Perth Heritage Gallery

This gallery shows just a few of the magnificent and fascinating heritage buildings that still exist in Perth city centre.   Click on each thumbnail to reveal a larger version of the photograph.

Now the oldest building in central Perth, the Old Courthouse was designed by Henry Reveley, the colony
Now the oldest building in central Perth, the Old Courthouse was designed by Henry Reveley, the colony's first Civil Engineer, and completed in 1837.
The Barracks, of which this arch was a part, was originally built in 1866 to house the retired Enrolled Pensioner Force. The State Government intended to demolish the Barracks in the early 1960s, but public outcry paritally won the day and the arch was saved.
The Barracks, of which this arch was a part, was originally built in 1866 to house the retired Enrolled Pensioner Force. The State Government intended to demolish the Barracks in the early 1960s, but public outcry paritally won the day and the arch was saved.
Said to be the only convict-built capital city town hall in Australia, the Town Hall was built between 1867 and 1870. It was designed by Richard Roach Jewell and James Manning in the Victorian Free Gothic style to reflect its important role in the administration of the colony.
Said to be the only convict-built capital city town hall in Australia, the Town Hall was built between 1867 and 1870. It was designed by Richard Roach Jewell and James Manning in the Victorian Free Gothic style to reflect its important role in the administration of the colony.
The design of Council House resulted from a national architectural competition conducted by Perth City Council in 1960. Over 60 designs were submitted, with the winning design by Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey of Melbourne. As a result of this commission, the two architects moved to Perth and set up practice to design and construct the building. The resulting building is generally recognised throughout Australian as one of the finest examples of 1960s ‘minimalist modern’ office buildings in the country. The building was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on 25 March 1963.
The design of Council House resulted from a national architectural competition conducted by Perth City Council in 1960. Over 60 designs were submitted, with the winning design by Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey of Melbourne. As a result of this commission, the two architects moved to Perth and set up practice to design and construct the building. The resulting building is generally recognised throughout Australian as one of the finest examples of 1960s ‘minimalist modern’ office buildings in the country. The building was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on 25 March 1963.
Tower House, Northbridge is rare in Western Australia as a two storey, purpose built boarding house, in the Victorian Italianate style. The place was originally purpose built as a boarding house and operated as one until it was bought by the Hellenic community in the 1950s. Since then it was used as a Rectory and then a Greek School. It was later used as a restaurant and in 2001, the place was renovated and is now (2006) used as offices. It is a good intact example of a substantial purpose built, boarding house, which operated from 1898 to the 1930s, and demonstrates the type of commercial venture or small business operation which was considered acceptable to single or widowed women in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Tower House, Northbridge is rare in Western Australia as a two storey, purpose built boarding house, in the Victorian Italianate style. The place was originally purpose built as a boarding house and operated as one until it was bought by the Hellenic community in the 1950s. Since then it was used as a Rectory and then a Greek School. It was later used as a restaurant and in 2001, the place was renovated and is now (2006) used as offices. It is a good intact example of a substantial purpose built, boarding house, which operated from 1898 to the 1930s, and demonstrates the type of commercial venture or small business operation which was considered acceptable to single or widowed women in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The McNess Royal Arcade was built in 1897 for scrap metal dealer, iron monger and local philanthropist Charles McNess. It was designed by William Wolf, who also designed His Majesty
The McNess Royal Arcade was built in 1897 for scrap metal dealer, iron monger and local philanthropist Charles McNess. It was designed by William Wolf, who also designed His Majesty's Theatre. The arcade was originally designed with two storeys, but McNess insisted that a third storey be added to the design.
Central Government Offices - Described as some of Australia’s finest and most dramatic free classical style buildings, the Central Government Office group of buildings includes the original General Post Office (1889), the Lands Department (1893) and the Titles Office (1897). The overall designs for these buildings were created by architect Richard Roach Jewell and reflect the nineteenth century custom of keeping government departments centrally located.
Central Government Offices - Described as some of Australia’s finest and most dramatic free classical style buildings, the Central Government Office group of buildings includes the original General Post Office (1889), the Lands Department (1893) and the Titles Office (1897). The overall designs for these buildings were created by architect Richard Roach Jewell and reflect the nineteenth century custom of keeping government departments centrally located.
