Market Street, 51-57, Fremantle WA 6160
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleIMPERIAL CHAMBERSAddress51-57 Market Street FREMANTLE WA 6160Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No954Location DescriptionStreet Number51-57Construction Commenced1896Construction MaterialRoof – METAL: Corrugated IronWall – BRICK: Painted BrickWall – RENDER: SmoothFormer W.A. Heritage ThemesOCCUPATIONS: Commercial & service industriesStatement Of SignificanceImperial Chambers 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 of architecture with elaborate stucco decoration above the ground floor level. The place makes a significant contribution to the streetscape. 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.ArchaeologyConditionCondition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).HistoryErected in 1896 for Edwin Foss, and remained in the family until 1947. Currently (2002), various commercial outlets. A Heritage Assessment was prepared in Aug 2009 by Carrick + Wills Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA248/09) for proposed internal and external alterations and signage to retail premises, Morrison, 55 Market Street. Physical DescriptionImperial Chambers, 51-57 Market Street (corner Leake St), is a painted, rendered brick and decorative parapeted two storey commercial building constructed in 1896 as a fine example of the Federation Free Classical style of Architecture. It has a truncated corner with a zero setback from the pavement. There is a bracketed, gabled and engaged balustrade, and a decorative parapet with two gabled decorative pediments. The prominent pediment facing Market Street has 'Imperial Chambers 1896' appearing in stucco. The ground floor has a veranda awning (probably not original). The first floor façade features engaged pilasters extending through the parapet, and dividing pairs of timber sash windows, which have decorative stucco in arches in the aedicule. A Heritage Assessment was prepared in Aug 2009 by Carrick + Wills Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA248/09) for proposed internal and external alterations and signage to retail premises, Morrison, 55 Market Street. AssociationEdwin FossO NicholsonPlace UseOriginal Use – COMMERCIAL: Shopping ComplexPresent Use – COMMERCIAL: Shopping ComplexArchitectural StylesIntegrity/AuthenticityHigh degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability). High degree of authenticity with much 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 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
Market Street, 51-57, Fremantle WA 6160. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 30/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/29355