Redevelopment to allow iconic Perth Concert Hall to shine

The striking mid-century architecture will receive important structural upgrades along with improved accessibility within and around the concert hall, new spaces for events and improved seating and rehearsal spaces.

Funding for the refurbishment of the 51-year-old heritage-listed building includes $134.3 million from the Western Australian Government, $12 million from the Australian Government and $4 million from the City of Perth.

The concert hall, forecourts and car park will be closed to the public during construction works, with the venue anticipated to re-open in early 2028.

Design firms WITH Architecture Studio and Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) are the lead architects for the redevelopment works, which include:

• 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.

The Perth Concert Hall hosts more than 160 events each year and, once redeveloped, will be reinstated as Western Australia's premium entertainment precinct and provide a long-awaited home for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO).

Originally designed by architects Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey, the venue was the first concert hall to be built in Australia after World War II, with its doors opening to the public on 26 January 1973.

For more information about the WASO program, visit www.waso.com.au. The 2025 program will be released on 28 November 2024.