2 Henry St/ 41 Phillimore Street

Notre Dame University ND49 - ND 50- School of Physiotheraphy and Gymnasium, Classrooms and Research Hub

Formerly Falk & Company Warehouse, Customs House Facade

2 Henry Street (was 4 pre 1938) & 41 Phillimore Street (was 58 pre 1938)

Customs House and former Falk & Company Warehouse was a historic building with a number of prominent ornate façades on Phillimore Street between Henry and Pakenham Streets. The facade of the building and new extensions now extend south until the Lance Holt School (no 10) on Henry St.

Originally built on Lot 55

Architecture: Two storey, rendered, prominent and corner building, with original façade only intact, a brick building has been built behind the façade, which has a zero setback from the pavement. The façade, which extends predominantly into Phillimore Street, has engaged pilasters and a parapet with two pediments.

History: There were simple buildings on the corner of Henry and Phillimore Streets from as early as 1880. It is only as a result of the reclamation work undertaken in the 1880s for the harbour and railway works that development of this site became possible, as previously it had been on the water's edge.

The lot was originally owned by Harrod until 1896, when it was purchased by Gallop, and then to Lilly and Co. in 1898 it appears in the rates record as the property of James Lilly until c. 1909, but remained in the family as part of his estate until after 1940.
The Falk Building for P Falk & Co. (est 1886 in Victoria) was constructed in 1888, by architect F. W. Burwell in with substantial additions designed by Burwell and built by James Brownlie in 1903. These additions wrapped the corner and front onto both Henry and Phillimore St. Falk remained the tenant until 1905.

2 May 1889 New Business Premises at the Port, Messrs. P. Falk & Co. celebrated the opening of their new premises in Henry street, Fremantle, yesterday afternoon. At the invitation of Mr. Alexander the popular local representative of the firm, a numerous company assembled, among whom were present Messrs. Elias Solomon (Mayor), W. S. Pearse, M.L.C., W. E. Marmion, M.L.C., … (reference)

1898 In the early hours of this morning an attempt was made to burglariously enter the warehouse of Messrs. T. Falk and Co., Henry-street, Fremantle. At about ten minutes to 3 o'clock this morning, the watchman of the locality, Mr. T. Lowden, in going his rounds, found that Messrs. Falk and Co. back door had quite recently been tampered with… (reference)

One of P. Falk & Co’s Managing Directors, Mr Lawrence Alexander, was briefly elected Mayor of Fremantle in 1901 and 1902, after the serving Mayor E.W. Davies, considered insane, was removed from office. (reference):

1927 It is not unlikely that Mr. Lawrence Alexander, manager of Messrs. P. Falk and Co., Ltd., will be found to be something of a record-breaker in the business world of Australia. As a young man of 26, he received the Company's power of attorney for this State, and took over the management of the business in April, 1888. In those days the Falk establishment was situated in very humble premises at Fremantle. It had been operating here for 20 months before Mr. Alexander was sent across from the East as its third manager. Now after a connection of 41 years with Western Australia, it has still only had three managers. (reference)

1914 Suicide- George R. Rowe (44), manager at Fremantle of P. Falk and Co., Ltd., committed suicide on Saturday morning by shooting himself in the head and taking poison. Deceased was finishing his employ with the firm, and was to have handed over to his successor that morning. (reference)

In 1985 Commonwealth offices were built, on the site of a number of Victorian warehouses and offices, with only the facades of these being retained and the entire interior of the site being demolished and rebuilt. The most prominent of these older buildings, and the one whose façade now serves as the main entrance to the Customs House, was that of P. Faulk and Co. Oldham Boas Ednie-Brown architects and builders, carried out the $13.7 million redevelopment project. It housed the Fremantle regional office of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, Centrelink, and a number of other Australian Government offices and commercial offices.

2021 Currently used by Notre Dame for their School of Physiotherapy Gymnasium and Computer Labs.

OccupantS:

No. 2 Henry St.

Lot 74 owners: 

1829 - 1837 Gellibrand, J T

1855 - 1857 Leake, L

1858 - 1859 Horwood, J J

1876 - 1878 Horwood, J J(Jnr.)

Postal:

1898 - 1899 Falk & Co (P.) (L. Alexander, manager), wholesale tobacconists & jewellery importers

1935 - 1938 Barnard Ltd Eric, customs, forwarding & shipping agents

1939 - 1942 Daly Bros, shipping agents

1942 - 1945 United States Navy (stores)

No 41. Phillimore St

Lot 73 owners: 

1829 - 1837 Johnston, G F

1855 - 1858 Leake, L

1859 Horwood, J J

1876 - 1878 Horwood, J J(Junior)

Postal:

1902 - 1911 Preston & Co. H. J. merchants & importers

1912 - 1929 Nestle & Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company(1914-1929 William Lohoar, manager)

1935 - 1938 Barnard Ltd Eric, customs, forwarding & shipping agents

1939 - 1949 Daly Bros, shipping agents

45 Henry St

Notre Dame University ND39 - School of Medicine - Bateman Buildings

All the buildings in this group have historic significance and association with the Bateman family who were involved in the shipping industry in Fremantle in the nineteenth century.

