List of heritage buildings in Perth, Western Australia

Perth, Western Australia was occupied by British settlers in 1829 and originally named the Swan River Colony. Many of the older buildings are still extant, and have been heritage-listed. The places are listed here in chronological order and include significant buildings in the Perth metropolitan area. Included are examples of governmental, religious, residential, commercial and institutional buildings. Places of identified heritage significance in metropolitan and regional Western Australia are listed in the official "InHerit" database which includes the State Register of Heritage Places, local government inventories and other lists, the Australian Government's heritage list, and other non-government lists and surveys.Search Heritage Places at W.A. State Heritage Office

Western Australia’s settlements struggled in the 1800s from lack of resources, labour and investment. The gold rushes of the 1890s brought a great influx of people from interstate and overseas, and considerable development arising from the new wealth. Many ornate and substantial buildings were constructed in the metropolitan area from the 1890s to the early-mid 1900s, including the Palace Hotel, Perth, the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, His Majesty's Theatre, Perth and the Old Perth Technical School.

In the late 1950s, a group of individuals who were concerned for the need to "preserve our heritage" came together to form the National Trust of Australia (WA) in 1959.Barracks to the Burrup, p 49 The National Trust’s mandate was to educate the public on the importance of valuing our landscapes.Barracks to the Burrup, p 80 At this time, there was no legislation or a statutory body in WA to formally recognise and protect heritage places. The National Trust was able to promote and bring attention to the significance of the state's heritage places including natural landscapes and buildings which were supported by heritage assessments of buildings with a classification system.Barracks to the Burrup, p 90 In 1965, an Act of Parliament established the National Trust as a statutory body in WA and properties were able to be vested under the responsibility of the organisation.Barracks to the Burrup, p 109

A mining boom in the 1960s-70s led to another wave of intensive development in Perth and as a result the city lost many of its early 1900s buildings, particularly along St Georges Terrace. From this time, a greater awareness in the community of the loss of heritage places developed as demonstrated by several high profile public campaigns for the Pensioner Barracks (now the Barracks Arch), the Palace Hotel on St Georges Terrace and the Swan Brewery.

The lack of statutory protection for heritage places was a serious issue in WA and it wasn’t until the adoption of the Heritage Act of WA 1990 and the formation of the Heritage Council that post-colonial heritage places were given recognition and statutory protection under the State Register of Heritage Places. This work is undertaken by the State Heritage Office which supports the Heritage Council and Minister for Heritage. Aboriginal heritage places are dealt with separately under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

Further, under the Heritage Act of WA 1990, each local government in Western Australia is required to compile a Municipal Heritage Inventory which identifies places of heritage significance within their municipality.

The National Trust of Australia (WA) since the early 1960s has maintained a List of Classified Places. Classification by the National Trust does not provide statutory protection; instead these assessments provide a record of heritage places (historic, natural and Aboriginal) and support the Trust’s education and advocacy programs. The National Trust's List of Classified Places can be searched via the "inHerit" website.

Thousands of places across Western Australia have been recognised for their heritage significance. The recognition, protection and conservation of these heritage places has developed from individuals and communities who value these places and understand the contribution they make to WA’s history, culture and environment.

