One of the last remnants of Freo’s industrial heritage fell to earth this week with the demolition of the old foundry on Beach Street.
The 3226sqm site was cordoned off as ‘dozers and trucks moved in to clean out the site stretched between Beach and Queen Victoria Streets. Used continuously since the late 1800s, the site next to the backpackers and Toyworld has been sold to a consortium which is yet to submit a proposal to council.
Demolition was approved in June after council heritage staff determined “there is no longer any physical remnant of heritage significance on the site that can be retained, even for interpretative purposes”.
The site’s history dates back to 1897, when Sir Oriel Viveash Tanner built an office and warehouse there. By 1899, it housed a foundry occupied by Fraser & Co. Iron Foundries. In 1900, Bells Asbestos Western Australia Agency began using the warehouse and in 1905 the foundry was occupied by Port Engineering & Foundry Co. In 1913, the Fremantle Foundry and Engineering Co Ltd moved into the buildings, acquiring surrounding lots until the 1940s and 1950s.
In 2013, the business moved to new premises at the Australian marine complex in Henderson.
by CARMELO AMALFI