DISABILITY inclusion group DADAA has been selected as new tenants for the heritage listed Old Boys’ School in Freo’s inner east-end.

The 162-year-old building was most recently inhabited by the Film and Television Institute, which moved out in 2014 when Fremantle council began $2m restoration works.

DADAA beat 11 other candidates to secure the head tenant spot, ticking all the selection criteria; community benefit, financial stability, and ongoing activation of the precinct.

Although executive director David Doyle says DADAA will be sad to leave behind the river-front views of its Beach Street hq, he’s keen to be in the heart of Fremantle and hopes restoration will finish soon so they can move in by September/ October.

• DADAA board members, staff and artists gather outside their future home with Fremantle Foundation’s Dylan Smith and councillors Jon Strachan and Dave Coggin.

With four times the studio space, the new facility is much larger.

“It’s really important that our building is in the middle of town, close to public transport, and integrated with the fabric of the towns we work in,” Mr Doyle said.

The organisation plans to host exhibitions, and offer band facilities, a community cinema, an urban orchard, and a cafe staffed by an inclusive workforce.

Built in 1854, the Fremantle Boys’ School and the Perth Boys’ School are the oldest government-built educational buildings in Western Australia.

DADAA will share the culturally significant space with philanthropic community group the Fremantle Foundation.

by TRILOKESH CHANMUGAM