61-63 High Street (pre 1938 - 79/81 High Street)
This building is designed in the Italian Renaissance style of architecture- on a south-east corner High and Pakenham Streets. There is a highly decorative first floor façade featuring 'Central Chambers' in stucco, a parapet with balustrade and five highly decorative pediments. The pilastered and stucco arched windows have decorative stucco above and engaged low piers below. There is an original entrance between the shops with stained glass leadlight sidelights and French doors between. The awning over the shop fronts is not original and the verandahs were removed in 1952.
William Pearse had a butcher shop here dating from the 1850s- a Georgian style two storey building with she-oak shingled roof. It was demolished to make way for this building, designed by F Burwell and built by Richard Rennie in 1907.
1902 ZEALANDIA Luncheon, Tea and Supper Rooms, (Late Crystal Luncheon Rooms), 81 High-street (next, to G. Armstrong, chemist ), Fremantle. Good Luncheons daily from 12 till 2. Grills at all hours. Afternoon Tea a specialty- Suppers till 11 pm. Mrs Shute (Late of New Zealand) Proprietress. (reference)
1904 Old building demolished ? ( see photo)
1905 ‘TRUTH'S’ Fremantle Office- After July 1st Mr. Edward Gilleland, of Attfield-street will be Truth's authorised representative for the city of Fremantle. The office will be shifted to that presently occupied by Mr. Gilleland in Central Chambers, High-street, where our representative will always be found at the receipt of custom in readiness to debate business and listen to the grievances of our large and increasing circle of clients. (reference)
April 1907 CENTRAL CHAMBERS. One of the oldest landmarks in Fremantle, erected 70 years ago, has recently been removed from the corner of High and Packenham streets for the purpose of making way for new and up-to-date buildings. The owners, Messrs. W. S. and George Pearse, have shown considerable enterprise in having erected one of the finest blocks of shops and offices possessed by the Port…. (reference)
1914 The Fremantle Photographic Society is a real live institution. A meeting of members was held at the Rembrandt Studio on Tuesday evening last, when there was a large attendance and the proceedings were marked with enthusiasm. It was decided to rent spacious quarters in Central Chambers. These will be equipped with a dark-room, which should prove a decided convenience. Photographic research work wHl be given close attention, and from a social point of view the society should prove a boon. The. membership already totals over 50, and it is anticipated that this number will be doubled before very long. Further details will be gladly supplied by the hon. secretary, No. 1, Central Chambers. (reference)
1918 THE ART OF PIANO PLAYING. Mr. Charles A. Huddle has vacancies for Pupils. Beginners received. Studio: Room 9, Central Chambers Next Nicholson's, High-street Fremantle. (reference)
1924 'The History of Economics' is the subject of a free public lecture to be delivered this evening at 8 o'clock, at the Theosophical Society's rooms, Central Chambers. High-street, Fremantle (reference)
In 1991 Duncan Stephen & Mercer Architects made changes to the shopfront. In 1993-94 the first floor was converted to two residences, as well as alterations to the rear and renovations of the façade, by the March Partnership Architects & Interior Designers.
2002 Fremantle Surplus Store and Aboriginal Art Emporium.
2013 Fremantle Surplus Store and Love in Tokyo
2022
OCCUPANTS
Lot 424 owners: 1829 - 1837 Hancock, John, 1855 - 1859 Pearse, William, 1876 - 1878 Pearse, W S
No. 61 (79)
1900 - 1901 Moher & Smith, butchers
1902 - 1906 Baker J. & L. butchers (whole-sale & retail)
1909 - 1910 Anderson & Co. P. H. booksellers
1911 Schipp C. K. bookseller
1911 - 1937 Hamilton & Co, estate agents
1912 - 1915 Anderson & Co. P. H. bookseller
1916 - 1930 Hancock, R D, bookseller
1918 - 1935 Victoria Insurance Co.
1931 - 1936 Burrows, C F, printer, stationery
1937 - 1949 Cox Bros (Aus) Ltd, furniture dealers & clothiers
1956 J & W Bateman?
No. 63 (81)
1899 Firth, Mrs F M, confectioner
1899 - 1900 Bignell & Falconer, stationers & booksellers (1899 florists)
1901 - 1903 Manallack & Falconer, stationers
1902 Redpath, R, electrical & mechanical engineers &
Miss Goodwin, Chrystal Luncheon dining rooms
1903 Findlay, William, house & land agent & Armstrong, George E, chemist &
Mrs N Shute, Zealandia luncheon rooms (Aug 1902)
1904 Drummond & Co. J. M. auctioneers & Haddy, H W, tailor
1904 - 1906 Simon, Samuel, dyer
1908 Anderson & Co. P. H. booksellers
1909 - 1949 CENTRAL CHAMBERS
1919 Punch, James, optician
1919 - 1921 Pearse, W S & G, land owners
1922 - 1943 Pearse, George (exrs of)
1919 - 1943 Hoey, William A, tailor
1919 Vincent, Mrs Winifred (reg off)
1919 - 1925 Bray, Mrs E R, costumiere
1919 - 1923 McNeece, John, architect
1919 - 1939 Theosophical Society (Fre Lodge) and 1944 - 1949 Theosophical Society
1920 Kelly, Mrs Emily (reg off)
1922 - 1925 Morlet, Claude M, medical practitioner
1926 - 1929 Dray, Miss Emily, toilet and tea
1929 Waratah Tea Rooms (Mrs B Dray)
1930 Casserly, Mrs Elsie & Butler, Vernon & O'Donnell, Miss F, music teacher
1931 - 1934 Monaghan, J
1931 - 1937 Dwyer, James
1931 - 1932 Lloward, Charles
1931 - 1935 McDonough, Mrs M
1933 - 1935 Cuckson, C E
1933 - 1939 Moloney, Miss Lily
1935 - 1939 Littleton, C H
1936 - 1939 Lowick, Edward
1938 - 1939 Cassels, Miss Jane
1939 - 1949 Mills, Harry
1939 - 1946 Nicholas, Robert & Christensen, David
1939 - 1943 Monaghan, Michael
1944 - 1949 Mackay, Alex & Cameron, Arthur
1947 - 1949 Smith, R, agent & McKay, G, Rex Tailoring Co, tailors
1944 - 1949 Theosophical Society
