In 1829, soon after Captain Stirling and the first settlers landed in the new colony, John Septimus Roe (Surveyor-General) laid out the first initial plans for Perth. He envisaged St George’s Terrace as being the main street of the colony, being idyllic located near the Swan River foreshore. The street would in time feature some of the city’s grandest commercial buildings. Many of the important settlers also laid claim to the street and built their residences along the terrace including John Septimus Roe.
Barracks Arch
Found at the top of St George’s Terrace is the Barrack Arch. The Arch, a four storey Tudor arched gateway, is all that remains of Pensioner’s Barrack that was built to house soldiers (and families) of the Enrolled Pensioner Forces. These soldiers known as the Pensioner Guards were sent to Western Australia to guard the convicts that were transported to the Colony from 1850-1865. For more info on the Barrack’s Arch…
Unidentified Photographer
The life size bronze figure of the “Unidentified Photographer” is located at the top of St George’s Terrace next to the Barracks Arch. The bronze was created by Anne Neil in collaboration with Greg James in 1996.
The modern dressed “unidentified Photographer” is holding a Box Brownie camera and photographic plates whilst his Gladstone bag at his feet contains various trade tools symbolic of all the professionals who once worked on the Terrace. The statue looking down the Terrace is a reflection of times gone by and an acknowledgment of the people who helped shape the city and State.
QV1 Building
The QVI Building is a 159m high, 38 storey office tower located on the corner of St George’s Terrace and Milligan Street in Perth, Western Australia. The building was completed in 1991 by the builders Kajima Corporation. The interstruct designer was Harry Seidler. For more about the QV1 building..
First Church of Christ Science
The First Church of Christ Science building is located at 264 St Georges Terrace (and corner of Elder Street). Construction of the church began in 1939 with the laying of the foundation stone on the 2nd of February. The architect was Mr Hargrave of Ochiltree & Hargrave and the builders were A.T. Brine Pty.Ltd.Prior to the Church purchasing the land in 1926, the site was the location of the Pensioner Soldiers Hospital which was connected to the Pensioners Barracks via a tunnel. For more information about the church you can visit their First Church of Christ Science website.
St George’s Square
St George’s Square is located at 225 St George’s Terrace, Perth. Construction of the 20 storey high-rise began in 1988 for the Wyllie Group and was completed in 1990. The architects were Oldham Boas Ednie-Brown who designed the building to blend in with the historical turn of the century St George’s House and Bishop’s See which are both located nearby. The building boasts fantastic views of the Swan River and overlooks the beautiful Bishop’s Garden. the colonnades are finished in natural white sandstone and polished black granite and the two lobbies are finished in a classical style. There is an extensive collection of original paintings by Australian artist displayed inside. These paintings come from the Wyllie Group’s private collection.
The Cloisters
The Tudor Gothic Cloisters building is located at 200 St George’s Terrace. The building was originally built as a shop in c1850 then later became the colonel’s home, boys school, high school, girls school, boarding school, university hostel, W.A.A.A.F barracks, Dutch Club and a cafe. For more on The Cloisters…
Old Perth Boy’s School
The Old Perth Boy’s School is located at 139 St George’s Terrace. The school was built in 1853 in Gothic Revival style and is believed to have been designed by William Sanford who was the State’s Colonial Secretary. The school was built from sandstone that was ferried up the Swan River from Rocky Bay. Inside the school (which is now a cafe) you can find the names of former students scrawled on a section of wall.
Kingsgate Apartments
The Kingsgate Apartments go virtually unnoticed at 171 St George’s Terrace. The nine floor, 31.4 m high, colourful apartment complex was built in 2000 and though it reflects modern architecture it fits in relatively unobtrusively with the historical buildings of its surrounds. For inner city living these apartments are perfectly located, right in the middle of the Central Business District with views of the Swan River.
St George’s Cathedral
St George’s Cathedral (Anglican) was designed in 1879 by architect Edmund Blacket and is an example of Victorian Gothic Revival. Edmund Blacket also designed the St Stephen’s (Sydney), St Andrew’s Cathedral (Sydney), St Mary’s Cathedral (Sydney) and St Philip’s Church (Sydney). For more on St George’s Cathedral..