Apartment company Match took the top prize from the 2017 Western Australian Heritage Awards for its work in transforming Fremantle’s Dalgety Wool Stores into Heirloom, a collection of industrial warehouse apartments.
The $130 million heritage restoration project took home awards including the ‘Conservation or Adaptive Reuse of a State Registered Place’, and the Gerry Gauntlett Award, recognising an outstanding achievement of adaptive reuse in Western Australia.
The project, which was developed in collaboration with Capital Joint Venture Partner, Sirona Capital, was one of the largest heritage renewals in the State.
The site had sat largely unused for 20 years and the judges said the project is “a testament to the dedication and financial commitment of its owners.”
M/Group Managing Director Lloyd Clark, as part of Match's parent company, said the awards were a great honour and ‘icing on the cake’ for residents who are now experiencing how it feels to live in the depths of history.
“Drawing on our experience with heritage renewals, we knew from the outset that this project would present challenges, however we also saw it as an extremely important opportunity.
“It is our firm belief that people want more from their homes, and today new apartment owners are creating their own space amidst 100 year old Jarrah beams and original heritage features,” he said.
Heirloom by Match was designed by Dominic Snellgrove of Cameron Chisholm Nicol and constructed by national construction company, Built.
The development team worked also in collaboration with the City of Fremantle, State Government and heritage authorities.
Mayor Brad Pettitt said the Fremantle Council was a big supporter of adapting heritage buildings for modern uses.
“After being tired and run down for decades, the east end of Fremantle has become a very attractive place to live and work.
"The Heirloom development has been a major driver in this ongoing transformation,” he said.
Heirloom by Match has retained over 85% of heritage fabric across 183 apartments. It has exposed the buildings infamous saw tooth roof to allow natural light and airflow through a spacious central atrium.
Match had previously received the coveted Gerry Gauntlett Award in 2009 for its Home warehouse apartments located in Perth CBD.
The company was also responsible for the heritage-listed Maymont in Maylands, which they believe injected new life into the area, as well as a range of "cutting-edge design-inspired apartment properties throughout Perth".
Heirloom by Match has available ‘move in ready’ apartments from $450,000 and two-bedroom apartments from $650,000, with a limited number of harbour facing Lofts available from $950,000.