His Majesty’s Theatre

Dec 16

A benchmark in heritage revitalisation

Project info

Client: Perth Theatre Trust
Location: Perth, WA
Traditional owners: Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation
Value: $4.17 Million
Date: 2017–2020
Collaborators: Philip Griffiths Architects (Heritage)
Image credit: Robert Frith – Acorn Photo

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and The Perth Theatre Trust engaged TRCB to upgrade Perth’s premier heritage theatre. The existing documentation for the century-old building often proved to be incorrect, creating challenges that necessitated constant adaptation during the design and building process.

Our response was to reconfigure the building’s interior to improve connections between venues within and to re-establish suitable openings on the building’s exterior to strengthen its relationship with the city.

The high-level heritage significance of the site required a design approach that respected the theatre’s rich history, ensuring that as little as possible of the original 1904 building fabric was impacted. A handcrafted Edwardian, jarrah bar was carefully dismantled and reassembled in its new home on the first floor. Rich textures and regal colours work together to complement existing interiors. The reinstated corner entrance to the box office, bespoke steel-framed glazing, and fluted glass shopfronts create rapport between the building and the street.

The result is a revitalisation for a new century; a stylish, contemporary fit-out for this historically significant building. Reconfigured spaces and new staircases have boosted patronage and improved the visitor experience while maintaining the sense of opulence that has always been associated with His Majesty’s Theatre.

Awards