Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
625-639 Wellington St Perth
Part of the Central Perth Precinct P15846
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1975
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 30 Jul 2004 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Completed\Draft | 13 Mar 2001 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Completed\Draft | Category 2 | ||
| Local Heritage Survey | Adopted | 28 Mar 2023 | Category 2 | |
| Register of the National Estate | Indicative Place | |||
| Survey of 20th Ctry Architecture | Completed | 01 Mar 1988 | ||
| Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 | ||
The place has historical significance for reflecting the importance of telecommunications in the State.
Multi-Storey off-form reinforced concrete building painted with textured paint. Curved corners to strongly rectangular prism form. Anodised aluminium grille frieze detail.
In 1890 Western Australia achieved responsible government. This, combined with the discovery of gold in the early 1890s, provided the catalyst for development in Perth. Some smaller businesses began to establish themselves in existing cottages and a number of larger enterprises erected substantial new offices and warehouses. Earlier uses primarily served the local population, however this later development was more broadly based and was a direct response to the expansion of the city centre during the gold rush. The period from the late 1890s to early decades of the twentieth century was characterised by a vigorous public works and corresponding expansion of commerce and trade. During this period, the character of the Wellington Street was established. The telephone came to Western Australia in 1887, with the first manual exchange opening in a three-room cottage in Wellington Street with 12 subscribers. The first automatic dial telephone exchange was built at 410 Murray Street in 1912. When it opened it was the biggest exchange of its kind in Australia. It continued as Perth's automatic telephone exchange right up until 1987. Meanwhile the new Telephone Exchange Building was constructed to the north of the original facing Wellington Street in c. 1975. It is believed to have been built to withstand nuclear attack.
High level of integrity. High level of authenticity. Largely as originally constructed with detail intact.
Good
| Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Housing and Works | Architect | - | - |
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC News online - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-22/perth-first-automatic-telephone-exchange/5756990 | 22/09/2014 | ||
| Cons 4156/14 | Metropolitan Water Supply Survey Plans | State Records Office of Western Australia | |
| Visual Assessment | |||
| Post Office Directories | State Library of Western Australia | ||
| Aerial Photographs | Landgate |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Telephone Building |
| Present Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Telephone Building |
| Style |
|---|
| Late 20th-Century International |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | CONCRETE | Reinforced Concrete |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Telecommunications |
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.