Fremantle Customs House
| Old Customs House | |
|---|---|
1926
|
|
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Federation Free |
| Location | 32°03′17″S 115°44′32″E / 32.054649°S 115.742359°E |
| Address | 4-8 Phillimore Street (corner of Cliff Street and Phillimore Streets) |
| Town or city | Fremantle |
| Country | Australia |
| Current tenants | Artsource WA Circus School |
| Construction started | 1908 |
| Opened | 1908 |
| Cost | £10,000 (planned) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | two |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Public Works Department |
| Main contractor | Ashman and Warner |
The Old Customs House is a building in Fremantle, Western Australia that was built in 1908 to house the main branch of the Customs Department of Western Australia. It is one of only a handful of extant Customs Houses in the state; others are in Albany, Broome, Cossack, and Geraldton.
It was built on the corner of Cliff Street and Phillimore Streets on the site of the old railway station, a location selected by William Lyne (and recommended by the Fremantle Citizens League). William Hedges also lobbied in support of the location.
An earlier idea of renovating the old Post Office building for Customs' use was scrapped.
On 18 September 1907, the state government allocated £7,500 (of the total projected cost of £10,000) to be spent on construction in the following year.
The architectural plans were prepared by the State's Public Works Department under the supervision of the Principal Architect, Hillson Beasley. The building construction was undertaken by a local firm, Ashman and Warner, under the supervision of Mr Sefton of the Public Works Department.
The two storey building is constructed of brick on a base of Cottesloe limestone. The heavily moulded cornices and facings were constructed from Donnybrook stone, which was chosen in preference (due to lower cost, and better weather resistance) to Sydney freestone. Western Australian timbers were also used.
The Postmaster-General decided not to open a telegraph office in the new building, because one already existed close by.
In 1986 the building was used to house the Fremantle Arts Foundation (FAF), with the creation of eight artist's studios. The FAF was established by the State Government to provide a cultural component to 1987 America's Cup Defence. The building was subsequently purchased by the State and managed by the Foundation. In 1992 FAF changed its name to the Artists Foundation of Western Australia Ltd (AFWA), providing support for visual artists through statewide delivery of professional development, support and advocacy services. In 2004 AFWA was rebranded and now trades as Artsource. The building now accommodates 24 artist's studios. The building also houses the WA Circus School.
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