FREO CBD SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Almost every day of the week I walk through the Piazza, Paddy Troy Lane and Fremantle Malls, and shake my head in disbelief that no one appears to be interested to make significant changes and improvements in those prime locations, and develop them.

The Piazza is the best of the three. It has colour and looks quirky, maybe even a bit kitschy, but I quite like it. But a residential component there would make a big difference.

The Fremantle Malls have been a desolate disappointment for far too many years. I cannot believe the many owners don’t want to develop it. Imagine 4-6 storey buildings there. A mix of residential, offices, hospitality and retail. It would be a game change for Fremantle to have hundreds of people living and working there.

Paddy Troy Lane has so much potential to become a cute laneway, with small bars and cafes, but it needs more care from the City of Fremantle. It needs new pavement, more trees, public seating and art. The large trees there are yelling out to have alfresco in their shade, but sadly the Sam Bloor Handshakes pavement art does not do it for me. The white letters just looks messy.

The Federal Hotel has put more tables, benches and umbrellas outside their walls, and that is a welcome small improvement, while the back of the Manning building looks inviting and cared for.

There are so many great opportunities in that area. If only I had the money to do it myself.

Roel Loopers

MINIMALIST FREMANTLE RETAIL

I spotted this new, extremely minimalist, retail fashion shop in the Fremantle Piazza on my way home last evening.

Knitwit The Label is situated close to the Cappuccino Strip and is a pop-up, so go check it out, ladies.

Roel Loopers

ARTY LOOK AT FREMANTLE PIAZZA

Two arty and eery images of the Fremantle Piazza, that runs between the Cappuccino Strip and Paddy Troy Lane. It is the most colourful area of Fremantle.

Roel Loopers

PADDY TROY AND PIAZZA FACELIFTS

Work by the City of Fremantle is starting on beautifying Paddy Troy Lane, that runs parallel to the Cappuccino Strip and William Street. There will be new street furniture, more trees, more art and a better road surface, so that will be a big improvement.

The Yolk Property Group is finalising its facelift plans for the Piazza, that is situated between the Cappuccino Strip and Paddy Troy Lane. Instead of a major development, the Freo-based group wants to scale back the lovely piazza to its former glory days. They should be releasing their plans soon.

The kiosk in front of Sushi with Goons is likely to disappear, so that the popular eatery can put out more alfresco tables.

Roel Loopers

NEW CAFES FOR FREO

KENZIE’S has opened the cafe kiosk in front of Sushi with Goons in the Fremantle Piazza, opposite Gino’s, so go see what they have on offer.

A new cafe will also be opening soon in High Street in the West End, where the Dispensary used to be. It’s either called West Cafe or West Coffee and I hear they are making the brew with Margaret River beans.

Roel Loopers

HERE COMES THE SUN, FREO!

An uplifting sun flowers mural by Holly Ogden for lockdown. It is next to the First Rule cafe in the Fremantle Piazza, opposite Grill’d.

Rule is the right way to pronounce my name, so imagine how many more customers the cafe would have if they had named the cafe First Roel. 🥰

Roel Loopers

MARKET STREET PIAZZA SUCCESS

 

The temporary trial closure of what is known as Little Market Street behind Gino’s has been such a success that the City of Fremantle wants to make the piazza a permanent feature.

It is going to the FPOL Committee this Wednesday at 6 pm.

Roel Loopers

FISHING BOAT HARBOUR PIAZZA

 

 

The new Piazza in the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour is looking good and not too far away from completion.

I hope that shade structures are part of the plans because there is a lot of concrete that will heat up during the summer months.

Roel Loopers

COUNTERPRODUCTIVE SIGNS TSUNAMI

 

Signage is important to make people aware of one’s business but I doubt the impact seven A-frame signs have next to each other in a row, as here at the Fremantle Piazza. Does anyone notice individual signs when there are so many? I doubt it! And it look pretty ugly and is visual pollution in my books.

Does the City of Fremantle has a policy on A-frame advertising?

Roel Loopers

TRY THE NEW FREO EXQUISE CAFE

If we in Fremantle are serious about supporting local businesses the Exquise Cafe in the Piazza really deserves and needs our support. The very new cute little cafe which makes beautiful pastries and cakes appears to be struggling, so go have coffee there with your friends sometimes.
The Piazza is the connection between the Cappuccino Strip and Kings Square and Exquise is opposite the lovely fairy shop there.

Roel Loopers