Perth infrastructure investment is continuing at pace with the latest project, the $150-million revitalisation of a CBD ‘icon’, to begin in the new year.
The redevelopment of the Perth Concert Hall, bordered by St Georges Terrace to the north and Government House to the west, is slated to start in early 2025, once the venue closes at the end of thus year, the WA Government said.
The mid-century heritage building will be restored under designs by WITH Architecture Studio and the Office for Metropolitan Architecture to preserve acoustics and “enhance connections to the surrounding forecourts”.
Structural upgrades will be made at the same time as well as improvements to accessibility and new spaces for events. Food and drink outlets, and upgraded seating and rehearsal spaces are also part of the plans.
As well, the level two foyer—which will be home to new bar areas—will be extended towards the river.
Funding for the refurbishment was provided by the WA Government, which contributed $134.3 million, while the Federal government added $12 million coming from the Federal Government and the City of Perth $4 million to the project.
When complete, the concert hall will be home to the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and is expected to host more than 160 events a year.
Originally designed by architects Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey, the venue opened in January, 1973 and was the first concert hall to be built in Australia after World War II.
Greater Perth is being positioned for growth—currently home to 2 million people, that’s forecast to grow to 2.9 million by 2031 and 3.5 million by 2050, overtaking Brisbane as the third largest city in Australia. It is also plays host to 2.24 million visitors annually.
The concert hall renovation is not the only major project planned for Perth—plans for a billion-dollar waterfront precinct were unveiled recently, alongside Perth Airport and Qantas’s $5-billion redevelopment proposals.
