Cotel Scarborough

Client | BC Fremantle

TYPE | ARchitecture, Interior Design

SECTOR | Hotels

STATUS | Design Development

Location | Fremantle, WA

HEIGHT | 10 Storeys

Scale | GFA 4,340 sqm, SITE:; 835. 115 Keys

COST | confidential

Renders | atchian

Reviving a Fremantle icon at city’s edge

Sitting opposite the Fremantle Passenger Terminal, the Australia Hotel is one of the first things people see as they arrive over the bridge. This icon has stood here since 1898, just before Australia’s federation. With the right approach, it offered an opportunity to re-establish a visible and active entry point to the city.

We were brought in to bring new life to the hotel while respecting its heritage. This meant upgrading the existing accommodation, making better use of the underutilised car park, and reconnecting the building to the public realm.

The original façade is being restored in full, with heritage details reinstated and street entries reopened. Inside, 41 existing rooms have been refurbished, supported by a new restaurant and lounge. A new rear tower introduces 115 additional rooms. It is positioned to minimise visual impact, preserve view lines and let the historic building remain the focus.

Together, old and new create a cohesive whole: a hotel shaped by care and clarity, offering a mix of accommodation, dining and public space. This is a place that supports local tourism while drawing fresh energy into the east end of Fremantle.