Built by convicts in the 1850s, the warders’ cottages in Fremantle are expected to sell for a total of $8.2 million.
Built by convicts in the 1850s, the warders’ cottages next to Fremantle Markets are expected to sell for a total of $8.2 million.
The sale of the 15 limestone cottages, grouped into three stand-alone terraces and occupying a total land area of 3,544 square metres on Henderson Street, was negotiated by Colliers International and listed on the market in late 2016 – the first time the properties were offered for sale in 165 years.
The properties were valued at $730,000 before the state government invested $3.4 million for conservation works, service upgrades, subdivision and pre-sale planning.
Colliers International told Business News the Warders 3 terrace, comprising six cottages (7-17 Henderson Street) were sold as individual lots to residential buyers; the display cottage sold for $755,000 and the average sale price of the five non-refurbished units was $594,000.
The six cottages in Warders 1 (19-29 Henderson Street) and the three cottages in Warders 2 (31-41 Henderson Street) were offered in one line to commercial buyers.
Warders 2 sold for $1.7 million in January to Fremantle landlord Silverleaf Investments which also owns the neighbouring heritage-listed property, the former Fremantle Police Station and Court House at 45 Henderson Street.
Warders 1 was put on the market with an asking price of $2.8 million and had since received multiple offers and was now under contract and expected to settle in 2018.
Prison officers and their families occupied the properties until the closure of Fremantle Prison in 1991 and prior to listing, the cottages were owned by the Heritage Council of WA .
Colliers International executive investment services Tory Packer said the warders’ cottages campaign had been a successful transfer of historic government properties to private ownership.
“The selling prices exceeded expectations of valuers and reflected strong demand for unique residential and commercial properties in Fremantle,” Ms Packer said.
“The new buyers will ensure a new lease of life for these character properties and the intended uses for Warders 1 and 2 will also add to the vitality of this popular Fremantle precinct.”
The cottages were the first major beneficiaries of the Heritage Revolving Fund, which is managed by the Heritage Works team in the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage.
Heritage Works collaborates with state agencies and local governments to transition vacant and underutilised heritage places to new ownership through heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, feasibility planning, marketing and sales.
Other recipients of the fund include the former Coogee Hotel and adjacent Post Office, also located in Fremantle, which are now under offer and will net an 88 per cent return on investment following conservation works and feasibility planning, according to a state government announcement issued today.
The financial returns from the sales of the Fremantle warders’ cottages, Coogee Hotel and Post Office will be returned to the fund to restore, reactivate and dispose of more government heritage buildings in metropolitan and regional locations, with future projects currently in the planning phase.
In addition to the $7 million available for investment in heritage projects, the fund is helping the budget repair task, with $2 million returned to Consolidated Revenue as per the terms of the original seed funding ($4 million over two years).
A substantial distribution will also be directed to Main Roads Western Australia as the seller of the Coogee Hotel.
Heritage Minister David Templeman said Heritage Works was generating financial and local job opportunities to the community and government by restoring neglected places to unlock their full potential.
"The program works because it reduces the risk to potential buyers of heritage properties and helps them understand how these places can be adapted for contemporary use,” he said.
“In return, asset values are enhanced and profits are made to reinvest into new projects.
"With one-third of places listed in the State Heritage register owned by the state government, this program enables us to lead by example and transform heritage places for the enjoyment of current and future generations."
