THE old Elders Woolstores on Cantonment Street is set to be turned into residential units with an internal “mews” style street, bringing the co-living movement to Fremantle.

The co-living model will see renters in 174 of the units sharing large “communal recreation zones” including kitchens, dining areas and spaces to work, according to developer Human Urban.

The City of Fremantle this week received an application from HU requesting permission to redevelop the 98-year-old building, which will see the original retained and restores, and an additional three storeys added on top. 

• Human Urbans’ plans for the old Woolstores building, which the Chook got a peek in (below) after it was sealed up for almost 40 years.

Co-living

The Woolstores have been vacant for over 40 years and will be home to six townhouses and 33 “boutique” apartments as well as the co-living units. 

According to the HU press release, restaurants, cafes, and retail outlets will also feature in the redevelopment. 

HU director Kyle Jeavons says they expect “very strong demand” for the residential dwellings. 

“We don’t have buildings of this scale anymore [in WA],” Mr Jeavons said. 

“We have got a lot of interest already, which is great.”

According to Mr Jeavons, the “sheer scale” of the Woolies’ redevelopment suggests there is “no comparable development” in WA, instead likening the upgrade to “adaptive re-use projects” in Melbourne, Sydney, New York, and London. 

“Throughout our design process we have always understood that this project is uniquely Fremantle, and we have a special responsibility to make sure our plans benefit the City and make a major contribution to re-activating this part of the CBD for future generations,” Mr Jeavons said. 

Last year, the Chook reported that the Woolies skate ledge, which runs alongside the building on Cantonment Street, could potentially be in jeopardy because of HU redevelopment. 

However, a deal was struck between the developer and the skating community, meaning a “notable portion” of the internationally-renowned skate spot will be retained as part of the upgrade plans. 

Building will start in early 2026, according to Human Urban, and is scheduled to be completed by mid-2028. 

Residents can contribute their feedback to the plan via the City of Fremantle’s My Say Freo website. 

Submissions close on February 18 at 5pm.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER