WESTPAC BANK (FMR), 66-70 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 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. 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 a significant landmark in the Old Port City of Fremantle.The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust.

Physical Description

Two storey building on corner site. The first floor façade has elaborate stucco decoration, a parapet with balustrade and pilastered and stucco arched windows have decorative stucco above and engaged low piers below. No 66 addresses the corner The awning over the ground floor shops at 68-70 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. The building is known as the former Commonwealth Bank of Australia, though rate books do not show the bank owning or using a portion of the building as banking premises until 1925-26. There has been some variance in the information regarding No. 66 High Street. The National Trust lists the original owner as the estate of E. H. Fothergill and the date of construction, 1906. Mr F. W. Burwell is listed as the architect and J. McCracken the builder. However, research carried out at the Fremantle and Battye libraries indicates that the property was owned by Frederick Mason from 1882-1921. Mason alias May (c1829-1921) was a Fremantle jeweller and entrepreneur owning considerable property in the Fremantle and North Fremantle areas. Between 1906-08 considerable building activity occurred along High Street. On 22 February 1908, mention is made in the WA Mining Building and Engineering Journal (WAMBEJ) that plans for the erection of two-storey shops and residential premises on the corner of High and Pakenham streets, had been completed by Mr J. McNeece and tenders were to be invited shortly. By May 1908 the tender had been accepted by Mr J. P. Anderson for the erection of four shops for Mr F. Mason at a price of £5, 546. Preliminary works had started by 30 May and on 15 August the WAMBEJ reported that Mr Anderson was pushing ahead and the brickwork was well forward. By October 1908, the work was practically completed. Constructed of brick with cement dressings, the premises consisted of four two-storey shops with residential premises above. Late in November 1908, Mr McNeece handed over the building to the owner, Mr Mason. Currently (2013), various retail and commercial outlets.

Condition

Good.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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