Conservation or adaptive reuse of a State Registered Place

This category recognises conservation or adaptation of a place entered in the State Register of Heritage Places.

The conservation and adaptive reuse of 101 Canning Highway is an elegant 21st Century rebirth of a historic landmark. Formerly the East Fremantle Post and Telegraph Office, the building had been vacant for many years. The owners have undertaken a meticulous conservation and adaptation project that has enhanced its original character with an elegant and sympathetic new design.

Project owner: Yard Property
Heritage architect: element
Builder: Postiva

Former Commonwealth Bank Building, Bunbury

“The Old Bank” has been restored to its former glory and is a focal building due to its strategic location in Bunbury. The carefully selected restoration team executed the conservation project with great passion, extensive research and consultation with the City of Bunbury and Heritage Council. As renovations progressed, exciting heritage features dating back to the original construction were uncovered. Great efforts were taken to maintain the re-discovered heritage attributes of “The Old Bank”.

Project owner and manager: Kevin Coote
Architect: Kent Lyon Architect
Builder: Ian Drummond

Farmers Home Hotel, Northam

For over 150-years, the Farmers Home Hotel has been at the heart of the Northam community and a place of welcome and comfort for everyone from pioneers to premiers. This rich heritage served as inspiration throughout the hotel’s multi-million dollar restoration and conservation, which resurrected the Northam landmark on the same principles as which it was founded, to reopen as a modern boutique hotel, wine bar and Dome Café.

This layering of old and new is celebrated in the hotel’s design and interpretation. Contemporary design, both cutting-edge and understated, provides a new level of amenity and sophistication while ensuring the building’s federation grandeur and heritage features take centre stage to reveal the hotel’s remarkable story.

Owner and Director: Dôme Café Group
Architecture: spaceagency
Builder: Masterbuilt Constructions

Fountain Office Redevelopment at Parliament House

Approximately 35-years after construction, the fountains were decommissioned due to serious structural issues, major water leaks and the prohibitive cost of repair. The structure became dilapidated and a public liability risk. In 2017, the decision was made to repurpose the fountains for office accommodation. Parliament worked closely with the Heritage Council, Perth City Council and WA Planning Commission ensuring design of the new accommodation mirrored original design of the fountains, with the only noticeable change being glass infill between columns and the installation of a lift shaft. The result is a major improvement to a Western Australian heritage-listed asset.

Architect: LT Architect
Specialty Consultants: ARUP, BG&E, BCA, Hallmark, Flint, Gabriels Hearne Farrell
Concrete Restoration: Duratec Australia

Old Onslow Townsite

The conservation of the Old Onslow Cemetery is an exemplar of cemetery conservation, undertaken with great respect and best conservation practice in line with the Burra Charter. A remarkable achievement given the remote and harsh environment.

The project has made a significant contribution to tourism opportunities in Onslow. The revelation and acknowledgement of Aboriginal gravesites provides an insight into a significant stage of the settlement history and associations with existing Aboriginal community in Onslow and the Ashburton region. All of which enrich the history and heritage of the region and its value to community pride and visitor enhancement.

Project Owner: Shire of Ashburton
Conservations Works: HI Constructions
Conservation Consultant: Laura Gray, Heritage Intelligence (WA)

Warders Hotel and Emily Taylor, Fremantle

Warders Hotel and Emily Taylor have been adapted from a Victorian Georgian style row of six terrace houses built in 1851 to house warders working at the prison and their families. The hotel rooms retain both the fabric and essence of the original building, providing an immersive heritage experience with modern amenities facilitating a luxurious stay. The hotel provides 11 suites and a hole-in-the-wall bar called the Gimlet.

Project Owner: Prendiville Group
Architect: Matthew Crawford Architects
Heritage Architect: Griffiths Architects
Archaeology: Gavin Jackson Cultural
Builder: McCorkell Construction

York Residency Museum

York is WA's oldest inland town and a seismic hotspot. Economic and intangible benefits to the community, the State and the nation relate to the preservation of York's exceptional built heritage.

The vision was to future-proof the museum by applying wider, holistic thinking rather than simply addressing the retrofit works. The goals were to make the building more resilient against multi natural hazards and tackle outstanding legacy conservation issues such as damp, decay and degradation. It is a model of best practice in its approach, the thoroughness of planning, preparation and implementation future-proofing the last extant Convict Depot Superintendent’s Quarters in Western Australia.

Project Owner: Shire of York
Specialist Earthquake Mitigation Advice: Geoscience Australia and University of Adelaide
Heritage Engineer: Peter Baxendale
Archaeology: Snappygum Heritage Services
Heritage Builder: Colgan Industries

Page last reviewed 20 October 2021

Conservation or adaptive reuse of a State Registered Place

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101 Canning Highway (East Fremantle Post and Telegraph Office)