FREMANTLE’S iconic Victoria Hall is one step closer to being sold after the council elected to negotiate its price with four eligible buyers at its meeting this week.
Designed by “prominent” architect John Talbot Hobbs, the hall was built in 1896 as the parish hall for the nearby St John’s church, but was renamed for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897.
The hall was purchased by the Council in 2001, which says it has invested $2 million into the building for its “architectural, social, and cultural” value to the city.
Once home to music organisation Fly By Night, currently, the Fremantle Theatre Company has a licence to use the hall.
The council opened expressions of interest in the hall’s sale earlier this year, and obtained six submissions overall, none of which were named in this week’s council documents.
• Fremantle council is to negotiate with four potential buyers for Victoria Hall, while (below) Ellie Molonzo performed for the Fremantle Society, which says it should stay in ratepayers’ hands.
Following a review of the submissions, four proponents will be “considered” by the council.
Two submissions were the “highest scoring” in the Council’s review, including “proponent 3” who suggested they would allow the FTC to stay in the building as well as facilitating leasing agreements with other community-based organisations.
“Proponent 5” was equally rated by the council and proposed “ongoing public access” to the Hall in the form of office or co-working spaces, support services, or meeting areas.
An additional submission was given to the council after the EOI process closed, which the council considered due to its proposed sale price and community-based usage.
If and when Victoria Hall is sold, proceeds from the sale will be allocated for the restoration of the nearby Town Hall, according to the council.
Fremantle Society president John Dowson says the council should refer the Hall to the state government to preserve its heritage while facilitating Freo’s arts community.
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“They should be going to the state government with a proper plan for both the Town Hall and the Victoria Hall,” Mr Dowson said.
“We asked that [of the Council] on Wednesday night… ‘will you get the premier to come down and have a look at these two absolutely magnificent gems, with a with a request for funding from the state government for these irreplaceable heritage treasures?’
“If the council is not interested, we’re going to do it ourselves… we’ve done it before.”
Mr Dowson says he hopes Victoria Hall “does not get overlooked” and is treated “with the respect it deserves” in the council’s sales process.
“I appreciate that this is difficult for a council to make money out of an asset like that,” Mr Dowson said.
“From an arts point of view, you’re not going to make much money with a place like Victoria Hall, which needs salaries and equipment for the theatre people, and it needs maintenance and restoration.
“It’s so important for [Fremantle’s] soul to have some culture that is represented in a building like that, which is so magnificent.”
The hall has received support all the way from the US, with John Hawkins from Seattle, Washington, who penned a letter to the Fremantle Society saying the hall “deserves” historical preservation.
Mr Hawkins says his non-profit, St John’s Trust, will be “very active” in supporting the society’s effort to keep protect the hall from “falling into the wrong hands” and its heritage compromised.
“This is a most serious matter and must be addressed with urgent haste,” Mr Hawkins wrote.
His letter followed a 90-strong meeting organised by the society in the hall last weekend featuring a performance by 14-year-old violinist Ellie Molonzo to highlight the venue’s performance acoustics.
Mr Dowson told the Herald that while the meeting also discussed the council’s City Plan, he didn’t find one person in the audience in support of the hall’s sale.
The council says it is continuing negotiations with all four proponents, who will be required to provide final submissions to the Council with usage plans and sales prices.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER