Perth station to get a facelift
The face of the Perth train station, the grand dame of inner-city architecture, is about to get one of the biggest renovations in its history.
The front of the 120-year-old building is to be opened up for one or two food and beverage outlets in a move designed to "revitalise the station precinct and surrounding area".
Expressions of interest are being sought from today for suitable food, drink or retail operators.
The 10-year leasing plan involves one 411sqm tenancy or two smaller tenancies (269 and 142sqm).
INTERACTIVE - SEE PERTH'S LANDMARK BUILDINGS THEN AND NOW
As reported by The West Australian in March, the heritage-listed building - one of the oldest railway stations in Australia - is getting an $11.5 million renovation that includes upgrades to its drainage, electrical system, heating and ventilation.
"The building fabric and systems have been mistreated for more than 100 years," project manager Kasia Kalczynska said at the time.
Through the years: The station in 1956.
"It's basically been held together by paint.
"Leaseholders have not respected the heritage significance of the building and - over 100 years - it has gradually got worse.
"The exterior will be painted and cleaned. We can't strip the paint back because the bricks are so soft - the paint is holding everything together. That's why we're also putting steel rods through the chimneys."
The station in 1905
Transport Minister Dean Nalder said the two tenancies, near the main entrance of the station on Wellington Street, represented a unique opportunity for businesses.
"Due to the Government's investment in the Perth City Link project, the centre of the city is starting to come alive like never before," he said.
Expressions of interest can be submitted to leasing company Burgess Rawson.
As it was in 1894
The original train station opened in 1881, built on a reclaimed lake. But the growth of the city meant a new, bigger station was soon needed. Just east of the old station - but still on reclaimed lake land - the new two-storey building cost $13,180 and was finished on March 25, 1894.
It featured exclusive ladies' and gentlemen's toilets, a refreshment room, a polished cedar ticket office and the office of chief engineer C.Y. O'Connor behind the clock on the top floor.
His office is still intact.
