Central City
This is a suggested way to view the city.
Start at the former Perth Girls School on Wellington and Plain Streets. Parking is available in the car park in Plain St .Walk down Wellington to Lord St and you can see the Country Health Building at 189 Wellington St.
Go up to Victoria Square and on the left hand side of Lord St, walk past Royal Perth Hospital to Goderich St . On the corner of Goderich St and Hill St, look at Mercedes Music rooms .Then continue down to the Carlton Hotel on the cnr of Hay and Hill St . Walk along Hay until Victoria Square past the Cathedral and back towards the Hospital.
You will pass the UWA School of Medicine on Victoria Square and Royal Perth Block. Continue back down to Wellington St and at 298-300 you will see the Perth City YHA. Continue along to 379 and look at the Central Grand Backpackers and finally at the Taka Japanese Restaurant on the cnr of Barrack and Wellington.
Head up to Murray St and walk up a bit back towards Royal Perth and view the beautiful buildings on the stretch of street between Barrack and Irwin St. Walk up one side and back the other. Look up!
Pass the Young Australia league building at 45 Murray and the building at 50 Murray. Walk downtown towards Pier St, turn left and walk down to Hay and see the Criterion Hotel at 560 Hay.
When you cross Hay and Barrack it is worth walking back a bit to the right to see the Bon Marche Arcade at 80 Barrack St. Then return to Hay St and continue down the Mall.
On the cnr of Hay and Barrack there is an Art Deco facade verandah on the McNess Royal Arcade. The rest of the building is not Art Deco.
Continue down on your right and look at the Savoy Plaza Arcade at 650 Hay and the Piccadilly arcade which goes through from Hay to Murray St. Look at the features both ends . London Court is on your left opposite the Hay St entrance of the Piccadilly. Walk down London Court and you will come out at St Georges Terrace. Cross the road and go down Sherwood Court and look at Lawson Apartments at 4 Sherwood and walk along the Esplanade to view Phoenix House at 8-10 The Esplanade.
Walk back to Barrack St. and turn right and go down to the Supreme Court buildings to see JJ Talbot Hobbs statue, go back up Barrack St.and look at the Malaysian Airline Building at 56 William.
Continue up Barrack to the cnr of Hay and Barrack and view the Gledden building on the corner. Look at the lovely painted glass panels inside as you walk through the Arcade.
Next door to the right is Devon House at 729 Hay. Continue back up the Mall and look at Sheffield House on your right at 723 and at Trinity House at 671-681 Hay, then Katie’s House on the right at 667 Hay . Turn around and walk back on the other side of Hay to William St. and look at the former Economic Stores on the cnr of William and Hay. (opposite to Gledden Building).
Cross William St. and continue up Hay St, on the right you will see Harpers buildings at 810-824, Dynons China Buildings at 905 Hay St, then look at the former Bank of NSW , the Prada building on the cnr of Hay and King opposite his Majesty’s Theatre. On the cnr of Milligan and Hay is Howlings Bar Restaurant and walk down Milligan towards Murray St. Look at the buildings on the corners and the details on the WD and HO Wills Apartment Building and the West End Apartments. Look at Hotel Milligan and the Red Sky building further down Murray St on the left hand side. Now walk back to St George’s Terrace and walk up towards the Barracks, on your right is the First Church of Christ Scientist Building and then cross St George’s Tce to see McNess Fountain at the back of the park, and finally Newspaper house and go inside and look at the great Art Deco features and relax!
Former Bank of New South Wales
Former Bank of New South Wales (mid 1930’s/2003) Hay St. (South), Perth. This elegant building is in the stripped classical style, still popular in the 1930’s. Note the Art Deco details in the entrance frame and the simplified Corinthian columns.
read moreFormer Motor House
Former Motor House,(1937/1990) Milligan Street looking north, Perth. Mid 1930’s designed by Powell, Cameron and Chisolm (in association with William G. Bennett) This bold structure on a triangular block represents the nautical streamlined Art Deco style, echoing the form of ocean liners. It was originally a garage and motor showroom. Note the curves and the smooth undecorated surface. Recessed horizontal bands originally linked the windows to create a horizontal ribbon effect. It is one of only a few Moderne buildings left...
read moreWest End Apartments
SE Corner: West End Apartments (1933/1995) Only the façade remains of commercial premises utilised by the Pearl and Dean film company, who made local advertisements to show in local cinemas. The ornamental entry is flanked by Art Deco columns and a typical “eyebrow” stepped parapet above.
read moreW.D and H.O Wills Warehouse Apartment Building
NW Corner: W.D and H.O Wills Warehouse Apartment Building (1927/2008) This imposing Inter-War Chicago style warehouse was built for the tobacco company W.D. and H.O. Wills in 1927. It was designed by Oldham, Boas and Ednie-Brown .The style anticipates the Art Deco period. Note the curved parapet with original details, the fine balance between vertical and horizontal elements and the refined arrangement of window shapes.
read moreMilligan and Murray Street Intersection
Milligan and Murray Street Intersection Here can be seen distinctly different 1930’s styles, built to take advantage of the corner sites. Fast Eddy’s was founded in 1979 to cater for late night diners.
read moreHowling’s Bar
Howling’s Bar Building formerly Nine Mary’s Restaurant (1936/2002) Cnr. Hay and Milligan Streets, Perth. The façade of the old Hugh Howling Pharmacy is now incorporated into a new structure. Note the corner entry, typical raised parapet and sarcophagus shaped windows reflecting on Egyptian influence.
read moreRed Sky Building
Red Sky Building (mid 1930’s) 471 Murray Street (South), Perth. Once a motor showroom, built to meet the rising demand for motor vehicles. In true Art Deco style there is asymmetric massing, eyebrow sills above the windows, a parapet with a central filial, and horizontal banding.
read moreHotel Milligan
453 Murray St The centre of Hotel Milligan (1930) is Pearl Villa (1886)- being the first substantial home constructed on this particular city block. While awaiting full assessment of its condition – most of which is kept in original condition. Pearl Villa built for Joseph Clarkson – Pearler by his half brother Jesse Hammond within Pearl Villa is evidence of an earlier pioneer cottage more to come.
read moreFirst Church of Christ Scientist
First Church of Christ Scientist (1939) Elder St at the top of St. George’s Terrace , 264 St George’s Terrace ,Perth (opp.Old Barracks Arch). Architects: Ochiltree and Hargrave. An example of the solid “monumental” architecture where a traditional genre is interpreted with simple geometry and Art Deco detailing. It is still used for its original purpose and is in fine original condition. Note the simulated stone exterior, the asymmetric massing of horizontal and vertical elements, and the restrained ornament and detail. Also noteworthy are...
read moreMcNess Fountain
McNess Fountain (1931) Cnr. St George’s Terrace and Mount St, Perth. Set in a shady park, this early Deco Memorial fountain is made of Donnybrook stone. Note the classic Art Deco detailing and sculpted waterspout face.
read moreNewspaper House
Newspaper House (1933) 123-135 St George’s Terrace, Perth. Architects: Hobbs Smith and Forbes. Built of donnybrook stone, this impressive stripped classical building incorporates Deco elements. Note the central tower and decorated entrance. The interior décor and small shopping arcade were distinctly Deco in character. Now completely renovated and houses several restaurants and bars.
read more