Central Government Offices

Child Places

• 04275 Treasury Building (fmr)
• 03484 The Rural & Industries Bank of Western Australia (Site of)
• 03484 The Rural & Industries Bank of Western Australia (Site of)

Statement of Significance

Central Government Offices, are fine examples of the aesthetic character of nineteenth century colonial administrative offices.

Within the precinct, the Town Hall is associated with the State's history of convict transportation, and the Central Government Offices with the later period of self government.

Refer to documentation of Places for entry in the Heritage Council Register of Heritage Places. File No 1973- Central Government Offices Complex and No 3480- Central Government Offices and Town Hall Precinct.

The place has been assessed by the National Trust of Australia (WA) and has been entered in the Register held by that body as a classified building with the following statement of significance:
Complex of buildings erected in stages between 1874 and 1897. A third storey was added to the east wing in 1903 and west sections in 1905. Between the east and west wings fronting St George's Terrace is the section built as a General Post Office 1887-90. The North wing (former Titles Office) fronting Cathedral Avenue form the corner of Hay Street was built in 1896. Its Italianate style facade is outstanding among Victorian buildings of the city. For many years this complex was the hub of Government administration. The bulk of the construction, carried out by the Architectural Division of the Public Works Department, was supervised by row men: RR Jewell until his retirement in 185 and g t Poole from 1885-1896. Until the 1950's the government Offices precinct was completely occupied by buildings essentially of the Colonial era and its quality still depends as much on th e combined effect of the building complex and its immediate surroundings as upon the buildings individually. Despite the loss of two of the old buildings in recent years this quality remains and it is believed that appreciation now of the value of the historic precinct will prevent further losses (Bibliography: Historic Public Buildings of Australia, pp 242-247).

The place has also been assessed by the Australian Heritage Commission and has been entered in the Register of the National Estate with the following statement of significance:

Until the 1950's the Government Offices precinct was completely occupied by buildings essentially of the Colonial era and its quality still depends as much on the combined effect of the building complex and its immediate surrounds as upon the buildings individually. Despite the loss of two of the old buildings in recent years this quality remains and it is believed that appreciation now of the value of the historic precinct will prevent further losses.

Physical Description

A complex of government offices fronting Cathedral Ave and St. George's Tce constructed between 1874 & 1905. The first two floors of the west and east wings of the treasury building were designed by RR Jewell in the Victorian Georgian Style. The southern wing (GPO) the Lands and Surveys Building and the third floors of the east and west wings of the treasury were designed by Poole, Grainger and Beasley in the Victorian Second Empire Style. The Titles Office (north wing) designed by Poole in the Federation Free Classical style breaks continuity of the Victorian Second Empire style used throughout the rest of the complex.

History

Refer to documentation of Places for entry in the Heritage Council Register of Heritage Places. File No 1973- Central Government Offices Complex and No 3480- Central Government Offices and Town Hall Precinct.

The Central Government Offices are a complex of Victorian public buildings erected from 1874 to c 1905. The northern half of the west wing was commenced in 1874, and in 1882 the lower two storeys of the east wing were built. Two sections were designed by the contemporary government architect, R.R Jewell. The section linking these two wings was built from 1887 to 1890 to designs by G T Poole, and was at that time used for the General Post Office. The third storey was added in 1896, 1903 and 1905. The north-eastern section of the complex was built in 1896, also under Poole's supervision (Ref: Australian Heritage Council
'The Heritage of Western Australia', MacMillan, 1989,p 34).

The present imposing complex is a unified group in the Victorian Second Empire style (except for the north-eastern section which is in a Federation Free Classical style) with mellow brickwork, elaborate stuccoed decoration and projecting pilasters. This group of early civic buildings occupies nearly an entire city block.

Integrity/Authenticity

intact

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.