List BuildingConstruction periodHCWAlinkNotesImage1830sThe Round HouseFremantle1830Built as a prison shortly after the establishment of the Swan River Colony in 1829.The Old MillSouth Perth1835also known as Shenton's Mill. The original (1833) building was destroyed in 1834 and rebuilt. The Old Court HouseSupreme Court Gardens, PerthBuilt between 1836 and 1837The city's oldest surviving public building. Designed by Henry Willey Reveley. , houses the Francis Burt Law Education Centre and Museum.Tranby HouseMaylandsBuilt in 1839Built by a group of devout Methodists known as the Tranby People who arrived in the Swan River Colony in 1830.1840sAll Saints ChurchUpper SwanBuilt between 1838 and 1840The oldest still-standing church in Western Australia.St John's Pro-Cathedral18 Victoria Avenue, PerthBetween 1843 and 1844The earliest Roman Catholic church building constructed in Western Australia.Shenton House Crawley1846Substantial house built in 1846. Now part of the University of Western Australia campus and home to the School of Indigenous Studies. 1850sOld Perth Boys School139 St Georges Terrace, Perth1854Taken over by the Technical College in 1898 - owned by the National Trust of Australia (WA).Royal Perth Hospital1855Perth GaolNorthbridge, behind Western Australian MuseumBuilt in 1856The Cloisters200 St Georges Terrace, PerthBuilt in 1858Designed by Richard Roach Jewell for Bishop Mathew Blagden Hale. Served as W.A.'s first boys' secondary schoolFremantle PrisonFremantleBetween 1852 and 1859The DeaneryCorner of St Georges Terrace and Pier Street, PerthBuilt in 1859Built as a residence for the first Dean of Perth.Bishop's HouseCorner Spring Street and Mounts Bay Road, Perth.Built in 1859Residence of Bishop Mathew Blagden HaleBenedictine Stables18 Barrett St WembleyBuilt from 1859Thought to be a remnant of a Benedictine Monastery built in 1859.1860sArchbishop's Palace41 Victoria Square, PerthFirst stage completed 1860Built by Bishop Joseph Serra who became Catholic Bishop of PerthBarracks Arch266 St Georges Terrace, PerthBuilt in 1863The former Barracks were built to house the retired Pensioner Forces. The two wings on each side of the entrance were demolished in the 1960s to make way for the Mitchell Freeway. The Government of the day—led by David Brand—intended to demolish the entire structure, but public outrage forced a compromise and the arch was saved.Government HouseSt Georges Terrace, PerthBetween 1859 and 1864Official residence of the Governor of Western AustraliaFremantle Arts CentreFinnerty Street, FremantleBetween 1861 and 1864Originally built as the Fremantle Lunatic AsylumTrinity Church72 St Georges Terrace, PerthPartly obscured Trinity Congregational Chapel was built in 1865. The Church (foreground) was built in 1897.Chapel designed by Richard Roach Jewell. Hosted the first meeting of the Karrakatta Club in 1894. St Mary's Cathedral41 Victoria Square, PerthWestern end was begun in 18651870sPerth Town HallCorner Barrack and Hay Streets, PerthBetween 1868 and 1870Built using convict labourWesley Church75 William Street, corner Hay Street 1870St Mary's ChurchMiddle Swan1870Located near the site of an earlier octagonal church which had been built in 1839Central Government OfficesBarrack Street, Perth1874The former Treasury buildings and Titles Office buildings bounded by Barrack St, St Georges Tce and Cathedral Avenue were originally Perth's GPO, which was moved by the Commonwealth to the Forrest Place building in 1923.1880sRoyal Hotel, Perth300 Murray Street1882Part of Raine SquareFremantle Grammar School200 High Street, Fremantle1885Established by Henry Briggs as an Anglican public schoolFremantle Town Hall8 William Street, Fremantle1887 Court HotelBeaufort Street, Northbridge1888St George's Cathedral2 Cathedral Avenue, PerthCompleted in 1888Currently undergoing a major renovation1890sSt George's House235-239 St Georges Terrace, Perth1892 designed by Talbot HobbsThe Weld Club4 Barrack Street, Perth1892 designed by Talbot HobbsPerth Railway StationWellington Street, Perth1893 to 1894designed by George Temple-PooleTheatre Royal & Metropole Hotel637-645 Hay St1894-97The Palace HotelWilliam Street and St Georges Terrace, Perth1896Currently offices for Bank of Western AustraliaThe Esplanade HotelMarine Terrace, Fremantle1896Beaufort Street Terraces235-241 Beaufort Street, Highgate1897Currently used as doctors' and dentists' surgeries, and private residencesFremantle MarketsMarket Street, FremantleCommenced in 1897Design - H.J. Eales and Charles Oldham.Tom Burke House191-195 Newcastle Street, Northbridgec.1898designed & initially occupied by Louis Bowser CumpstonPerth Mint310 Hay Street, PerthFoundation stone was laid in 1896 and competed in 1899Australia's oldest operating mintOld Perth Observatory4 Havelock St, West PerthConstruction completed 1896 and officially opened in 1900National Trust, WA branch Headquarters. Design - George Temple-Poole Jubilee BuildingNorth Perthcompleted in 1899Part of the Western Australian MuseumThe CliffePeppermint Groveconstructed in 1894designed by Talbot Hobbs1900sThe Old Perth Fire StationPerth1900 First purpose-built fire station in WA, operated until 1979. Now the FESA Fire Safety Education Centre & Museum His Majesty's TheatrePerth1904 Constructed at the time of the Western Australian gold rush, it was the largest theatre in Australia, and had seating for over 2,500 people. It is believed to be the only remaining working Edwardian theatre in Australia.The North Mole LighthouseFremantle1906 This cast iron light tower, together with its southern twin, are the only remaining navigation lights of this design in this State. 1910sThe Old Perth Technical SchoolPerth1910 First tertiary-education institution in WA. Designed by Hillson Beasley and built on the site of Reveley's Tuscan mill.Wireless Hill Museum1912Originally built as the Applecross Wireless Station The Albany Bell Castle1914 Bakehouse Factory, expression with considerable elaboration of details, towers, battlements, generous natural lighting and garden setting, is uncommon in the Western Australian communityAnzac Cottage19151920sGeneral Post Office, Perth1923Young Australia League building1924Pagoda111 Melville Pde Como1926Octagonal tearooms constructed with a three-tiered oriental styled roof.1930sSalvation Army Congress Hall (fmr)69 Murray Street, Perth192930Atlas Building810 The Esplanade, Perth1931 Houses the Museum of PerthSt Joseph's ChurchSubiaco1933–1934Interwar Gothic church designed by Edgar Le Blond Henderson.First Church of Christ, Scientist, Perth1939Art Deco church designed by Ochiltree & Hargrave

See also List of heritage places in Fremantle History of Perth, Western Australia :Category:Heritage places of Western Australia

References

Further reading Austen, Tom The Streets of Old Perth St George Books. 1988. Le Page, J. S. H. Building a state : the story of the Public Works Department of Western Australia 1829-1985 Leederville, W.A : Water Authority of Western Australia, 1986. Stannage, C. T The people of Perth : a social history of Western Australia's capital city Perth : Carroll's for Perth City Council, 1979. Witcomb A and Gregory K From the Barracks to the Burrup: the National Trust in Western Australia University of New South Wales Press Ltd, Sydney. 2010.

External links Perth.gov: Self-guided walking tour of listed buildings in Perth Western Australia Heritage Council website