A new tempo for Perth’s home of music and entertainment.
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.
As part of the $1.7 billion Perth City Deal, $150.3 million has been allocated to the redevelopment of the Perth Concert Hall (PCH), comprising $134.3 million from the State Government, $12 million from the Australian Government, and $4 million from the City of Perth.
The investment will restore the much-loved heritage building’s architectural integrity, preserve its renowned acoustics, distinctive features and enhance the surrounding courtyards. The improved facilities will allow for broader community engagement and equitable access.
The management order for the building was previously with the City of Perth, now it has returned to the State, under the care of the Arts and Culture Trust.
The PCH project is governed by an inter-agency Steering Committee with DLGSC as the Chair. The Steering Committee has representation from the following State Government agencies:
In preparing for the redevelopment of the PCH, collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders and surrounding organisations was undertaken to determine the objectives and achievable outcomes of the project.
Throughout the delivery of the project, the stakeholders will continue to be engaged, to ensure the combined vision of the PCH is delivered. These include:
To support the concept of the redevelopment project, key objectives were created to guide its development.
The Perth Concert Hall was originally designed by architects Jeffrey Howlett and Don Bailey and officially opened on 26 January 1973. It was Australia’s first concert hall built after World War II and boasts a grand auditorium seating 1,731. You can view further information on the Concert Hall’s history here.
As the cherished home of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO), PCH is now set for a major transformation.
The PCH redevelopment project, led by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) and the Department of Finance, is a major initiative to improve Perth's cultural facilities. The WA Symphony Orchestra (WASO), which relies on PCH for its rehearsals and performances, is also involved in providing services to the West Australian Opera and Ballet.
Efforts to secure a home for WASO have been underway since 2000, with commitments from both the City of Perth (CoP) and the WA Government. The redevelopment will resolve these longstanding conversations and provide a consolidated home for WASO once redevelopment is complete.
Venue closes
Contract award and construction commences
Construction
Construction complete, testing and handover
Official opening
For the redevelopment to take place safely, the Perth Concert Hall and its forecourts will need to be closed to the public during construction works. WASO will hold their final concerts in the Perth Concert Hall in December with construction commencing early 2025.