COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 48 HIGH STREET

Statement of Significance

The place is of historic significance as an example of a commercial building in the Old Port City of Fremantle dating from the gold boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. The place is a fine example of a Federation Free Style building, with elaborate stucco decoration above the ground floor level, that makes a significant contribution to the streetscape. The place is significant because, when viewed from the street, it is a substantially intact example of a commercial building which contributes to the very significant Old Port City of Fremantle.

Physical Description

Two storey building with painted brick to sill height and roughcast render above on the first floor. The parapet features two prominent pediments; three engaged tall columns on the first floor also separate the building into two shops. The first floor double sash windows with fanlights are large and decorative. The shopfront may contain some original elements, awnings over the ground floor shops are not original.

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. 48 High Street is located on Pt 80/81. In 1880 Pt 80/81 had a dwelling, stable, warehouse and shop located on it and was owned by Edward Brockman and occupied by Henry Albert, a butcher. By 1895 there were four commercial premises listed on the lot and by 1900 there were fourteen. Edward Brockman owned the lot until the early 1900s. By 1905 street numbers were assigned and 48 High Street was given the number 64. The street number changed in the mid-1930s to the current number. From 1905 until the early 1940s the building was owned by Hugh Spencer Brockman and William Locke Brockman and they had several tenants including George Slater (1905/06), a hairdresser, Ernest William Mathews (1910/11), State Butchery (1915/16) and from circa 1920/21 to circa late 1940s/early 1950s Salvatore Reale. In 1945/46 the building was owned by Edward John Brockman and William Locke Brockman. Ownership had changed again by 1951/52 to Nicholas March and Frank Walter Major was his tenant.

Condition

Fair.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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