storey office building perth western australia located government house city central business district metre building designed opened queen perth hosted british_empire history served headquarters built modernist style building subject vigorous public debate heritage value parties consider building important example modernist architecture city whilst consider ugly conflicting views led animosity 1990s refused heritage list property instead recommended demolition despite city perth opted tower headquarters following building admitted state prior site history site originally home colony governing building came known building designed august asked prepare plans public offices site tender accepted maximum specified payment delayed february stood metres occupied building moved chamber adjoining new perth town hall returned building newly formed took chamber 1890s building taken building continued public offices additions building 1930s included second storey contained room offices senior public servants showing age building eventually described rat infested hell hole based perth town hall moved offices site chosen site new home immediately south public offices building stood building building taken abc radio studio competition construction news perth hosting british_empire launched international competition design new building brief competition design creative building marked perth time building ready time opening commonwealth games designs entered competition including melbourne architectural firm smart jury assessing competition entries included architect described plan remarkably simple solution complex problem declared winners competition abc moved new premises site taken construction begin buildings demolished way redevelopment excavations construction building foundations started october concrete pour occurred november building completely finished time perth hosted november builders rushed finish ground eighth 10th floors time foreign dignitaries entertained reception areas following games fit building finished march march queen elizabeth_ii officially opened unveiling metre tall ceremonial plaque set granite original london performed cost million building perth use complete window order reduce heat entering building height windows building internal external sun breakers building opened activities moved bailey plans complex included extension westwards sites supreme_court plan construction elliptical auditorium called public suite plan build dropped completion design bailey building eventually built opposite 1990s refurbishment heritage listing building continued serve headquarters completion vacated allow removal building steel frame council moved office space building commissioners appointed state oversee break voted demolish building time refurbishment costs estimated run million plan demolish building extend right site broader plan entitled perth city people included sinking riverside drive housing supreme_court roof suggested council offered incentive million significant public debate ensued building kept prominent fight save building included architect said date step older heritage buildings surround heritage minister refused place building despite calls decision stunned despite recommendation demolition late newly formed city perth feasibility study carried refurbished feasibility study carried bailey partners son original designer cost study indicated building economically refurbished december council unanimously agreed press ahead refurbishment plans removing building underground car park rear site decision helped fact interest rates time low cheaper service loan pay rent time refurbishment expected cost million new bay car park rear building required removal new_zealand pine estimated years old described opposition disgrace undermine heritage value concern expressed refurbishment cause building lose heritage value interiors contract building won construction company july price million architect refurbishment building stripped bare bones tiny tiles coating building distinctive fins removed repaired surface refurbishment involved construction new lord mayoral space reception area eleventh floor plant level enclosure ground floor previously partially open elements replacement gold venetian feature building past city perth moved february placed unused floors lease refurbishment widely considered qualified success building restored western australian state election resulted change government including change heritage minister restored building finally placed interim heritage list heritage minister march heritage minister resisted nomination 1990s attacked decision list building left wing supporters recommended november listing building ahead building entered permanent entry december design reaction constructed concrete steel frame lifts service rooms located eastern end fire escape western end level houses distinctive circular features wood restored largely original state 1990s refurbishment contrast levels building building completely clad glass led criticism excessive air conditioning costs glass exterior building shaped white superimposed alternating pattern building coated fine mosaic tiles newly enclosed floor building levels ground building favourite creation designer called important example modernist architecture perth state modernist icons building described demonstrating modernist aspirations school warmth described reflecting perth time city confidence consciously promoting world modern city architects described building simultaneously elegant heavy introducing poetry repetitive system sun big facade sides building divided public years branding building considered classic example 1960s architecture important reminder perth past unique building suggested said building built having built wrong place led lighting outside building fitted led lights officially turned april located roof window structures bulkheads able individually computer controlled coloured lights installed cost million
Council House, Perth