Influenced by the New York skyscrapers of the 1920s, the Gledden Building is the sole example in Perth of an art deco, high rise office building. Completed in 1937, it was the tallest buildings in Perth for many years and remains a unique landmark in the city. It is named after Rober Gledden, a nineteenth century government mining surveyor, who gave the land on which the building is built to the University of Western Australia.
Influenced by the New York skyscrapers of the 1920s, the Gledden Building is the sole example in Perth of an art deco, high rise office building. Completed in 1937, it was the tallest buildings in Perth for many years and remains a unique landmark in the city. It is named after Rober Gledden, a nineteenth century government mining surveyor, who gave the land on which the building is built to the University of Western Australia.
The Great Western Hotel (Brass Monkey) was built for Mrs. Davis in 1896, and the first publican at the place was Myer Rosenweig. It was one of the most lavish hotels constructed in Perth in the Gold Boom period. A photograph taken soon after its completion in 1896, shows the fine cast iron filigree work of the balconies at the first and second storeys, the verandahs on the south and east sides at ground level, and the quality brickwork of the exterior.
The Great Western Hotel (Brass Monkey) was built for Mrs. Davis in 1896, and the first publican at the place was Myer Rosenweig. It was one of the most lavish hotels constructed in Perth in the Gold Boom period. A photograph taken soon after its completion in 1896, shows the fine cast iron filigree work of the balconies at the first and second storeys, the verandahs on the south and east sides at ground level, and the quality brickwork of the exterior.
Savoy Hotel - There has been a hotel on the Savoy Hotel site since 1857. Originally called the ‘Shamrock Hotel’, a redevelopment took place in 1905, when the well known architect John Talbot Hobbs created plans for a new building, which was to be named The Savoy Hotel. Originally to have six floors, but later cut back to five, the architect promised a design that would
Savoy Hotel - There has been a hotel on the Savoy Hotel site since 1857. Originally called the ‘Shamrock Hotel’, a redevelopment took place in 1905, when the well known architect John Talbot Hobbs created plans for a new building, which was to be named The Savoy Hotel. Originally to have six floors, but later cut back to five, the architect promised a design that would 'add materially to the architecture of the city' and be the largest hotel in Western Australia.
His Majesty
His Majesty's Theatre was built for Perth businessman and later Lord Mayor, Thomas G Molloy. The theatre opened on Christmas Eve 1904. Costing £42,000 and taking around 2 years to complete, the building was the masterpiece of architect William Wolf and contractor Gustav Liebe.
The Melbourne Hotel was constructed in 1896 during a hive of building activity in brought about by the late 1800s gold rush which quadrupled the city’s population. What makes this building so special is the fact that it has hardly changed in appearance since it was built.
The Melbourne Hotel was constructed in 1896 during a hive of building activity in brought about by the late 1800s gold rush which quadrupled the city’s population. What makes this building so special is the fact that it has hardly changed in appearance since it was built.
Cathedral of St. Constantine and St. Helene was built in 1936-37 during a period of considerable building activity in the economic recovery that followed the Great Depression, became the Orthodox Cathedral in 1972. Designed by architectural firm, Oldham, Boas and Ednie-Brown, the Cathedral has been the major place of worship and fellowship for members of Perth’s Greek community since its construction and has undergone little change over the years.
Cathedral of St. Constantine and St. Helene was built in 1936-37 during a period of considerable building activity in the economic recovery that followed the Great Depression, became the Orthodox Cathedral in 1972. Designed by architectural firm, Oldham, Boas and Ednie-Brown, the Cathedral has been the major place of worship and fellowship for members of Perth’s Greek community since its construction and has undergone little change over the years.
General Post Office - Towering over Forrest Place, the GPO is a fine example of ‘monumental’ civic architecture. For some time the tallest building in Perth, the design was conceived in 1912 by Commonwealth architect, John Smith Murdoch. The initial contract for construction was signed in 1914 but delays caused by a steel embargo, a strike and, in 1921, the addition of two extra storeys, meant the building was not finally completed until 1923.
