Local Government
Perth
Region
Metropolitan
3 Forrest Pl Perth
Perth GPO
Perth
Metropolitan
Constructed from 1914 to 1923
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Heritage List | Adopted | 20 Dec 1985 | ||
Commonwealth List | Adopted | 22 Jun 2004 | Heritage Council | |
Heritage Agreement | YES | 18 Dec 1992 |
Text of the Heritage Agreement |
Heritage Council |
State Register | Registered | 16 Oct 1992 |
Register Entry |
Heritage Council |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
---|---|---|---|
(no listings) |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category | Description | ||||
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 13 Mar 2001 | Category 1 |
Category 1 |
|
Perth Draft Inventory 99-01 | YES | 31 Dec 1999 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Classified by the National Trust | Classified | 21 Aug 1978 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Survey of 20th Ctry Architecture | Completed | 01 Mar 1988 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Register of the National Estate | Permanent | 26 Sep 1982 |
|
Heritage Council | |
Restrictive Covenant | YES |
|
Heritage Council |
The most vital element in the Forrest Place Precinct and perhaps the best example of monumental civic architecture in Perth.
Perth GPO is of representative significance due to its Forrest Place location, which is a major civic space.
Aesthetically the GPO combines well with the Commonwealth Bank and the Railway Station which is important in establishing the identity of the City of Perth.
The place is significant as a rare example in Australia of large building in the Beaux-Arts style. This style is demonstrated well in both the exterior and interior of the building. The two-storey high postal hall with its large roof lights emphasise the sense of space in this public area.
The historical significance of Perth GPO is its association with architect J S Murdoch who, as a Commonwealth Architect was responsible for many important Commonwealth buildings throughout Australia. The Perth GPO with the Commonwealth Bank and Forrest Place constitute an historically important civic construction undertaken by the Commonwealth Government. The design reflecting a new sense of importance and civic pride in Perth at the time. The use of the GPO to accommodate other Commonwealth departments for part of its history is partly important because it lead to the addition of the attic storey to the original design.
Documentation of places for entry in the State register of Heritage Places (Refer to COP Heritage Places File no 1.33/3).
Building constructed by the Commonwealth Government. Design features classical details and monumental scale. The GPO is 7 storeys to Forrest Place plus a basement. It has a concrete encased steel frame faced with brick and stone. The colonnading of the east elevation is faced with Granite Mahogany Creek with Donnybrook Sandstone above that. Paired ionic columns rise through three upper storeys. Red brick walls trimmed with stone are set back above the cornice, between stone towers and from the side and back walls. The interior have large spans creating open spaces on each floor.
The central two-storey postal hall has large roof lights which emphasise the sense of space.
1914 Contract to build 5 storeys of the GPO let on 7 th July.
1916-1920 Steel embargo prevents construction.
1921 A new contract signed on 4th July to complete GPO, including another 2 floors previously omitted from contract.
1923 GPO completed.
1924- To present Service as the Head Post of Office of WA.
Documentation of places for entry in the State register of Heritage Places (Refer to COP Heritage Places File no 1.33/3).
Low level of integrity.
Medium level of authenticity as it has been restored with some alterations from original detail.
Good
Name | Type | Year From | Year To |
---|---|---|---|
Hilton Beasley | Architect | - | - |
John Smith Murdoch | Architect | - | - |
Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
---|---|---|---|
11358 | Cast iron pillar boxes of Western Australia: An early history of the J & E Ledger foundry | Book | 2015 |
9506 | Photographic archival record for Perth GPO shopfront works. | Archival Record | 0 |
292 | GPO Trade Centre | Report | 1990 |
1372 | Perth General Post Office: Conservation Analysis and Conservation Management Pla | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 1991 |
8540 | GPO Perth : interpretation plan. | Heritage Study {Other} | 2007 |
290 | Australian Postal Corporation GPO Perth refurbishment. | Report | 1991 |
6959 | Perth and all this! : a story about a city. | Book | 1962 |
8469 | General Post Office, Perth. Conservation management plan. | Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} | 2006 |
Individual Building or Group
Epoch | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Present Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Post or Telegraph Office |
Original Use | Transport\Communications | Comms: Post or Telegraph Office |
Style |
---|
Inter-War Beaux-Arts |
Type | General | Specific |
---|---|---|
Wall | BRICK | Face Brick |
Other | CONCRETE | Reinforced Concrete |
Wall | STONE | Donnybrook Sandstone |
Wall | STONE | Granite |
Wall | ASBESTOS | Fibrous Cement, corrugated |
Roof | GLASS | Glass |
General | Specific |
---|---|
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS | Mail services |
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.