IN the early 1900s the area around East Street was called Captain’s Tower Estate, its selling point great views of the port.

Plenty has changed over the 100 years since this home was built but the view remains the same–though the cranes on the wharf and the ships in the harbour are much, much bigger.

The vendor of this East Street home arrived from France a few years ago on a cargo boat, and bought the three-bedroom abode because of its connection to the port. The old limestone homes in the area and the high limestone ridge also played a part, reminding her of home: “Which allows me to feel at home in Australia.”

High on the ridge entry is via an arched timber gate, set in a high wall, giving the home an air of mystery.

The stairs are steep, but don’t expect to catch your breath at the top, because the view will take it from you.

From the expansive timber deck Fremantle is laid out like a carpet at your feet, taking in the port, maritime museum, and the blue, blue ocean beyond.

The semi-detached home, sitting on 397sqm, has all you’d expect of its vintage, with golden Oregon pine floors, high ceilings and wide skirting boards, decorative fireplaces and lovely ceiling roses.

A central lounge is a cosy space to curl up of an evening, and an exposed limestone wall adds to the heritage charm.

A wide doorway leads to the semi-open kitchen/dining area, a generous space where the modern kitchen melds with the home’s heritage credentials with plenty of timber fronted cupboards and whiz-bang stainless steel electrical appliances.

Two of the bedrooms are in the main house, while a third is a separate studio bedroom, which the vendor uses because she likes to throw open the big glass doors to enjoy the outdoor ambience of the timber deck and limestone rock garden and water feature.

Just when you thought you’d seen it all more steps lead ever higher and you discover more garden, including a vegie patch, and an outdoor shower with great views—and a garage that could easily be converted into another studio.

Don’t worry about the car, there’s room to park two off the cute laneway.

Not that living this close to Fremantle you’ll need two, the CBD is walking distance, as are a swag of cafes and boutiques, and the river foreshore is just down the bottom of the hill.

80 East St, Fremantle
mid-$800,000s
Jordan Marshall 0438 298 100
Locate Real Estate 9335 9007
open Sat 12–12.45