Fremantle Council has recommended a development application for the Elders Wool Stores be approved by the state's peak body.
At its meeting on Wednesday night, Council voted in support of the redevelopment plans, which will ultimately be decided by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel (DAP).
The iconic Elders Wool Stores building, located in Fremantle's east end, was built in 1927, extended in the 1950s, but has largely been vacant since the 1970s.
The $110 million project by developer Human Urban is the largest proposed heritage redevelopment in Western Australia.
It will have more than 200 dwellings, with many to rent as part of a new-to-Fremantle co-living housing model.
As well as a mix of residential types, there will be hospitality and retail spaces along Cantonment Street.
Officers had recommended that Council refuse the application due to the proposed demolition of some internal structures of cultural heritage significance, but also offered an alternative recommendation should the DAP be of a mind to approve.
The latter recommendation was unanimously supported by Councillors through an alternative motion put forward by Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge at the meeting.
Mayor Fitzhardinge said redevelopment of this key site in the city had been a long time coming.
"Approval of this development will hopefully be a catalyst for increasing density and diversity in our city.
"It's a sign to everyone else in our community that you can do great developments in Fremantle. This development presents housing diversity and a co-living product that is very common in other cities not so common in Perth," she said.
Mayor Fitzhardinge also praised the way the community had come together to consider the proposal.
"There's a collaborative approach that we've seen to date and that we expect to see going forward. It's an incredible way of doing business, a very Freo way of doing business. I absolutely applaud everyone for that effort."
Council also added a condition of approval to reduce the likelihood of conflict between pedestrians and skateboarders near the world-renowned skate ledge, which the developer has agreed to retain.
This addition was met with appreciation from the large contingent of representatives from the skating community who attended the Council meeting.
Pending final approval by the DAP and a pre-sale campaign, Human Urban anticipates construction to commence in early 2026 with completion by mid-2028.
Above image: An artist impression of the redeveloped Elders Wool Stores in Fremantle's east end.
