WEETIES FACTORY, 5 HARVEST ROAD

Statement of Significance

Weeties Factory, 5 Harvest Road, is a brick and iron former factory building dating from the 1930s. The place has aesthetic value for its contribution to the streetscape and the surrounding area. It is an unusual building style for the surrounding residential area of North Fremantle, with much of the industrial buildings being located closer to the Port. Historic significance for its associations with the industrial development and character of North Fremantle. Although converted for residential accommodation, it is one of the few factory buildings extant. The place demonstrates elements of the Federation Warehouse style of architecture.

Physical Description

A now double storey red brick factory complex, designed in the Inter War Period, this simple warehouse building contains decorative elements of the Federation Warehouse style of architecture. The Weeties Factory consists of a number of buildings grouped together forming a cohesive whole. The place has now been divided internally into residential units. The facades are divided into bays by brick pilasters, with simple brick detailing serving as recessed capitals. The steel framed mullioned windows set into the bays create interesting rhythmic detailing to the building. The single storey warehouse on Harvest Road has truncated gables, topped by a rectilinear pediment with simple brick detailing, at both ends. The building was extended at a later date along the Stirling Hwy boundary, with a simple parapet wall and a truncated corner. This austere facade is punctuated by the simple steel framed mullioned windows, and is dominated by the length of the roof line. The buildings have raised concrete floors to facilitate loading during its time as a factory. The roofs are supported by iron king trusses. Timber framed mezzanine floors have been introduced creating 12 two storey residential units and one 3 storey unit. The top of the three storey unit still houses some remnants of the machinery used - winches etc. The building is set hard against the site boundaries. Sections of the corrugated iron roof sheeting have been removed to expose the trusses and to create open air courtyards for the units.

History

From the nineteenth century, Harvest Road was important as an access route to Point Direction, the location of a sheltered landing place. Boat building yards were located at Point Direction for much of the twentieth century, during which time the Harvest Road jetty also became a popular family swimming and picnic area. Originally, Harvest Road began at Stirling Highway (then called Bruce Street), but from 1899 it was extended through to Queen Victoria Street (then called Victoria Street). Harvest Road has always been a predominantly residential street, developing steadily from the turn of the twentieth century, and characterised at least in its early decades as a place with a large number of rental properties. Three industries on the street were Purina (1935-55) and Nabisco (1955-88) cereal manufacturers (number 3-5), Rowlands Co Cordial, Wine and Spirits manufacturers (1908 to at least 1939, at number 11), and various marine industries, most prominently Browns Boat Building Yard (from c.1900), which was located between Corkhill (Elizabeth) Street and the River. Weeties Factory (fmr) was constructed in 1932 for Purina Grain Food Company, who manufactured breakfast cereal at the place until the mid 1950s. The Weeties factory made wheat flakes for breakfast food - a local competitor with Kelloggs which became very popular during the Second World War when it was impossible to acquire Kelloggs cornflakes. Production continued under the management of Nabisco Pty Ltd until the company was bought by Best Foods in 1988, at which time the Harvest Road factory was closed. From 1932 to 1968 the property was owned by Harold Frank and Harry Spry, later H&H Spry Pty Ltd. The original single-storey 1932 building was on the corner of Harvest Road and Burns Street. Some time before 1939 the place was extended to the rear (south) and a second storey added over the middle section. A third section was later added, abutting the rear, with provision for further extension that did not take place. Residents in the area from the time the place operated as a cereal factory remember the distinctive smell of breakfast cereal cooking at the factory. In 1988 the place was sold to John Gordon Blinco and Crystyna Blinco, who used it as a showroom, storage and restoration area for antiques. From 1996 the place was used briefly to store and distribute surf wear, before being redeveloped into a residential complex containing nineteen apartments. Sixteen were created within the existing building space, retaining original features such as exposed beams and piping, pressed metal floorings, and the sprinkler system and lifting gear. A further three apartments were constructed in the former car park to the rear of the factory. Prominent signs saying ‘Weeties’ and ‘Vitabrits’ were also restored. 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) - BROWN -significant for making a positive contribution to the built environment.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate degree of integrity (original intent partially clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability, some loss of fabric and significant internal alterations, external fabric relatively intact). Moderate degree of authenticity with basic original fabric remaining.Some loss of fabric. (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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