books that the hotel had reverted to the ownership of the Swan Brewery by the early 1920s. William J Borwick was the publican of the 15-roomed hotel in Victoria Avenue (Queen Victoria Street) at this time. The hotel was rebuilt after a fire burnt down the original c. 1922. The replacement hotel was designed by architects Eales and Cohen for the Swan Brewery. (Possibly built by Richard Rennie). A sewerage plan dated 1940 shows the brick hotel with a closed brick verandah along Swan Street, and verandahs along Stirling Highway (Queen Victoria Street) and to the rear. Other buildings on the site were a galvanised iron garage and brick closet. Hobbs, Winning and Leighton designed alternations and additions to the Swan Hotel for the Swan Brewery in 1965. These comprised new toilets along Swan Street adjoining the ground floor lounge. At this time, the ground floor of the hotel comprised Lounge and Saloon Bar along Swan Street and a Public Bar at the corner of Stirling Highway (Queen Victoria Street) and Swan Street. The Stirling Highway frontage comprised a bottle shop (entered from the street) and office flanking an entry hall, and dining room. To the rear were the kitchen, small lounge and store. The first floor comprised 16 bedrooms of various sizes, sitting room, bathrooms and stores. Stores and laundry were located in the basement. M J McGrath Pty Ltd completed a drive in bottle shop in May 1971. Alterations to the kitchen were completed in 1972. The original bottle shop then became a trophy room. Further works to the hotel c. 1980 involved the addition of a toilet block and rearrangement of the internal spaces in the basement to create a popular bar known as ‘The Cave’. Some original windows were replaced with aluminium windows at this time. Buildings of this style in Fremantle include the Railway Station (1906), the Post Office (1908), Customs House and the Phillimore Street Fire Station (1908). The expression of broad expanses of tiled roofs on the hotel and the general impression of solidity, even heaviness, is particularly characteristic of the years between the wars. This place was included in the 'North Fremantle Heritage Study' (1994) as a place contributing to the development and heritage of North Fremantle. It was also included in the list of heritage places in the City of Fremantle identified by the Fremantle Society (1979/80) - RED -significant for contributing to the unique character of Fremantle.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, restored). 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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