The Alexander Buildings

Bringing new life and community to an iconic street corner

Project info

Client: Silverleaf
Location: Mount Lawley, WA
Traditional owners: Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation
Value: $7M
Size: 2,800sqm
Date: Completed 2020
Collaborators: Cameron Aitkenhead – Head Office (artist)
Photography: Robert Frith – Acorn Photo

Silverleaf engaged TRCB to refurbish The Alexander Buildings and create a community hub within the existing heritage fabric. Our response involved the restoration of the Art Deco facade, the renovation of an existing arcade, and an extension that includes office space above retail and hospitality tenancies.

Drawing inspiration from historic tenants Whitworth’s Drapery Shop, undulating ‘rails’ support permeable canopies while a kinetic screen provides sunshading to the newly created office spaces on the cantilevered upper floor. Varied paving types and textures – such as the brickwork reclaimed from the existing heritage building – reinforce this chosen language.

Another key design move was to reorient the arcade’s opening to better address the iconic intersection of Beaufort Street and Walcott Street. This, coupled with an integrated artwork that guides patrons through, has improved pedestrian connections and reinvigorated the thoroughfare.

Today, The Alexander Buildings provide tangible benefits both to their commercial tenants and the Mount Lawley neighbourhood at large. Key access issues have been resolved, and previously under-utilised heritage areas have been revitalised, energising the rear portion of the complex into an activated community asset.

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