FREMANTLE CLUB, 7-15 BANNISTER STREET

Statement of Significance

The Fremantle Club, 7-15 Bannister Street, a two storey rendered brick commercial building constructed c1906 and is of some cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is of aesthetic value both in its own right and for its contribution to the significance of the West End Conservation Area; The place is of historic significance as an example of a former hotel building in the Old Port City of Fremantle dating from the gold boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, and for its associations as the former Club Giovane Italia; The place is of social significance to the Italian community and contributes to a sense of place to the wider community.

Physical Description

Bannister Street runs in an east to westerly direction between Market Street and Pakenham Street. 7-15 Bannister Street is located on the southern side of the street. The street comprises mainly of two storey development including the face brick former warehouse constructed 1892. The site comprises the two storey Fremantle Club (c1906) building and additions and the rendered brick two level (1960s) with undercroft car parking building on the west of the former hotel. The Fremantle Club is constructed from tuck pointed brick which has been rendered and has a stucco paint finish. There are single storey additions to the west and the 1960s rendered brick first floor building west of the addition which is accessed from a link to the club. This building is not of any architectural merit. There is a simple parapet and pediment over the entrance on the west side of the façade where the name 'Fremantle Club (Incorporated)' appears. The first floor has a small balcony with metal balustrades and horizontal mullioned French doors and a fanlight which is not original. There are original timber framed double hung sash windows extant. To the ground floor there are some original timber framed windows and a large right sided entrance and a boxed verandah awning, which is not original.

History

Bannister Street was named after Captain T Bannister who was the buyer of the first allotment in Fremantle. He was an early explorer and at one time the Government Resident in Town. The first building on this lot was built during the1840s and was known as the Stanley Beer House. It was later rebuilt as the Duke of York Hotel c1906 when the building was purchased by Swan Brewery Ltd. (referred to as Nos. 25-27 Bannister St). Then following the end of World War 1 and due to the increase in Italian immigrants the Italian Club was formed and established their club in the former hotel in Bannister Street by 1920. As part of alterations at this time the neighbouring duplex was demolished to make way for a tennis court; the residence was retained. When the alterations were completed in 1927 the Italian Club with about 200 guests opened the new headquarters of the ‘Club Giovane Italia’. The premises had been renovated and one of the speakers stated “…that he had not seen a better equipped club premises in the State”. The club was used for Fremantle’s Italians to eat, drink, dance, gamble and, following the extensions in 1927, sleep. Plans for additions to the building were prepared by Allen and Nicolas for 'Club Giovane Italia’ and are dated 1939. The rates records show that the ‘Fremantle Club’ was established in 1952 by owner Wallace Henry Bowers. Adjacent lots at Nos. 7 & 9 were originally a duplex pair and a residence (refer sewerage map image). Numbering changed to 7-15 in 1961. Archival photos showing Bannister Street provides evidence of the former hotel [Refer book 'Old Fremantle' by John Dowson, p 103.]

Condition

Fair

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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