Located in the heart of Fremantle on the corner of Henderson and William Streets, the proposal is for a mixed-use landmark development comprising a 5-6 storey 117 room boutique hotel with ground floor hotel lobby, retail spaces, guest amenities, back of house servicing, and one level of basement carparking. Ground floor accommodates the main hotel entrance and lobby on the corner of Henderson and William Streets, restaurant and café/bar spaces with supporting kitchen and amenities, function room, and back-of-house facilities including loading, waste and services.

Upper levels include a diversity of hotel room types as well as a guest bar and studio/function spaces on Level 1 opening to a generous courtyard space with circular oculus open to the sky– a key feature of the development. The rooftop includes a restaurant and bar for both the public and guests opening onto a generous outdoor deck with separated guest pool along the southern side.
The ‘U’ shaped building form has a stepped massing addressing smaller developments along Henderson Street and increasing towards new taller developments along William Street. These two interlinked and stepped forms meet at the corner of these streets, creating a dramatic hotel entry sequence, and acknowledging the diagonal axis towards Fremantle Prison – a World Heritage Site.

The building design includes a primary expression of large circular columns set at regular intervals, reflecting the layout of hotel rooms beyond. At ground level, these columns form a deep colonnade creating a sheltered building perimeter to activate the public domain. Deep recessive balconies articulate the façades and provide outdoor living spaces for guests. Integrated balustrade planters provide a layer of wild landscaping to these balconies, offsetting the regular column grid. Expressed horizontal slab edges further break down the mass and height of the building form.

Public spaces have been located to the perimeter and grouped into an open arrangement allowing for deep natural light penetration and cross ventilation where possible. A number of landscape spaces have been provided at various levels to maximise the opportunities for overlooking greenery and provide a sanctuary for patrons and guests.

The overall landmark design is highly appropriate for a strategic and significant site within the City Centre; a corner block which speaks to the adjacent historic buildings and sites of significant transformational development.

SMART DESIGN STUDIO ARCHITECTURE FROM THE INSIDE OUT