Swings & Roundabouts to launch in Fremantle warehouse

A prominent hospitality site at 1 James Street has been purchased for $4 million by Swings & Roundabouts, marking another private sector investment in Fremantle’s city centre. The other two portions of the 1 James St warehouse will be on the market for sale or lease in the near future.

The acquisition of the heritage listed building signals confidence in Fremantle’s hospitality and tourism market, with plans to establish a family restaurant and wine bar and bring the Swings & Roundabout's famous Southwest experience to Fremantle. The site occupies a highly visible gateway location and has long been recognised as a strategic opportunity for adaptive reuse and activation.

The proposed venue will retain the character of the existing building while introducing contemporary hospitality uses that support all day trade. The scale of the investment reflects growing demand for experiential destinations in Fremantle that appeal to residents, workers and visitors alike.

The precinct continues to attract interest from investors ($110 million Woolstores mixed-use development and $55 million co-living & short stay accommodation development) seeking well located sites with strong connections to the city centre, transport and surrounding residential areas. Hospitality and mixed-use developments play an important role in supporting Fremantle’s economy by creating jobs, increasing foot traffic and strengthening the local business ecosystem.

For investors, the purchase highlights Fremantle’s ability to attract established operators willing to commit capital to long term projects. As more underutilised sites transition into active commercial uses, Fremantle continues to build momentum as a place to live, work and invest.

photo credit: Shot by Thom