MANNING BUILDINGS, 115-119 HIGH STREET MALL

Statement of Significance

The place is of historic significance as part of a group of buildings known collectively as the Manning Buildings, built in the first decade of the twentieth century by the Manning family and believed to have been designed by the prominent architectural firm of Cavanagh and Cavanagh. Historically significant as the former Majestic Theatre. 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. Awning and shop fronts are not significant.

Physical Description

Three storey painted and rendered brick building, the ground floor shopping arcade extends around through to Paddy Troy Mall, at the rear of the building. There is a large bracketed pediment as a parapet and small square windows below. The large decorative and central window has prominent stucco mullions and is sided by windows with stucco architraves and metal balustrade balconies.

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. The Manning Buildings comprise: 109-113 High Street, 115-119 High Street, 121-137 High Street, 1-5 William Street, 40-62 Market Street and 36-50 South Terrace. The Manning family emigrated to Australia in the 1830s and became the biggest landowners in Fremantle. The Manning buildings were built from 1902 to 1906 for a cost of £2,243, as an investment, by the trustees for the Manning Bros. Estate. The National Trust assessment cites Cavanagh & Cavanagh as the main architects for the buildings with various builders for the different stages. The Majestic Theatre (115-135 High Street) formed part of the development. There was public objection when, as part of a refurbishment in 1986, three of the shops were demolished to allow access to the shopping mall. There is a photographic record by Bruce Robinson & Assoc. done in 1989 for the Manning Arcade Project. Currently (2013), the buildings house various retail and commercial uses.

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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