The Fremantle Technical School is set for a new life under WA hospitality specialists Prendiville Group, which has acquired the longstanding landmark in a deal worth $3.55 million.

The Group is currently undertaking a master-plan of the 2,444 square metre site which will consider the activation of the old Infant and Girls’ School with a food and beverage offering, as well as the establishment of a small-scale hotel atop the existing 30-bay car park.

In the immediate term, the family-owned business has said it will consolidate all existing corporate staff, currently working across multiple sites in Perth and Fremantle, to 41 South Terrace.

At a glance: 

• WA Hospitality specialists Prendiville Group has acquired Fremantle Technical School from the West Australian Government for $3.55 million.
• The Group is currently undertaking a master-plan of the site which will consider the activation of the old Infant and Girls’ School - also housed on the 2,444sqm site - with a food and beverage offering, as well as the establishment of a small-scale hotel atop the existing 30-bay car park.
• The deal was negotiated by Brian Neo and Vincent Siciliano of LJ Hooker Commercial Perth.

The Prendiville Group purchased the site from the Western Australian Government in a marketing campaign managed by LJ Hooker Commercial Perth’s Brian Neo and Vincent Siciliano.

Prendiville Group Director Garrett Prendiville said the company, which has a three-decade association with the Fremantle community, was proud to be given responsibility of another piece of WA history.

“We're a company with hospitality interests across Australia, but our roots will always be with our nearly 50-year history in WA,” he said. 

“We know and love heritage buildings and have taken pride in enabling the community to experience part of the state’s history through our hotel portfolio. 

“The Technical and Infants and Girls school buildings are icons of yesteryear and we’re committed to honouring their past and future in Fremantle.”

Mr Prendiville said master planning of the site was in the ‘preliminary stage’, adding the school’s profile on the busy cappuccino strip and proximity to the Fremantle Markets enabled several hospitality-based opportunities. 

“We have a passion for respectfully breathing life into heritage-listed assets," he said.

"It’s only early stages in the master-planning process, but we look forward to sharing our concepts with the community in the future.”

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Source: LJ Hooker Commercial Perth

Mr Neo told WILLIAMS MEDIA LJ Hooker Commercial Perth had anticipated strong demand through the marketing campaign given the historical significance of the site. 

“We received 65 enquiries from parties in WA, interstate and overseas during the advertising period,” he said.

“We received multiple offers with the strongest coming from WA-based entities which speaks to the profile the Technical School has held in the WA community for more than a century.

"Our office, along with the state government, is very pleased with the result as the buyer is seeking to reactivate the site and add public amenity to the area, which will only enhance the suburb of Fremantle as a major tourist hub in Perth

More than 1500sqm of improvements are included across the site with zoning, allowing for a multitude of uses including educational, medical and healthcare, professional and creative industries.

Mr Siciliano said it was a privilege for LJ Hooker Commercial to manage the campaign on behalf of the WA Government.

“The Technical School is an icon within historical Fremantle,” he said.

“During the marketing campaign, we received exceptionally positive feedback from enquirers around the Government’s maintenance of the asset which has ensured integrity and quality of the facilities.”

Click here for more information about the site.

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