54-58 High Street, Madrid Restaurant, Fremantle Buffalo Club (was 68-72 pre 1938)
A two storey rendered building comprising of two structures. The largest and main building has an ashlar effect rendered brick balustrade veranda on the first floor; the ground floor has three entrances and two windows. The east side building joining and similar to 60 High Street, has a decorative parapet and slightly arched sash windows.
The original building was built c 1897. In May 1896 proprietors of the Perth restaurant of the same name (John Homs and Spaniard, Gervasio Vidal) opened a branch of the Madrid Restaurant in what was known as Marmion’s Building, 68 High St. (reference) Events like auctions, land sales, stock exchange meetings and meetings of the ANA and others were soon popular at the Madrid. (reference)
1897 Last night a largely attended meeting of fishermen and others interested in the fishing industry was held in the Madrid Restaurant, Fremantle... (reference)
At some point in 1898, with his brother Antonio, Spanish Catalan immigrant Francisco ‘Francis’ Andinach (1871-1918) took over the Madrid Restaurant in High St, where they also ran a fruit shop. On 4 Dec 1899, both a Colonial Wine and Eating and a Boarding House Licence were issued to the Andinach Brothers. (reference) The dining room could seat 100 people and the 55 rooms above were run as boarding rooms for bachelors. (reference)
With this security, In 1900, Francis travelleled back to Spain to marry his cousin Josefina ‘Josefa’ Duran (1880-1972) and she travelled back to join him in working in the Madrid hotel, where she also bore 11 children (4 stillborn). Read more of her story in the Notable and Notorious section.
1906 it was said of the Madrid Restaurant: “the interior of the premises have been rebuilt, and a large number of single and double bedrooms have been added. Now, with the completion of the new frontage balcony, it can be claimed that this is the principal restaurant of Fremantle. Messrs Andinach Bros, are awaiting the completion of the electric light scheme to provide the dining-room with electric fans, which are so much needed in the summer heat.” (reference)
1910 A stranger was found dead at the Madrid Restaurant. (reference)
In 1918 Francis died in suspicious circumstances at the Claremont Hospital for the Insane (resulting in a Royal Commission (reference) and Josefa was left widowed with seven children. She continued to manage the Madrid Cafe for another 20 years, until 1939, when it became the Buffalo Club (now number 54 High St).
The Fremantle Buffalo Club comprises of cellar plus ground and upper levels. The current façade dates from 1938 and alterations were carried out by Allen & Nicholas in 1941. There were further alterations in 1986 by Michael Broderick & Partners, including demolition of the limestone wall between the original club and a shop at No. 60.
OCCUPANTS
Lot 104 & 105 owners: 1829 - 1837 Johnston, G F, 1855 - 1859 Helpman, 1876 - 1878 Marmion, W E
No. 52 (number removed)
1897 - 1898 Stephens & Steer
1899 Giralt & Costa, restaurant
1900 - 1902 Black, George, fruiterer
1903 - 1905 Andinach F. A. & A. A. fruiterers
1903 - 1920 Andinach Bros, Madrid restaurant
1918 Matthew, Mrs Anidia, second hand shop
1919 Abbott, Harold, house & Iand agent
1920 Richardson, Albert W, house & Industrial agent
1921 - 1923 Richardson & Meters, auction, Industral & estate agents
1924 - 1925 Watson, Robert, land & estate agent
1926 Spanney's music wharehouse
1927 - 1929 Ward, J D, piano tuner
1930 - 1941 Frankina, S, Bootmaker
1941 - 1942 Vacant
1942 - 1946 Davey James, hairdresser
1947 - 1949 Hawkins, Leslie, hairdresser
No. 54(68-70)
1897 - 1898 Vidal, G, Madrid restaurant
1901 - 1902 Andinach & Costa, restaurant
1903 - 1905 Andinach F. A. & A. A. fruiterers
1903 - 1920 Andinach Bros, Madrid restaurant
1921 - 1939 Andinach, Mrs J, Madrid Restaurant
1939 - 2022 Fremantle Buffalo Club Limited, club
No. 56(70)
1898 London & American Supply Store (Canbor & Co.), mercers
1899 - 1900 Ricketts James, manufacturing confectioner
1905 Brown, Mrs C, milliner
1906 Miller, Leon, optician
1907 - 1912 Littleton, Miss E, furrier
1913 - 1920 Andinach Bros, Madrid restaurant
1921 - 1924 Fremantle Labour Bureau
(1921 Barrington, Percy R), (1922 Royer, W L), (1923 Phillips, Terrell, Wilfred), (1924 Phillips, Alexander)
1926 - 1942 Davey, James, hairdresser
1926 - 1927 Parsons, Beaty, tobacconist
1942 - 1949 Fremantle Buffalo Club Limited, club
