Walyalup Koort a winner at WA Property Awards

The redevelopment of the heart of Fremantle has added another award to its growing list of accolades by taking out the Best Mixed-Use Development at the Property Council of Australia’s 2022 WA Property Awards.

The $270 million Walyalup Koort renewal project was a partnership between the City of Fremantle and Sirona Urban, with the aim of revitalising Fremantle’s civic heart and attracting more people to live, work and play in Freo.

Sirona Urban’s contribution to the project included the transformation of the old Myer and Queensgate buildings into state-of-the-art office space for two state government departments, as well as the FOMO retail, hospitality, art and amusement precinct and the refurbishment of the multi-level Henderson Street car park.

The City of Fremantle’s contribution included the construction of the award-winning Walyalup Civic Centre, restoration of the historic Fremantle Town Hall and a new civic precinct including new public facilities and a nature playground.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the redevelopment of Walyalup Koort had been a long journey.

“More than a decade ago the Fremantle Council realised something dramatic was needed to arrest the decline in Fremantle’s local economy and bring back some confidence in Freo as a place to invest,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“That something was the renewal of Kings Square – the single largest project ever undertaken in the history of the City of Fremantle.

“Acknowledgement must go to former Mayor Brad Pettitt and the other members of the council who made the brave decision to start this journey, and also to Matthew McNeilly and everyone at Sirona for sharing our vision for this project and our faith in Fremantle.

“Thanks also to the state government for its commitment to relocate departments to Fremantle, Kerry Hill Architects for designing the magnificent Walyalup Civic Centre and Pindan and the CDI Group for building it for us.

“My appreciation also goes to all the staff at the City of Fremantle for their efforts and sacrifices in getting this project over the line.

“The success of the redevelopment of Walyalup Koort is clear for everyone to see.

“What had sadly become a dead spot right in the heart of the Fremantle has come alive again, and the seeds of renewal are spreading across the city.”

Earlier this year the City of Fremantle’s Walyalup Civic Centre won the top prize at the Australian Institute of Architects WA Awards - the George Temple Poole Award.

The building also won the Julius Elischer Award for Interior Architecture, the Jeffrey Howlett Award for Public Architecture, the John Septimus Roe Award for Urban Design and a commendation in the Sustainable Architecture category.

Hocking Heritage and Architecture were also recognised with the Heritage Architecture award for their work on the Fremantle Town Hall.

For more information please visit walyalupkoort.com.

Above photo: Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, City of Fremantle Elected Members Cr Bryn Jones and Cr Geoff Graham and CEO Glen Dougall with Sirona Urban Managing Director Matthew McNeilly and staff at the Property Council of WA awards.