Where do you start when designing a hotel?

Owston Hotel is the adaptive reuse of a heritage building in the heart of Fremantle’s West End, reimagined as a contemporary locanda – an intimate, small-scale guesthouse above Vin Populi restaurant. Inspired by the European hospitality traditions brought to the area by Italian migrants in the 1950s, the project celebrates the building’s layered cultural and architectural history.

Vin Populi and Owston Hotel were both designed by award-winning local studio Rezen. Join Rezen’s Zenifa and Rhys Bowring, Tom Metcalf from developer Fini Group, and Owston manager Mia Simpson, to hear how this charming hotel was taken from idea to reality.

The event starts with a visit to the hotel (timed slots every 10 minutes from 5.30pm to 6.20pm). You’ll experience the space and see how the work of local designers, makers and artists has been incorporated into the design to embed it with a sense of place.

From there, head to the Corner Room in the P&O Hotel to hear the conversation, commencing at 6.40pm, including an intro to the Rezen-designed Reuben’s Supper Club upstairs.

Image: Jack Lovel

Thank you to FDW Partner

Rezen Studio
Rezen is an award-winning boutique architecture and interior design practice based in East Fremantle.

With a focus on creating calm, considered and enriching environments that positively contribute to wellbeing, Rezen believes that order and systems underpin beauty.

Rezen has received multiple design awards for projects in the hospitality and commercial sectors, including restaurants Gibneys in Cottesloe, and Vin Populi in Fremantle. It received The 2026 WA Architecture Awards Ross Chisholm and Gil Nicol Award for Commercial Architecture for Marri Pavilions.

Rezen has made a significant contribution to the renewal of Fremantle’s West End through the design of Owsten Hotel, Common Bakery, Vin Populi and Next Door. In George Street East Fremantle, Rezen designed the Alchemy Sauna in the Old George Hotel and La Lune restaurant, contributing to social and economic uplift in the precinct.

Owsten Hotel is shortlisted in the 2026 Idea awards, to be announced in November.

Tom Metcalf
Tom Metcalf is a Development Manager at Fini Group with experience delivering mixed-use, hospitality and heritage projects. Tom is drawn to adaptive reuse projects that create new life in old buildings, with his recent work in Fremantle including the Owston Hotel, SEC Substation and the redevelopment of the Robert Harper building at 49 Phillimore Street.

Mia Simpson
Mia Simpson is the Manager of Owston Hotel, bringing over nine years of experience across hotels and hospitality management. Born and raised in Perth, Mia has worked across the city’s hospitality industry and has been involved with Owston Hotel from its initial build through to opening and day-to-day operations. With a strong focus on exceptional guest experience, team leadership and operational excellence, Mia is passionate about creating a welcoming and memorable hotel experience.