Railways Institute Building (fmr) (Chief Mechanical Eng WAGR Bldg (fmr))
605 Wellington Street was erected in 1897 for the Metropolitan Water Works Board. As the name suggests, this department’s role was to supply water to Perth by laying down pipes and pumps. Founded in 1896, it was originally based in an office at 229 St Georges Terrace.
New premises were erected for the Board, to a design by architects Wilkinson & Smith. Clarence Wilkinson had worked for the Public Works Department (PWD) until 1892, designing a number of railway buildings. After resigning, he worked as a sole practitioner for a few years before entering into partnership with E. H. Dean Smith from 1895.
The two-storey building they designed was of brick with a granite base, in the fashionable style known as Romanesque, which can be seen by the prominent arches on the first floor. The public entrance on Wellington Street led into a large foyer and from there to the main office. The first floor had the boardroom and staff offices.
As the role of the Metropolitan Water Works Board expanded, its name changed to Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department (MWSS&DD), and the building was enlarged in 1910 to meet the need for more staff. However, the department left the building in 1913, and it was then occupied by the Department of State Land Taxation (1914-22), followed by the Railways Department (1923-76).
605 Wellington Street was erected in 1897 for the Metropolitan Water Works Board. As the name suggests, this department’s role was to supply water to Perth by laying down pipes and pumps. Founded in 1896, it was originally based in an office at 229 St Georges Terrace. The Board consisted of the Mayor of Perth and three persons appointed by the Governor: Edward Keane, Thomas Wall Hardwick and architect John Joseph Talbot Hobbs.
New premises were erected for the Board, to a design by architects Wilkinson & Smith. Clarence Wilkinson had worked for the Public Works Department (PWD) until 1892, designing a number of railway buildings. After resigning, he worked as a sole practitioner for a few years before entering into partnership with E. H. Dean Smith from 1895.
The two-storey building they designed was of brick with a granite base, in the fashionable style known as Romanesque, which can be seen by the prominent arches on the first floor. The public entrance on Wellington Street led into a large foyer and from there to the main office. The first floor had the boardroom and staff offices.
As the role of the Metropolitan Water Works Board expanded, its name changed to Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Department (MWSS&DD), and the building was enlarged in 1910 to meet the need for more staff. However, the department left the building in 1913, and it was then occupied by the Department of State Land Taxation (1914-22), followed by the Railways Department (1923-76). In December 1979, the Railways Institute moved into the building. The Credit Union occupied the ground floor and the Institute opened a licensed clubroom on the first floor.
In 1992, the State Government restored 605 Wellington Street and adapted it for use as offices by Homeswest.
West Australian 9 October 1896
Inquirer 5 November 1897