MINING billionaire Andrew Forrest’s property arm Fiveight has lodged new plans for a major hotel development in the heart of Fremantle, with the revised proposal boosting the number of rooms from 117 to 150.
A $35 million development application has been submitted to Fremantle council by Fiveight subsidiary Spicer Street Pty Ltd, which owns the prominent corner site at 10 Henderson Street, currently operating as a Wilson carpark. Submissions are open on the council’s mysay.fremantle consultation site until August 29.
The plans—prepared by Lateral Planning on behalf of Fiveight—describe a six-storey hotel designed by acclaimed architects Woods Bagot, incorporating 150 rooms, ground-floor commercial spaces, and an upgraded pedestrian interface with the surrounding heritage streetscape.
“The development has been carefully designed to align with anticipated public realm upgrades to Henderson and William Streets, supporting future pedestrianisation and increased public realm activity,” the report reads.
• There’s no more balconies overlooking the street (and therefore less jungle-like artist impressions) in Fiveight’s new plans for the carpark opposite the Fremantle Markets.
It marks a significant change from the previously approved 117-room hotel endorsed by the Development Assessment Panel in 2022, and which remains valid until October 2026. That earlier design featured prominent street-fronting balconies which have now disappeared, and also included basement parking and space for a restaurant and small bar.
The proposed hotel sits within Fremantle’s central heritage area, just 300 metres from the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison and neighbouring the historic Warders’ Cottages, Sail and Anchor Hotel, and Fremantle Markets.
The report emphasises the development’s heritage-sensitive design, claiming it will “enhance the character of the surrounding heritage precinct while transforming an underutilised site into a vibrant, pedestrian-focused destination”.
Revitalisation
The new application comes amid an ongoing revitalisation of Fremantle’s east end, which has seen the conversion of the Old Synagogue precinct, the FOMO Freo development, and the reimagining of Walyalup Koort.
Fiveight’s site—once home to the Spicers building constructed in 1899—has long been identified as a key location for redevelopment. In 2010, the City of Fremantle nominated it as one of 12 “strategic sites” targeted for higher-density development under its amended Local Planning Scheme.
The current plan includes four commercial tenancies on the ground floor and has been designed to encourage alfresco dining and greater street activation.
“Pedestrianisation of Henderson Street will allow for greater interaction between the proposed development and public realm, elevating the potential alfresco dining availability and activation,” the report says.
The new design retains a six-storey height, stepping down near the adjoining two-storey Warders’ Cottages to address scale and heritage concerns.
The site is also located within the buffer zone of the Fremantle Prison World Heritage listing, and heritage architects Griffiths Architects have been engaged as part of the development team to guide conservation integration.
The project, should it be approved, would consolidate the two lots making up the 2,834 square metre site into a single title.
While the proposal makes no mention of onsite parking, the report notes the site’s close proximity—500 metres—to Fremantle Station and several high-frequency public transport routes.
While Freo council will get to make a recommendation on the hotel, ultimate approval lies with the state-controlled Development Assessment Panel.
Fremantle council didn’t support Fiveight’s 2022 plans, but were over-ridden by the JDAP.
by STEVE GRANT