[1] The building dates from the gold rush boom period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and is of historic significance.

The building is of Federation Free Classical style,[2] containing French Renaissance elements with a skyline of a 70 feet (21 m) tower,[3] gables.

The warehouse had three floors and was 215 feet (66 m) long and 57 ft (17 m) wide with large sliding doors that opened directly onto the railway line side.

[1] When Fremantle Harbour opened in 1897 all the merchants and the shipping industry were looking for office and warehouse space near the new port area.

[7] It was built at a cost of £30,000, which was the largest contract price paid for a private building in the state at the time.

[1][5] The building was formally opened on 29 August 1902 in front of a large crowd of dignitaries including Hector Rason, Henry Briggs, James George Lee Steere and Edward Wittenoom.

[11] The Naval Staff Office of the Royal Australian Navy occupied the building during World War II.

Elders owned the building until 1982 when it was sold to Ale Nominee, who have leased it for a variety of commercial endeavours.