WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S ICONIC HOME OF MUSIC, PERTH CONCERT HALL, GETS A NEW LEASE ON LIFE
After 51 years of continuous operation, the heritage listed building is now undergoing a full revitalisation for the benefit of artists, audiences, and the community. During the redevelopment, Perth Concert Hall will be closed to the public, with the new look venue anticipated to reopen in early 2028.
Resident company of the venue, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, will continue to perform in a variety of iconic venues across Perth, in outer metropolitan areas and regional WA. Information on WASO’s Season is available on the WASO website.
The Redevelopment Project
Since opening its doors on Australia Day (January 26) in 1973, Perth Concert Hall has been renowned for having one of the finest acoustics in the southern hemisphere, while serving as a prime example of brutalist mid-century classical architecture.
The Perth Concert Hall Redevelopment Project is led by the Western Australian Government’s Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries with works including:
- preservation of the concert hall’s world-renowned acoustic features
- essential structural maintenance of the award-winning building architecture
- updated seating, new rehearsal spaces, and improved backstage facilities
- refurbishment of the foyer areas, including upgraded signage and lighting
- new food and drink offerings
- improved venue accessibility, with remodelling of the auditorium entry, lifts and stairs, as well as additional toilets and box office relocation
- transformed outdoor spaces
- new spaces for small events, school educational visits and training.
As the home of music in WA, the redeveloped Perth Concert Hall will offer improved facilities for broader community engagement and precinct activation, as well as providing a true home for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
The $150.3 million investment consists of $134.3 million in State Government funds through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, $12 million from the Australian Government and $4 million from the City of Perth.
Design firms WITH Architecture Studio and Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) are the lead architects for the redevelopment works. The concert hall, forecourts and car park will be closed to the public during construction works, with the venue anticipated to reopen in early 2028.
For more details on the Perth Concert Hall Redevelopment please visit the DLGSC Project Page.
Perth Concert Hall's History
Designed by architects Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey, the Perth Concert Hall was the first concert hall to be built in Australia after World War II. Its construction and completion was carried out by Sabemo (WA) with its doors opening to the public on Australia Day (January 26) 1973.
Serving as a prime example of brutalist mid-century classical architecture, its exterior is characterised by an innovative use of white off-form concrete.
Centred by a winding staircase, its interior is laid with a bold red carpet. The auditorium seats 1,729 people and houses a 3,000 pipe organ.
Noted as being a structure that was completely innovative for its time, it was recognised at the 2016 Australian Institute of Architects National Awards, and received the ‘Enduring Architecture Award’. The jury of the awards described the building to be “… hung from itself, creating enormous free spans and all from one beautifully poured material.”
Renowned for having one of the finest acoustics in the southern hemisphere, Perth Concert Hall has had many star-studded performers set foot on its stage, from great classical ensembles The London, Chicago and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras to some of the world’s best contemporary artists including; Ray Charles, PJ Harvey, Nina Simone, Sting, KD Lang, Birds of Tokyo, Eskimo Joe, Tim Minchin and many more.
For over 50 years the venue has been home to resident company the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) as well as a host of diverse performances and events – including popular music, comedy, classical music and talks.
5 Things you Might Not Know About Perth Concert Hall
1. Perth Concert Hall’s precinct was originally planned as a hotel.
The Perth Concert Hall (PCH) is bordered by St Georges Terrace to the north, Government House to the west, and Terrace Road to the south. Its location places it centrally within the vibrant urban landscape of Perth and is situated in the heart of Perth's central business district, nestled along the scenic banks of the Swan River. In 1960, the location was originally intended to be used for the Chevron-Hilton Hotel. In fact, prior to the decision to build Perth Concert Hall, construction had already begun for the Hotel in the area that is now the forecourt on St Georges Terrace – however, the project was cancelled and the way was paved for the home of music in WA.
2. A secret bathroom was built for a very special guest.
Through the doors of the Perth Concert Hall Boardroom a tiny bathroom was built for use by Queen Elizabeth II as a rest stop on her 1977 Silver Jubilee Tour which included a parade down St Georges Terrace. The royal throne, which has a distinct pastel colour scheme, remained Perth Concert Hall’s best kept secret for decades.
3. Perth Concert Hall’s pipe organ is even bigger than it looks.
If you attended a concert in the Perth Concert Hall auditorium over the years, you’ve probably noticed the large pipe organ that is a major feature behind the stage. What you might not know is that although 66 pipes are visible to the audience, the organ actually has thousands that are hidden, totalling a whopping 3,000 pipes!
4. Perth Concert Hall in Perth is not the only Perth Concert Hall.
There’s another concert hall with the exact same name in Perth, Scotland, which has understandably caused some confusion for patrons and staff of both venues, especially with the increased use of the internet and social media! In 2006, the two Perth Concert Halls participated in a twinning ceremony and the signing of Mutual Understanding, with both halls often presenting similar touring artists on its mainstage.
5. Perth Concert Hall’s storage closet has a scandalous past.
In the early days, Perth Concert Hall had a cleaner named Rosie who became famous when workers at the nearby Family Law Court building complained about a woman sunbaking nude on the roof, distracting them from their duties. Upon investigation, it was discovered that Rosie had taken it upon herself to have a nice ‘lie down’ on the roof of the Hall after a few hours of cleaning. This infamous act is the reason that Rosie’s storage room for her cleaning supplies (which became a holding area for venue signage and bollards) has since been known as ‘Rosie’s Room’.
Concert-Going in the 70s
The year is 1973, and Perth dignitaries took centre stage at the Gala Opening of Perth Concert Hall on the morning of Australia Day. Governor General Sir Paul Hasluck was there. So, too, were Lord Mayor Sir Earnest Lee-Steere, Premier John Tonkin and Leader of the Opposition, Sir Charles Court. Adding to the scene was Gough Whitlam, making his first visit to the West as Australia’s newly elected Labor Prime Minister. Sections of the audience booed apparently when Gough and his wife Margaret walked out on to the concert platform. Fashions of the Seventies were everywhere to be seen. That night, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra combined with the South Australian Symphony Orchestra to perform the inaugural concert under the baton of Tibor Paul. The day ended with a Candlelight Ball on the Riverside Terrace. This momentous event is recalled in a fascinating selection of programs and photographs and even gilt-edged invitations – held by the Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA.
MOPA was founded by Ivan King, who has been responsible for more than 50 exhibitions highlighting the history of entertainment in Perth. In 2009 he was given the Premier’s Award for Active Citizenship and in 2016 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the performing arts.
For more information on the museum, view the online collection at Museum of Performing Arts.