General Post Office - Towering over Forrest Place, the GPO is a fine example of ‘monumental’ civic architecture. For some time the tallest building in Perth, the design was conceived in 1912 by Commonwealth architect, John Smith Murdoch. The initial contract for construction was signed in 1914 but delays caused by a steel embargo, a strike and, in 1921, the addition of two extra storeys, meant the building was not finally completed until 1923.
The Queen’s Buildings, on the corner of William and Murray Streets, was first recorded in the 1899 Wise’s Post Office Directory. It was designed the architectural firm Wilkinson and Smith, who were responsible for the Queen’s Hall (1899; now demolished). One odd feature of the building’s circular tower is the clock that never was – the numerals of a clock face can be clearly seen, but no sign of there ever having been hands fixed to it!
The Queen’s Buildings, on the corner of William and Murray Streets, was first recorded in the 1899 Wise’s Post Office Directory. It was designed the architectural firm Wilkinson and Smith, who were responsible for the Queen’s Hall (1899; now demolished). One odd feature of the building’s circular tower is the clock that never was – the numerals of a clock face can be clearly seen, but no sign of there ever having been hands fixed to it!
Durham House which has been sensitively converted from a commercial property into apartments
Durham House which has been sensitively converted from a commercial property into apartments
St George’s Cathedral is a rare example of the work of prominent Sydney architect, Edmund Blackett in Western Australia and is one of a very few cathedrals built of handmade bricks. The first St George’s Church, located to the north-west of the present Cathedral, was opened in 1845. Nine years later, the Right Reverend Matthew Blagdon Hale was consecrated as the first Bishop of Western Australia and the Church of Saint George became Saint George
St George’s Cathedral is a rare example of the work of prominent Sydney architect, Edmund Blackett in Western Australia and is one of a very few cathedrals built of handmade bricks. The first St George’s Church, located to the north-west of the present Cathedral, was opened in 1845. Nine years later, the Right Reverend Matthew Blagdon Hale was consecrated as the first Bishop of Western Australia and the Church of Saint George became Saint George's Cathedral. To increase the building’s capacity, two transepts were added in 1864, but as the population of the colony increased a much larger cathedral was felt to be necessary. Under Blackett's supervision, work began on building the new Cathedral, next door to its predecessor, in 1879 with the foundation stone being laid on 2nd November 1880 by the Governor, Sir William Robinson. Built in English Victorian Gothic Revival style, using bricks made of clay from the area now called Queen’s Gardens and stone trimmings quarried on Rottnest Island, the Cathedral was consecrated and opened by Bishop Parry on November 15th, 1888.
The Old Observatory - With the rapid growth of Perth during the first gold boom, there developed an urgent need for an observatory to provide accurate time for the city and weather reports. As a result, the stately building we see today on Mount Eliza was constructed in 1896 to a design by Colonial Architect, George Temple-Poole. Three buildings were originally constructed: the Transit Circle Building, which housed a meridian telescope, which took accurate measurements of the position of the stars; the Dome, which was a steel dome, similar to one at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, and used for taking telescopic photographs of the night sky. The other building is the one we see today, which was both a working office for the first Government Astronomer, William Cooke, and a family residence of grand proportions. The Observatory was dismantled in the 1960
The Old Observatory - With the rapid growth of Perth during the first gold boom, there developed an urgent need for an observatory to provide accurate time for the city and weather reports. As a result, the stately building we see today on Mount Eliza was constructed in 1896 to a design by Colonial Architect, George Temple-Poole. Three buildings were originally constructed: the Transit Circle Building, which housed a meridian telescope, which took accurate measurements of the position of the stars; the Dome, which was a steel dome, similar to one at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, and used for taking telescopic photographs of the night sky. The other building is the one we see today, which was both a working office for the first Government Astronomer, William Cooke, and a family residence of grand proportions. The Observatory was dismantled in the 1960's and the telescope was moved to the new Observatory at Bickley. The building is now the headquarters of the Western Australian branch of the National Trust.

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