Paspaley Pearls Secures Heritage Showroom Approval in Perth CBD
Luxury retailer Paspaley Pearls has been granted permission to establish a showroom within a historic heritage-listed substation on Murray Street in Perth's central business district. The Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel unanimously endorsed the $6.5 million development project during its February 19 meeting, marking a significant step in revitalising the long-vacant building.
Historic Substation to Undergo Transformation
The No. 2 Substation, situated between William and King streets, was originally constructed in 1916 as one of four electricity substations built by the Perth City Council to support the State Government's East Perth Power Station. After being decommissioned in the 1980s and stripped of its equipment, the building has remained largely unused for decades.
This heritage site is listed on both the State Register of Heritage Places and the City of Perth's Planning Scheme No.2 Heritage List, and it falls within the designated King Street Heritage Area. As part of the redevelopment, a notable J & E Ledger cast iron spiral staircase will be removed to accommodate the new showroom layout.
Balancing Heritage Preservation with Modern Use
City of Perth councillor Raj Doshi praised the proposal, stating, "This proposal represents a balanced and considered approach to revitalising a heritage place while retaining its core significance." Panel presiding member Karen Hyde echoed this sentiment, expressing satisfaction that the impacts on the building's heritage value had been minimised as much as possible.
Hyde further noted, "I think it fits well with the other nearby retail tenancies, and also the hotel and office uses nearby. It certainly adds to the vibrancy and activation of this area." The development had initially received conditional approval in June of the previous year, but demolition plans were subsequently revised to address heritage concerns.
Activating a Long-Vacant Heritage Asset
City of Perth planning officer Amie Groom highlighted the benefits of the project, explaining that the building had been vacant for a significant period and its purchase by Paspaley would finally activate the space. "Without that sale, the building probably would have continued to remain vacant for a very long time," she told the panel.
Groom added, "This will allow people to enter the building. It's not going to be the general public in a manner that'll be able to enter the building regularly, but people will be able to enter the building and see what the building once looked like." The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage acknowledged that while the extent of demolition was greater than previously supported, it would ultimately improve the building's usability and ensure its preservation through adaptive reuse.
A New Chapter for Perth's Heritage Landscape
The approval of Paspaley Pearls' showroom project represents a key example of how heritage buildings can be thoughtfully repurposed to meet contemporary needs while honouring their historical significance. This development not only brings a luxury retail presence to the area but also contributes to the ongoing revitalisation of Perth's CBD, blending old-world charm with modern commercial vitality.
