The East Fremantle Post and Telegraph Office at 101 Canning Highway is a Federation Classical style building dating from 1900 and forms part of the collective significance of the East Fremantle Public Buildings. The owner purchased the former post office through the Government Heritage Property Disposal Process and therefore was party to a Heritage Agreement. element was engaged as heritage architects to help navigate the process of seeking approval from the Heritage Council for the proposed conservation works and adaptive re-use of the building into a real estate office.

As project heritage architects we prepared the concept drawings necessary to achieve development approval. This involved preparation of a full architectural drawing package to document works. Asbestos removal, making the building BCA compliant, a paint scrape analysis, advice on a new colour scheme, and new signage were all part of this project. We coordinated with sub-consultants including electrical, structural and mechanical engineers, BCA and lighting.

We prepared the DA submission which included a heritage impact statement setting out the planning and heritage considerations of the proposal. We then offered post lodgement heritage advice including liaison and presentations to the Town of East Fremantle and the Heritage Council as required to facilitate the determination of the DA.

Proposed works were approved by the Heritage Council, and the DA was approved by the Town of East Fremantle. We achieved a successful adaptive re-use of the building, retaining the cultural heritage significance while providing opportunity for a contemporary function.

The outcome is the revitalisation of a landmark heritage building on a prominent corner, which now adds value to the East Fremantle and Canning Highway streetscape and enhances the commercial tenancy value to the owner.

• Heritage Architecture
• Development Application
• Heritage Impact Assessment
• Post Lodgement heritage advice