Winds of change in Fremantle

East Fremantle’s historic Trade-winds Hotel on Canning Highway is undergoing a $1 million renovation of its restaurant and beer garden.

The ‘Tradie’, as it is affectionately known, has been substantially upgraded during the past year, with each of its 85 rooms and the function centre refurbished.

Tradewinds owner and Prendiville Group director, Peter Prendiville, told WA Business News the impetus behind the latest renovation was to open the existing restaurant up to a combination of indoor and alfresco dining.

The kitchen will also be extended to manage the hotel’s increased restaurant capacity and new menu. 

“The days of old-style liquor retailing and beer gardens are gone. Establishments like the Nedlands Hotel, Subiaco Hotel and The Brisbane have raised the bar; it’s all about providing quality food and beverage,” Mr Prendiville said.

Due for completion in July, the renovation will include the installation of raised timber decking to cover one third of the courtyard, providing greater views of the river, in addition to extensive landscaping and shading.

A portable bar will be assembled in the courtyard during warmer months.

“The old landscaping didn’t engage with the river, but since council has removed all the old light poles, it’s given us the chance to make the most of the great views of the river,” Mr Prendiville said.

He expects the Tradewinds’ clientele will be varied, with a mixture of middle-aged corporate types who live nearby.

“We will get the younger crowd who appreciate finer food and beverage, but we’ll be conscious of the atmosphere for our hotel guests, which can number 200 at any one time,” Mr Prendiville said.

The recent refurbishment has had a positive effect on occupancy rates, according to Mr Prendiville, with the current rate of 90 per cent well above the average 80 per cent occupancy rate for the past 12 months.

The Prendiville Group has owned the hotel for the past 17 years and has built a significant portfolio of properties since, including the Swan Valley’s Sandalford Winery, the Norfolk Hotel, and Pier 21 Resort in Fremantle and the Tropicana Inn Broome.

Mr Prendiville said the hotel market in Broome was booming and the inn was doing very well.

The group acquired the 3.5-star hotel in 2005 for $5.3 million as part of a syndicate of investors that included Perth-based companies Churchill Capital and Charter Property.

Planning approval has been granted for a $35 million redevelopment of the property.

Mr Prendiville said a builder would be appointed to the project next month, after which the hotel’s capacity would be almost tripled to 251 rooms.

If all these hotels are not enough for the seasoned hotelier to handle, Mr Prendiville has also put his hat in the ring to run Rottnest Island’s landmark pub, the Quokka Arms.

The group made headlines in January when it was named the preferred applicant to manage the Quokka Arms by Tourism Minister Sheila McHale.

Mr Prendiville would not be drawn on the Quokka Arms deal, except to say lease negotiations were ongoing with the Rottnest Island Authority.

It is understood the Prendiville Group is hoping to spend more than $6.5 million upgrading the pub and hotel, which has been run by the authority since 2000.