Upon my arrival in the city centre three youngsters were offering "Free hugs" so I got a hug from one of them. It put a smile on my face.
I went towards St George's Terrace to visit the "State Treasury Buildings" who recently opened their doors after undergoing a 8 year restoration that cost $105 millions Aud.
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| The renovated State Buildings with the new office tower behind |
The former Central Government offices built in 1889, housed the General Post Office until 1923 and was housed the Treasury office, Cabinet rooms, Premier's offices, police courts and a cell block and occupy an area bordering 4 streets - Barrack st, St George's Terrace, Hay Street and Pier street.
The building had stood empty for 17 years now emerges as an elegant building housing Perth's first 6 star hotel, rooftop glass restaurant "The Wildflower" (a new construction), various restaurants and small retail venues - with a slate roof imported from Wales, dormer windows from England, lacework on the roof...
In the luxury "Como Treasury Hotel" operated by Singapore's Como Hotels and Resorts all of the 48 rooms are different. A daily rate from $595.00 a night is not for everyone...
The Postal Hall in the basement houses a chocolatier, florist, cup-cake shop and barber.
This whole are is part of a $580 million development of the adjacent Cathedral Square, which includes a new office block tower (seen in the photo above), a new public library and a public plaza for St George's Anglican Cathedral.
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One of the 15 entries to the State buildings
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| One of the eateries |
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| Here you can relax, read or eat |
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| St George's Anglican Cathedral next to the State Buildings with the Dragon statue
It's a beautiful building don't you agree?
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It sure goes on my Perth list, Sami! :-)
ReplyDeleteWow. This really is a wonderful piece of work, inside-out, plain brilliant, can´t wait to see it. With original pieces from England, amazing.
And typical for Perth - that I call preservation of heritage.
I have to admit I wasn´t even aware of the construction site!...
To tell you the truth, neither was I and I had been near the church (next door) recently... but it does look amazing inside and out!
DeleteAnd yay for the hug-guys, too :-)
ReplyDeleteYes it was cute, I saw them later in another spot. Some people would actually go to them for a hug, others would run a mile. Funny to watch!
DeleteDearest Sami,
ReplyDeleteSuch renovations, how costly they might be, always does make my heart sing. Australia, like the USA has so little history that they must preserve the little they got! This looks awesome.
Is that a Jacaranda blooming in the 2nd photo?
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
I agree Mariette, it's great that old buildings with rich history are preserved for the future.
DeleteYes that's a jacaranda tree, they are all blooming at the moment.
Oh, enjoy them also for me! LOVE jacaranda blossoms. We were in Spain and Portugal when they were blooming and in South Africa one year in November. We also have seen them during our 10 years of consulting in México. But our starters (from seed pods) never made it. It takes but one deep frost in winter and they're gone. Only if they are a bit more mature and hardened they can survive a frost. Here it is during the day maybe 20 C and suddenly can freeze for one or two nights to -8 C or whatever. That does the trick as they are not hardened by slow cool-down. Sad but we cannot have them here.
DeleteHugs to you and enjoy your surroundings!
Thanks for showing us around, great they renovated the building, but certainly it is worth to the (lot of) money.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful so I think the money was well spent. Thanks Marianne.
DeleteSami - you do a mighty fine job of showcasing Perth, I'm disappointed I have not got to visit Perth this year as I feel I would find many places I have seen through your blog, so hopefully next year. Hey I'll start saving for the $600 a night room :)
ReplyDeleteFree hug from me to you!
Wren x
Let me know if you come over so I can show you around. lol yes start saving for that $600 a night room!
DeleteYour State Building sees so much more soulful that that tall behemoth behind it.
ReplyDeleteI agree the old building looks great.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely work they did. I like the contract it gives against the tall modern building.
ReplyDeleteI really like the concept of the Open House event. It should be made in more cities.
I agree Open House should be done all over the world, it's a great idea!
DeleteI've never managed to do the Open House Lisbon... What a shame!
ReplyDeleteYes, free hugs are cool! :-)
Maybe next year Jose. It was nice getting a "free hug". Have a great weekend.
DeleteGosh it looks fantastic Sami, I so wish I'd been able to see a bit of the Open House.. Things have taken a turn for the worst with my nephew's young three year old. She had the body cast on for three months, the neck brace for one month and when she had exrays last week it turns out she will have to have an operation on her spine, then back in the body brace for four months . it's going to be a long haul for all, but mainly for little Sophie, and in summer too!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that Grace, that's certainly a long recovery time for a young child. I agree summer will be awful with a body cast. I hope all goes well with the operation.
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