The P&O Hotel, a mainstay of local hospitality for 121 years, was purchased by local hospitality operators, Adrian Fini and Nic Trimboli.
The pair already own the nearby Vin Populi restaurant and are well known in the industry for founding WA beer brand, Little Creatures. They’ve also previously owned Perth’s historic Coogee Hotel.
The two-storey venue occupies a 1,280 square metre plot on the corner of High and Mouat Streets, and contains 32 rooms, a rear courtyard, a cellar and multiple small bar areas.
The P&O was first founded as the Victoria Hotel in the 1830s, before being rebuilt in 1901, when it acquired its current name. The most recent operators of the pub were Notre Dame University, but the venue is currently unoccupied.
The new owners were reported as being motivated to purchase the property by ‘their love of the building and its heritage coupled with their faith in the future of Fremantle’s historic West End.’
CBRE’s Ryan McGinnity and Chloe Mason oversaw the sale on behalf of private owners, with the real estate company stating the campaign drew ‘over 130 enquiries from buyer groups’.
“The sale of the P&O Hotel continues the ongoing investor infatuation with Fremantle, and in particular the West End,” McGinnity said.
Mason also attested to the on-going hospitality interest in the area.
“In the last three months, Fremantle has seen many hospitality openings including the new social darts phenomenon Flight Club and The Flaming Galah, Fremantle’s first dedicated LGBTQIA+ venue,” she said.
“These venues, which offer a diverse mix of hospitality and entertainment, are crucial in driving visitation to the area and guaranteeing Fremantle’s future as a key West Australian tourist destination.”
