Cliff Street, 26, Fremantle WA 6160
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleMcDonald Smith BuildingAddressCliff Street, 22-32, Fremantle WA 6160Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No858Location Description Construction Commenced1895Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronWall – BRICK: Rendered BrickWall – STONE: LimestoneStatement Of SignificanceMcDonald Smith Building 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 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. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust.ConditionFair.HistoryCliff St in the 1850s was a busy thoroughfare connecting the sea front jetty with the river. Many businesses were located along the route. The street was paved in 1858 with hand-tolled Yorkshire flagstones by sappers of the Royal Engineers. The job was completed by private contract after the sappers were needed elsewhere. Apparently, convicts were not skilled enough for the job. To meet the expense, dog licences, poundage fees and fines were raised by the Town Trust. A cottage and warehouse were established on the lot from the 1870s. There are relics of a former limewashed and shingled house at the rear of this building. There were building applications for minor changes to the warehouse in 1961, 1962 and 1973. Currently (2013), various businesses. Physical DescriptionMcDonald Smith Building is a two storey rendered building with a zero setback from the pavement. The building has a parapet with spheres crowning small-engaged pilasters and simply decorative pediments. The ground floor façade has arched doors and windows, with stucco above and a single level entrance on the south side; the first floor has sash windows. There is an old corrugated iron shed to the rear of the building.Place UseOriginal Use – COMMERCIAL: Office or Administration BldgOriginal Use – COMMERCIAL: WarehouseOther Use – OTHER: OtherPresent Use – COMMERCIAL: Office or Administration BldgPlace TypeIndividual Building or GroupHistoric ThemeDEMOGRAPHIC SETTLEMENT & MOBILITY - Depression & boom|OCCUPATIONS - Commercial & service industriesState RegisteredYes
Statutory Heritage Areas
Statutory Heritage Area CustodianHeritage Council of WAStatutory Heritage Area West End Heritage AreaHeritage Area StatusState RegisteredHeritage Area InHerit Number25225Statutory Heritage Area Date18/07/2017
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date8/03/2007
Non-Statutory Listings and Surveys
Non-statutory Listings CustodianCity of FremantleNon-statutory Listings TypeMunicipal InventoryNon-statutory Listings Grading18/09/2000Non-statutory Listings DateLevel 1B
Non-Statutory Listings and Surveys
Non-statutory Listings CustodianNational Trust of Australia (WA)Non-statutory Listings TypeList of Classified PlacesNon-statutory Listings GradingClassifiedNon-statutory Listings Date01/08/1983
PARENT PLACE
Parent Place No22576
RELATED
Cliff Street, 26, Fremantle WA 6160. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 22/07/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/27256