WA’s ‘grand old dame’ wins national property award

 

The $80 million restoration of Western Australia’s State Buildings Perth has achieved national acclaim after taking home a coveted prize at the 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.

Beating seven other national finalists, the State Buildings, also known as the Old Treasury Buildings, won the S4B Studio Award for Best Heritage Development.

With a history spanning more than 140 years, the three interconnected buildings had been vacant for almost 20 years before they were purchased by FJM Property.

With the help of construction company Built, the site was transformed into a vibrant hospitality and retail precinct, and the home of luxury 48-suite hotel COMO: The Treasury.

“This project has restored an important part of Western Australia’s history, returning it to the people of Perth and creating a world-class destination,” says the Property Council’s Chief Executive Ken Morrison.

“The development has delivered an influx of tourist dollars, and has become a new destination on the tourist and foodie trail,” Mr Morrison adds.

The buildings, which opened in 1874, are entwined with the history of Perth. Over the years, they served as the post office, treasury, public offices, and office of the Premier and Cabinet, as well as a police cell block.

The painstaking restoration including reinstatement of plaster ceilings, external balconies and the slate and copper roof. Decorative lacework was meticulously recreated from historical photographs.

“The largest and most ambitious adaptive re-use project of its kind in the state, upgrading the State Buildings provided a welcome injection of employment into the WA economy,” says Managing Director of RLB WA, Mark Bendotti.

“More than 800,000 hours of labour were required during the construction phase.

“This thoughtful and thorough restoration will ensure this grand old dame remains at Perth’s heart for many more generations,” Bendotti adds.

RLB has partnered with the Property Council of Australia to present the Innovation & Excellence Awards program since its inception in 1982.

The 2017 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Award winners were announced on Friday 5 May at a gala dinner at the International Convention Centre Sydney.

A full list of winners is available online or in the attachment: www.propertycouncilawards.com.au

Media contact:  Karen Jamal  |  M  0412 179 135  |   E  [email protected]