High Street, 72-78, Fremantle WA 6160
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitlePearse's BuildingsAddress72 High Street FREMANTLE WA 6160Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No920Other NamesCommercial Bank (fmr)Construction Commenced1900Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronWall – RENDER: SmoothFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesOCCUPATIONS: Commercial & service industriesStatement Of SignificanceThe 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 Classical style building, with elaborate stucco decoration above the ground floor level, that makes a significant contribution to the streetscape. The place is of social significance as evidenced by its classification by the National Trust.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as fair (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryHigh 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. Owned by James Pearse from c1900, as a shop with offices upstairs. Leased to a variety of tenants. In 1945 alterations for Pearse Bros. to the upstairs verandah were carried out by R A Ellis. A Heritage Assessment was prepared in June/Aug 2009 by Heritage and Conservation Professionals for Council (VA12/09) for replacement shop front windows and flooring. Currently (2010), various retail and commercial uses. Physical DescriptionThree storey rendered building with highly decorative façade and parapet with brackets featuring the name 'Pearse's Buildings' in stucco. There is central, large and highly decorative pediment with a small pediment either side. The ground floor has a veranda awning over the shopfronts; 72 & 74 appear to have original shopfronts and has small tiles intact, the first floor has casement windows with a fixed transom light above. The second floor façade has sets of three arched windows with stucco architraves and engaged low piers below. These, and pairs of first floor windows, are flanked by tall decorative pilasters. A Heritage Assessment was prepared in June/Aug 2009 by Heritage and Conservation Professionals for Council (VA12/09) for replacement shop front windows and flooring.AssociationPearse BrosPlace UseOriginal Use – COMMERCIAL: BankOriginal Use – COMMERCIAL: Shop\Retail Store {single}Original Use – COMMERCIAL: Shopping ComplexOther Use – COMMERCIAL: Shopping ComplexIntegrity/AuthenticityHigh degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). Medium degree of authenticity with some original fabric remaining. (These statements based on street survey only).Place TypeIndividual Building or GroupState Registered1
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
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey Date18/09/2000Local Government Non-Statutory Listing Local Heritage Survey Management CategoryLevel 1B
Non-Statutory Listings and Surveys
Non-statutory Listings CustodianDCCEEWNon-statutory Listings TypeRegister of the National EstateNon-statutory Listings GradingRegisteredNon-statutory Listings Date21/03/1978
Non-Statutory Listings and Surveys
Non-statutory Listings CustodianHeritage Council of WANon-statutory Listings TypeStatewide Bank Survey Non-statutory Listings GradingIncludedNon-statutory Listings Date01/11/1997
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 Date28/10/1974
PARENT PLACE
Parent Place No22576
RELATED
High Street, 72-78, Fremantle WA 6160. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 30/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/28346