The original owners, the Bateman family, arrived from England in 1830. John Bateman supplied provisions for the Swan River colony until his death in 1855. By 1859 his sons, John and Walter Bateman were the colony's leading importers and exporters, with their own fleet of sailing ships.

J & W Bateman's hardware and plumbing supplies, warehouses, etc occupied both sides of Mouat St through to Henry St.

In the early 1990s the building were converted for use as part of Notre Dame University. 

1893 - 1928 Bateman J & W, wholesale ironmongers, merchants & importers

1929 - 1947 Bateman Ltd. J & W, merchants, importers & wholesale grocers

1929 Bankers & Traders Insurance Coy Fire, Marine (J W Bateman Ltd, agents)

1930 - 1947 Eagle and Star British Dominions Insurance Co Ltd (J and W Bateman Ltd, agents)

1949

Bateman Pty Ltd J & W, merchants & importers

31 Henry St

Notre Dame University ND38 - Bateman Buildings

Architecture

Two storey rendered corner building with a zero setback to the pavement. There is a simple parapet and stucco architraves surrounding the arched sash windows. The attached building in Croke Lane has a taller and more decorative parapet and a central drive through entrance.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in January 2010 for a building at 32 Mouat Street (Notre Dame library building) by Philip Griffiths Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA0697/09) for internal alterations; a mezzanine floor, two staircases and a lift.

Building History

Original owners were the Bateman family, who arrived from England in 1830. By 1834 the family had built a stone cottage and a store, John Bateman dealing in provisions for the colonists until his death in 1855. By 1859 the brothers, John and Walter were the Colony's leading importers and exporters, with their own fleet of sailing ships, becoming the biggest ship-owner in WA.

J &W Bateman's, hardware and plumbing supplies, warehouses, etc occupied both sides of Mouat St through to Henry St, including lots 37-38 Mouat St, lots 50-54 Mouat St and lots 67-72, No 47 Henry St.

In the early 1990s the building was converted for use as part of Notre Dame University. Currently (2013), Notre Dame University.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared for 32 Mouat Street (Notre Dame library building) in January 2010 by Philip Griffiths Architects for a DA submission to Council (DA0697/09) for internal alterations; a mezzanine floor, two staircases and a lift.



38 Henry St

38-40 Henry St, Notre Dame University ND35 - School of Medicine - Fowler's Warehouse (Fmr)

The bold facade of the Fowler Warehouse, built in 1899, is richly moulded with classical details; pillars, architraves, a frieze and cornice. The balustrade bears the name of the firm D. and J. Fowler. The warehouse, which extends through to Pakenham Street, was entered through a 5.5 metre gate built for wagons.

D. and J. Fowler was a South Australian mercantile firm, whose importation of goods into Australia was significant at the turn of the century and they made a significant contribution to the commercial development of Fremantle. The company was founded by siblings from a Scottish family: James Fowler (1830-1858) and his sister Margaret, who immigrated to SA in 1850. James was joined by elder brother David (1826-1881) in 1854 and when he died in 1858, a third brother George (arriving in 1860) became a partner in the firm. They retained the name D. & J. Fowler. By 1865 business had grown to such an extent that they opened branch offices in London, Fremantle, Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie. They acquired the dealership for Shell products and set up a shipping agency to handle not only their imports but exports of wool, wheat, meat, flour butter and other materials. They manufactured Lion brand products, Fowlers Vacola bottling products and were agents for Amgoourie and Robur tea. In 1982-3 the company was taken over by Southern Farmers Ltd..

In 1897 their warehouse in Norfolk St was gutted by fire:

Despite the efforts of the brigade, the building, which consisted of wood and iron, was totally destroyed, together with the stock of general merchandise, which was valued at £8,000. It is, however, covered by insurance in an Adelaide coy. The building was valued at £600 (reference)

1899 A more substantial warehouse was built by Fremantle architect Frederick William Burwell in 1899 and opened in 1900. It included offices, a warehouse, an engine room, a packing and coffee roasting house, stables and sheds. See images in an article- (link) This warehouse also sustained a fire but this time was saved by the Fremantle Fire Brigade:

