Construction will soon begin on the $250 million Kings Square redevelopment in central Fremantle with a new commercial building designed by Hassell, expected to house more than 1,500 Western Australia state government workers.
The Housing Authority, Department of Corrective Services and Department of Transport workers will become anchor tenants in the new commercial development exceeding 20,000sqm in area, with the government signing a 15-year lease for 17,200sqm with Sirona Capital.
The revamped city square will be complete with grassed areas, public art and new street furniture. The project will also include community, cultural and retail spaces.
Fremantle Mayor Dr Brad Pettitt said the project was the single largest to be delivered by the council, and would usher in a new phase of growth. The state government has honoured its commitment to relocate a large workforce to Fremantle, providing a much needed boost to the local economy and more importantly, triggering construction on one of the most important developments in the city’s long history.
Pettitt added that the project will generate more than 2,100 ongoing local jobs, providing a massive boost to the vibrancy of the city centre and injecting an extra $358 million into the local economy.
The project will deliver a major children’s playground, high-quality retail, commercial and hospitality spaces, a new library and visitor centre, a new administration building with purpose built indoor and outdoor community spaces and meeting rooms, and end-of-trip bike facilities.
The relocation of the workers is part of a state government election commitment to decentralise its workforce and support urban office precincts.
According to WA Premier Colin Barnett, the construction of the building is expected to employ 410 workers, with the City of Fremantle to see economic benefits from the start of construction next July, as well as experience an ongoing stimulus once the public servants relocate to their new workplace.
He added that the building’s proximity to the Fremantle train station and bus stops, coupled with the modern end-of-trip facilities planned for the building, will provide numerous transport options for staff.
Construction is set to begin in mid-2017 with project completion estimated by the end of 2019.
