Fremantle's Piazza to Undergo Major Arts-Focused Redevelopment
Bronwyn Owen plans to transform Fremantle's Piazza into a vibrant arts district, inspired by London's Covent Garden.
Fremantle's Piazza is set for a significant transformation under the new ownership of Bronwyn Owen, a Perth-born, New York-based businesswoman. Acquired for $12.5 million in September last year, Owen aims to revitalize the long-neglected space into a dynamic arts district, drawing inspiration from London's Covent Garden.
Owen envisions the Piazza Arts District as a hub for community engagement and artistic expression. Plans include opening up the roof, introducing greenery, and installing cobblestone pathways to create a European-style courtyard. The redevelopment will feature an interactive children's museum, a cooking school, an art gallery, and spaces for hospitality and retail pop-ups.
"I wanted to give the community a space and bring the artists to the forefront. This will be the Piazza Arts District, and we're going to have a very prominent message on one of the walls that says 'art lives here'," Owen stated.
The project has already attracted international and local artists. Portuguese artist Bordalo II and French artist AERO have installed large-scale murals, with local muralist Jerome Davenport completing a piece last month.
"My art comes from the graffiti of the 90s, and the street has always been my favourite playground," AERO commented.
The redevelopment also includes the establishment of IDEA Academy on the Piazza's top level, offering innovative education options. Owen anticipates the academy will bring about 150 students to the area, enhancing foot traffic and community engagement.
"Over time, they'll have about 150 kids here hopefully buzzing around. I really want to do a grassroots bakery and cooking school, and we can have our own herbs and plantings similar to when you go to Rome or Venice," she said.
The City of Fremantle has expressed support for the initiative. Matt Hammond, Director of City Business, remarked:
"The investment into the Piazza has been welcomed by the city and is a credit to the owner of the property, who has prioritised and invested in local grassroots activation ideas and programming, resulting in new life being breathed back into the much-loved Freo landmark."
The redevelopment is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate Fremantle's city center, with completion targeted by the end of the year.