1905 WAREHOUSE ON FIRE. A fire broke out about 3 o'clock on Saturday morning in Messrs. D. and J. Fowler's warehouse in Henry and Packenham streets, Fremantle. The brigade turned out promptly, and extinguished the flames just as they seemed to be getting a good hold of one of the most valuable warehouses in Fremantle. (reference)

1905 D. AND J. FOWLER'S ANNUAL PICNIC. The annual picnic in connection with the Fremantle and Perth houses of D. and J. Fowler Ltd., was held on Wednesday last. The staff, numbering about 70 proceeded to Melville Park in drags, which left the warehouse in Henry-street at 9.30 a.m. On arrival at the ground the sports committee initiated a good programme, which was successfully carried out. The weather was perfect, and the picnic in every way proved most enjoyable. Article mentions names of staff (reference)

1911 James Rushby, a storeman in the employ of Messrs. D. and J. Fowler, fell down the lift of the firm's warehouse at Fremantle on Saturday forenoon, and sustained serious injuries. (reference)

1920 INDUSTRIAL BOYS ON STRIKE. About 40 boys, employed in the packing department of D. and J. Fowler's warehouse, Fremantle, went on strike this morning as a protest against what they characterise as the defective machinery which they have to use in their work. (reference)

1933 Mr. B. S. Kiernan, an executive was for some years with Messrs. D. and J. Fowler in their Fremantle warehouse: 'What he does not know about Chinese, Ceylon, Assam, Pekoe, Orange Pekoe, and teas from tip to dust is not worth knowing.” (reference)

1946 A Fatal Fall -WINDOW CLEANER'S END. Slipping from a position on the exterior of a Fremantle warehouse the windows of which he had been cleaning, Ernest Charles Meyers (47), fell about 45 ft. to his death. He had been cleaning the windows of D. and J. Fowler Ltd., in Henry street, Fremantle, with the aid of a ladder which was resting on the window ledge. He was seen by his employer, Walter Ernest Bush, to fall, clutching at the ladder which came away from its position… (reference)

The City of Fremantle purchased the property in 1971 and leased it to a wool stores company. In 1991–1992 the City undertook restoration of the buildings. It was registered as a State Registered Place on the 9 November 1993.

During the 1990s it was occupied by the Fremantle Furniture Factory.

2005: Notre Dame University leased the building for its School of Medicine

In 2004 the University, having received approval from the Commonwealth Government and with strong endorsement from of the Western Australian State Government, achieved accreditation from the Australian Medical Council enabling it to open a graduate entry Medical School on the Fremantle Campus in 2005. This was to be the second Medical School in Western Australia and the first in Australia at a private university… The Howard Government supported the initiative with Commonwealth funded Medical places and a capital grant for facilities. The State Labor Government, with the direct involvement and approval of the Premier, Dr Geoff Gallop, provided a $3 million low interest capital loan to help develop the beautiful and historic building (owned by the City of Fremantle and leased to Notre Dame for the long-term) designated to house the Medical School, in Henry Street, Fremantle… This new Medical School, under its Foundation Dean, Adrian Bower, and his deputy, Jenny McConnell, rapidly gained a reputation for the quality of its staff and curriculum, its clinical training experiences, and the excellence of its students and its graduates

From the Founding and Establishment of Notre Dame, 1986-2014 by Peter Tannock 2014

Occupants:

Lot 86 was originally owned by Curtis ( 1855) then transferred to M. Dyett (1856-1879) and Lot 87 by Lefroy & Vigors (1855-1878)

1913 - 1919 FOWLER LTD, D. & J., merchants & shipping agents, & at Murray st, Perth & Brookman st, Kalgoorlie; also at Adelaide & London.

1920 - 1938 Fowler Ltd, D & J., merchants & shipping agents, British Imperial oil Co Ltd (registered office), Canton Insurance Office Ltd (D & J Fowler Ltd, agents)

1938 - 1942 Fowler Ltd D & J., merchants, grocers, wholesale & shipping agents, North China Insurance Co (D & J Fowler Ltd, agents)

1943 - 1949 Fowler Ltd D & J., merchants, grocers, wholesale & shipping agents

1971 City of Fremantle

1990s Fremantle Furniture Factory

2005 Notre Dame University

21- 23 Henry St

Notre Dame University ND21 - St John of God Hall

21-23 Henry St (was 53-63 pre 1938) former Central Wool Company

Single storey painted brick and rendered building with zero setback from the pavement. Engaged ashlar effect pilasters flank the entrances, and a decorative parapet has a decorative pediment over the arched entrance on the right side of the building.

This building has been a warehouse and shops since 1880s.

2002 Notre Dame: The building was named after the sisters of St John of God because this Order, under the leadership of Sister Verna Haugh SSJG, had been a strong supporter, and Founder of UNDA.

