AFTER sitting vacant since the building opened, the top floor of the Walyalup Civic Centre is finally getting some life, with three Fremantle-based organisations signing on to lease the space.

The Hub on SX, Business Foundations, and Harbour Space (formerly Fspace Coworking) will soon take over the 900sqm third floor under 10-year leases, in what the City says is a win for local enterprise and innovation.

Fit-out works are now underway, with the new tenants expected to move in around October.

Council public notices reveal the three businesses will pay a combined $96,000 in rent each year.

Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge says the trio are a perfect match for the Civic Centre and Freo.

• Nicola Devonald and Charlie Guilloteau from The Hub on SX, Jonathan Melnick from Harbour Space, council business director Matt Hammond, mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, and Susan O’Byrne and Phil Kemp from Business Foundations.

“This is a great outcome.We’ve secured three top-quality organisations that complement each other and reflect Fremantle’s core values — community, sustainability, innovation and creativity.”

The City hopes the tenancy will build on momentum from its investment attraction program, Propel Fremantle, and help boost Freo’s reputation as a hub for small business and startups.

Council’s city business director Matt Hammond, said the tenants had deep local roots.

“It’s great to retain this talent and help them grow,” he said.

“This sends a strong signal to start-ups, founders and entrepreneurs that Fremantle is a place where they can thrive.”

The Hub on SX is moving from South Terrace to expand its work embedding sustainable development principles across WA’s business sector.

Managing director Charlie Guilloteau said the new space would be a buzzing hub for smaller businesses and startups committed to environmental and social responsibility.

“Being in the heart of Fremantle, in a building like this, supports our credibility and aligns us with the partners we work with,” he said.

Business Foundations says the move marks a new chapter after 40 years in Fremantle.

“Our organisation has changed a lot in recent years, and this gives us a chance to shape a workspace that suits how we operate now,” project director Susan O’Byrne said.

CEO Phil Kemp added the new digs will allow them to stay true to their Fremantle roots.

“We were created in Fremantle to serve the community, and now we get to keep doing that — with a better view.”

Rounding out the lineup is Harbour Space, which has been offering coworking since 2013 under the name Fspace. Director Jonathan Melnick said they’d outgrown their old Market Street loft and were ready to scale up.

“Level 3 lets us double our capacity and stay anchored in the city we love,” he said.

“Natural light, shared meeting spaces, and proximity to like-minded tenants are key to keeping our quiet, connected coworking culture alive.”