Updating an educational landmark

 

Curtin University St Georges Terrace is housed in the oldest stone building in the Perth central business district, located at 139 St Georges Terrace.

 

The building is culturally significant, having been home to many prominent organisations, including some of Western Australia’s defining educational institutions. From 1977, the National Trust of Australia (WA) has managed the building on behalf of the community.

 

The limestone walled building was constructed in 1854, designed by Colonial Secretary of WA, William Ayshford Sanford and Clerk of Works Richard Roach Jewell to accommodate Perth Boys’ School, one of Australia’s oldest public boys’ schools. Sanford, who was affiliated with the Cambridge Camden Society, an English group interested in Gothic Revival and ecclesiastical (church-related) architecture, influenced the building’s unique appearance, including the steeply pitched roof and narrow gothic-style windows.

 

The building has since housed several institutions, including WA’s first provider of technical education, Perth Technical School, later renamed Perth Technical College, which was a predecessor to the Western Australian Institute of Technology and Curtin University.

 

Curtin’s leasing deal with the National Trust in 2015 allows the building to come full circle. Our acquisition ensures this building – Perth’s oldest educational landmark – will once again be affiliated with innovation and high-quality education.