Reference numberE000232DescriptionThe current Commercial Hotel was built on the site of an earlier hotel (Albert Hotel, owned and kept by Capt John Thomas, on Fremantle Town Trust 1849-51, 1853-54, 1863-66, 1870, Chairman of Town Council 1873-75. There is a stained glass window in St John's in his memory.) It was known as the Exchange Hotel from c1882 to 1888, then Commercial from 1888, according to rates records. (There are also references to it being called the Southern Cross Hotel c1905 in Daily News 8/12/1976.) The hotel was rebuilt in 1908 by architect John McNeece; the builders were Bradley and Rudderham. Costing ?·8, 000, it originally had three storey verandahs and balconies, and stables and coach houses at the rear. Castlemaine Brewery Co purchased the hotel c1920; later bought out by the Swan Brewery from c1930. Repairs and renovations were carried out in 1941 (Allen & Nicholas Architects), 1963-64, 1985 (James Christou Architect) and 1994 by MRSA, Miller & Assoc. Building Designers. Grande Development carried out these recent changes. It has been Sun Dancer Resort backpackers' accommodation, with a bar on the ground floor since c2002.Date1985PhotographerWatkins, SkipPhotograph FormatPhotographDigital ItemYes
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Commercial Hotel at 80 High Street (1985). City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 24/05/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/8675
