Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
Location
78 Murray St Perth
Location Details
Cnr Pier St
Other Name(s)
Telecom Museum (fmr)
Construction Date
Constructed from 1905 to 1909
Demolition Year
N/AStatutory Heritage Listings
| Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 20 Dec 1985 | ||
| State Register | Registered | 31 May 1996 |
Register Entry Assessment Documentation |
Heritage Council |
Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
Other Heritage Listings and Surveys
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Description | ||||
| Survey of 20th Ctry Architecture | Completed | 01 Mar 1988 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 01 Dec 1975 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 21 Mar 1978 |
|
Heritage Council | |
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 |
|
||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Mar 2001 |
|
||
Statement of Significance
The place has a pleasing architectural composition and complex fenestration and, together with the creative design of an interesting corner tower, makes an important contribution to the historical and aesthetic character of the western end of Murray Street.
The place is an example of a late 1890s government building constructed, and subsequently substantially modified, by the Public Works Department to house an expanding Government Department.
The place has a strong association with the architects George Temple Poole, Hillson Beasley and William Hardwick.
The place demonstrates aspects of the growth and development of the Government Public Service from 1894 to 1922, and of the State in general.
The place contributes to the fabric of Perth as an element surviving from a former phase of development.
Physical Description
Large four storey pointed brick building with horizontal bands of render. Levels differentiated by different window details. facade broken by cured bays with cupolas. Prominent classical cornice and large arch over main entry.
History
The building was constructed between 1892 and 1894 for the Government Printing Office which was responsible for printing Parliamentary papers, The Government Gazette, office stationary for government departments and publishing professional papers by the Government Geologist and other officers. Due to the development of Government services and population increase as a result of the Gold Boom more office space was required for staff. A new building was designed for the property to accommodate the staff required.
The building was designed by George Temple Poole who was the Colonial Architect at the time. The building was designed with an innovative ventilation system which allowed air into all the rooms and floors. In 1907 further extensions were required to accommodate more Government services. The design for the extensions was drawn by Hillson Beasley Chief Architect of the Public Works Department. The Government Printers moved location in the late 1960s and the building was sold to Telecom (Telstra). The building was used as a telecommunications museum in the 1980s. Part of the building is used by Curtin University as the Graduate School of Business.
Integrity/Authenticity
Medium level of integrity.
Medium level of authenticity as it is largely as originally constructed with detail intact.
Associations
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| W B Hardwich | Architect | - | - |
| R P & W H Vincent | Architect | - | - |
| George Temple Poole | Architect | - | - |
References
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Asssessment | |||
| 720.9941 | Vanishing Ink, (1975) pp 95 by Hare, T | 1975 | |
| 1.52/76 | Heritage Place File | City of Perth | |
| Q 709.941 | 1988 ESS Essays on Art and Architecture in W. A. (1988) pp 79-80 | 1988 | |
| Thesis 1990 U. W. A New Architecture of the Gold Boom in W. A. Government Buildings under the direction of G .T. Poole 1885-1897. PP 180-181 by Van Bremen, Ingrid H | |||
| Q 720.994 | AUS Historic Places of Australia, (1978) pp 176-181 | 1978 | |
| Register of Heritage Places - Assessment Documentation Government Printing Office | 1996 | ||
| Cox Howlett Bailey Murray Street (East) Conservation Plan | 1997 |
State Heritage Office library entries
| Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6280 | Valuing our heritage : a series of case studies depicting the value and importance of heritage conservation in Western Australia. | Report | 2003 |
| 4712 | Government Printing Office (former) : 78 Murray Street, Perth : photographic record. | Report | 2000 |
| 4401 | Former Government Printing Office Perth Western Australia Appendices | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2000 |
| 4400 | Former Government Printing Office Perth Western Australia Conservation Plan | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2000 |