COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1 LOUISA STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162
DESCRIPTION
Heritage TitleCOMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1 LOUISA STREETAddress1 Louisa Street SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162Geo tag[1] Heritage Place No27551Street Number1Construction Commenced1947cStatement Of SignificanceCOMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1 LOUISA STREET, single-storey brick and iron commercial building at has historical, aesthetic, and social significance. Constructed circa 1947, the building represents Fremantle’s post-war industrial and maritime development and contributes to the broader narrative of the city’s strong connection to the boat-building and maritime industries. The site has a continuous association with the Mews family from circa 1900, when they operated a galvanised iron boat shed at the rear of the lot, as shown on a 1907 diagram. From circa 1910, Robert Mews, a boat builder, was recorded as occupying the site at the end of Louisa Street, reflecting its role in Fremantle’s early 20th-century maritime industry.
The construction of the current single-storey brick and iron building around 1947, with Victor Mews listed at 1 Louisa Street from that time, marks an evolution in the site’s use while maintaining its connection to boat building. The shift from a temporary iron boat shed to a more substantial brick and iron structure reflects the growth and modernization of maritime- related businesses in the mid-20th century.
The single-storey brick and iron construction of the building is characteristic of post-war commercial and industrial architecture in Fremantle. Its utilitarian design, simple brickwork, and use of corrugated iron roofing are typical of small-scale industrial buildings from the period. While built for function rather than ornamentation, the structure is a representative example of mid-20th-century commercial and industrial architecture, contributing to the historic streetscape of Louisa Street.
Statutory Heritage Areas
Statutory Heritage Area CustodianCity of FremantleStatutory Heritage Area South Fremantle Heritage AreaHeritage Area StatusContributoryHeritage Area InHerit Number22386Statutory Heritage Area Date14/10/2000
Local Government Statutory Heritage Listings
Local Government Statutory Listing CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Statutory Listing TypeHeritage ListLocal Government Statutory Listing StatusYesLocal Government Statutory Listing Date27/08/2025
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey
Local Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey CustodianCity of FremantleLocal Government Non-Statutory Local Heritage Survey Date27/08/2025Local Government Non-Statutory Listing Local Heritage Survey Management CategoryLevel 3
PARENT PLACE
Parent Place No22386Parent place nameSouth Fremantle Heritage Area
COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1 LOUISA STREET, SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 10/04/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/37481