To commence the project, Mr Horgan, using $5 million in short-term funds borrowed in November, 1987 by him personally from the Sisters of St John of God (Mr Horgan was a member of the Sisters’ Provincial Advisory Board), began acquiring properties in his own name in the West End of Fremantle with a view to on-selling (at cost) or leasing many of them to the University, as required, and as the University gained the necessary fiscal capacity… (reference below)

c. 1993- The Sisters of St John of God retained some of the mortgaged properties (ND6, 18 and 21) which the University could not afford to purchase at the time, and later transferred them, as foundation gifts, to UNDA.

2002 owned by Notre Dame University.

OCCUPANTS

Lot 64 owners:

1829 - 1837 Armstrong, Adam (Not the custom exciser)

1855 - 1859 Pace, A

1876 - 1878 Skinner, George

Lot 65 owners:

1829 - 1837 MacFaull, Eliz

1855 - 1878 Lefroy & Vigors

No. 21 (was 53 pre 1938)

1900 - 1902 Fremantle Lumpers Union (rooms)

1900 - 1904 Bolton & Sons, coach & carriage builders &c.

1900 - 1929 COLONIAL SUGAR REFINING CO. LIMITED

1900 - 1901 H. H. Symonds, manager, 1903 - 1929 J. T. Murray, manager

1933 - 1949 Parsons Bros & Co Pty Ltd, wholesale merchants (1933 - 1938 P H Willoughby, manager)

No. 23 (was 63 pre 1938)

1901 - 1903 BOURNE H. G. auctioneer & manufacturers' agent.; sole agent for Baynes' Graziers' Meats

1905 - 1908 BOLTON & SONS, coach & carriage builders &c. ; & at 45 William st, Perth

1913 - 1921 Pascoe, William H, sailmaker

1922 - 1938 Hood, Alex, sail & tent maker

1938 - 1949 Parsons Bros & Co Pty Ltd, merchants

Reference: the Founding and Establishment of Notre Dame, 1986-2014 by Peter Tannock 2014

35 Henry St

31-35 Henry St, Notre Dame University ND17 - St Teresa's Library - formerly part of Bateman Buildings

Architecture- a corrugated iron enclosed warehouse in the Bateman’s complex. It was redeveloped by architect, Marcus Collins c 1994.

Lot 68 was originally owned by W. M. Dixon (1829-1837) then transferred to J Ougden (1855-1858), then James Gallop (1859-1879). John Bateman bought the land next to it (Lots 69-72) in 1876 so probably purchased this land soon after- and it became part of the Bateman Buildings, which occupied both sides of Mouat St through to Henry St.

In 1931 it is shown as a courtyard space on a Fire and Accident Underwriters Association map. A warehouse was constructed there in the 1960s.
The interior of the St Teresa’s library was first adapted from its 1960’s warehouse shell to be Notre Dame University’s main Library in 1994.

The existing warehouse, in sound structural condition, was simply retained, painted, carpeted and furnished, leaving much of the original fabric intact. Essentially a warehouse with books, the library was completed for less than a tenth of the usual tertiary library costs. (reference below)

The development of the University Library – St Teresa’s Library – which became the centre of undergraduate academic life and endeavour. This library was developed from a raw corrugated iron enclosed warehouse in the Bateman’s complex. It was given beauty and substance by the architect, Marcus Collins, such that it became a show-piece for the University. (It was formally awarded the highest honours for architecture in Western Australia!) The foundation leaders of this library were Sister Carolyn McSwiney IBVM, Bruce Bott, Alison Kershaw, Bob Hoffman, and later, Stephen McVey. Archbishop Hickey made a special one-off cash donation of $250,000 from the Archdiocese to construct the initial phase of this Library. A major collection was purchased (for US$1 million) from the long established and recently closed St Teresa’s College in Minnesota in the US. The identification of this 170,000 volume collection and the recommendation to purchase it came from the NDUS Librarian. The Italian community in Perth undertook to raise funds to help meet the acquisition cost. (reference below)

St Teresa's Library supports the programs of the Schools of Arts & Science, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing & Midwifery and Philosophy & Theology.

A Heritage Assessment was prepared in 2010 by Philip Griffiths Architects and redevelopment was finished in 2011 by Builder W Fairweather & Son Pty Ltd and MCDF Architects:

The 2011 internal fit out of the library, including construction of a mezzanine floor together with other works including CGI ceilings and air-conditioning, bringing to fruition, the original intended design for the Library. The works increased the library area by 1200 m² (reference)

References: “Town and gown concordat?” Notre Dame and the re-making of the City of Fremantle, 18 June 2018, Hannah Lewi, Andrew Murray, Publisher, Australasian Urban History Planning History Group (reference)

and From the Founding and Establishment of Notre Dame, 1986-2014 by Peter Tannock 2014