Refurbishment on Fremantle Town Hall balcony increases venue's capacity

The $600,000 refurbishment project to upgrade the Fremantle Town Hall balcony area and increase the venue's capacity is now complete. Builders from heritage restoration specialists, CLPM, re-levelled the tiers, increased the balustrade height, installed new seats, handrails, carpet, and floor lighting and completed general restoration works.

One of the new features is an area for patrons with accessibility needs and their companions, with lift access from the adjacent Walyalup Civic Centre building.

A row of seats from when the balcony was added in 1895 and a row of seats and seat ends from the art deco period have been refurbished and retained for display purposes.

The City is currently deciding what to do with the remaining seating components salvaged during the works, which are currently stored in the City's Civic Collection.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the project will help ensure the future viability of the venue and noted "Council has committed to a comprehensive, staged program of works so that this grand old dame can be used to her full potential by the community for another century and beyond."

The Fremantle Town Hall is one of Fremantle's most iconic historic buildings and has been the place for many a community event over its 138-year history.

The heritage-listed building first opened in 1887 and is one of Perth's best examples of Victorian Free Classical style architecture.

The balcony project was made possible by a Commonwealth Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program grant from the Federal Government.