Fremantle Courthouse

Built in 1899 and abandoned in 2001, the Fremantle Courthouse sat vacant for two decades before its redevelopment in 2021. Too often, heritage buildings fall into disrepair when their histories feel difficult to manage; this project demonstrates how adaptation can keep them alive and relevant.

The courthouse was transformed into a bar and restaurant, augmented by a contemporary glazed pavilion and expansive beer garden, with conservation principles carefully balanced against modern hospitality needs.

Original features such as the magistrate’s bench and dock were restored, while polished concrete thresholds mark the memory of removed walls – subtle gestures that keep the building’s history legible. Beyond its fabric, the project recorded and shared the stories tied to the courthouse, ensuring its intangible heritage is not lost but reinterpreted for new audiences.

Sustainability was embedded in the design approach, extending the life of an existing structure, reducing material waste, and ensuring efficient services for its new use. Today, the Fremantle Courthouse stands as a venue where past and present coexist, contributing to the city’s cultural and social life.

See a short film of the transformation here.