Old Treasury Building, Perth. Built 1874. Abandoned, finally, in 1996. Perth's first ever Government office complex. Victorian Second Empire and Federation Free Classical style, designed by state governement architects GT Poole and RR Jewell. Over the last decade or so, the building has been left derelict. Amazing design, ground zero location. When distances are measured from Perth to anywhere, this is the starting point they are measured from. Perth to Hong Kong - 6012 km's (the official Hong Kong marker being Larry Wong's Chinese Laundry and Dry Cleaning, on Wan Chai Road). At this time, it is looking likely that the old treasury building will be transformed into a new five star hotel. For now, it remains empty. Enjoy the (extensive) set of photos of perhaps Perth's finest abandoned building - Ye Remarkable Old Abandoned Perth Treasury Building.
Also, this is important. Cocktails and Mexican food are at stake. If you are interested in improving your skills with the camera, I should point out that I have a secret weapon. I talk all about it here. Cheers.
56 comments:
Awesome doesn't even come close.
Your whole blog is great, but this set is really something else.
Thanks Michael, yes, it really is amazing that this spectacular building has been sitting abandoned for so long right in the middle of the CBD.
When we were kids my mum had a part time cleaning job in this building. Every night we would drive into the city with dad and wait outside for her to finish work. I've never seen it inside. Thanks for photos/post. L
Great story Lolita - I was hoping that people who previously worked in this building, or had a connection to it, would stumble across this post. Thanks for your comments!
im really loving your blog, this building is magnificant.
This building is magnificent, i'm also loving your blog.
Loving your blue torch are ya nate... Good to see you're still out and about. What's doin?
vast
the stair case photographs look like the old perth modern building quite alot. And george temple poole is a beautiful genius.
Vast! Whats up! I can't explain it, but there was no blue torch - I only noticed later the blue shade in a lot of the pics. Hope those cranes are treating you well... later.
you should see if you can get into the area around the court wine bar in northbridge. I heard there was an underground tunnel around there. great pics
hmmm...tunnels...interesting...
thanks for the compliment
Well cool.
However you got in there that is quite a feat.
Doesn't look like its been visited by vandals / squatters.
Yes anon, I would say not many people have made their way into the building over the years. Very "clean" so to speak...
The building was used for a small production as part of the 2008 Perth International Arts Festival. It was a site-specific piece and was extremely spooky in the old building. Beautiful place.
http://2008.perthfestival.com.au/theatre/dontlookback/
how did you get into this building? these images are so great and i wouldn't mind going to have a look
My lips are sealed, but thanks for the compliments.
I can confirm there is a tunnel connecting the Old Treasury building to the Supreme court. I used to work there when it was the Lands Title office and i heard the rumour about the tunnel so i checked it out and it is indeed there with a large iron gate across it.
I've always wanted to go in that building too - can you organise a photo walk or something? Stunning photos - thanks for your great blog.
I was just wondering if it is possible to access the building without any inconvenience to the government. I am very interested to go and have a look around the place, take some photos.. possibly see if its haunted!
Sorry, I can't answer any questions with regards to access. N.
N - can I please e-mail you regarding this building & access? We are trying to arrange a fashion editorial shoot and this place is perfect x choupinette@live.com.au
i just went there today with sum mate and found a way in its pretty scary we started hearing loads of voices and bangs then we left i dont no if people were in there or it haunted did u hear anything
hi, im with the West Australian State Youth Parliament and am in the process of preparing a piece of legislation for next years parliament specifically concerning derelict buildings such as this and the possibility of perhaps turning some of them into emergency accomadation and support centers for homeless and otherwise disadvantaged youth.
specifically im looking for sites like this one and any others that are in close proximity to perth
I would be very thankful if you could email me back with the information of any other such sites
my email address is luthientinuveil@hotmail.com
thanks,
Luthien Maxwell
I really appreciate your photo's and your blog, man. I think what you're doing is totally worth while... for a blog that could easily be superficial, it goes deep...you would make a great photo journalist.
ben
Thanks for the great compliment, really made my day. N.
I got into this building a few months back, and I have never seen anything like it. It's still in perfect condition too!
i saw some news on it being redeveloped. has it happen yet? wat's the address of this beautiful place?
Redevelopment is about to start (so I hear)... address: corner St Georges Terrace and Barrack St, Perth.
I did work experience there (when it was the Land Tax Officer) as a teenager - one VERY long week.....
we need a secret club of avid abandoned building lovers......
this one is 2 blocks from where I live.
wow, i keep looking across all of your pictures, and all i can say is i view in complete amazement, you capture the essence of their abandoned nature, you give it a haunting and chilling quality that im trying to get in my pictures, one day i hope to take pictures of the same quality and effect but i think im a couple years off from even getting close
thank you very much for your time and efforts
Shaun, that's a great compliment. Thanks!
It has taken me years, but as long as my photos get better each year, I'm happy.
Hi There,
Yes there is a tunnel(s) there. One that leads towards the train station. The other goes in the direction of parliament house... (Or so rumour has it *wink*)
great work on your photo's amazing shot would love to go see some of these places to catch the vib that and old/abandoned building can have keep up the good work
Marvellous old buildings. A pity they are abandoned however better that than demolished. Western Australia has so little remaining of the era with grand proportions and the original skills. Memories of it in much better days when Treasury, Probate, Surveys and Land were there.
ThanQ for your exploration and sharing your photos. Wishing you well in future adventures.
I worked there from 87 to 93...lovely building with character....
There are tunnels also between the Perth mint and the Grosvenor Hotel. You can access via the vacant land next to the Grosvenor Hotel.
can you go in this building now a days?? im looking to film in here.
If anyone is interested in checking this building out before it becomes a hotel they're running a guided tour on Sunday 13th November as part of heritage Perth. Just though I'd share the love. Great work on the photo's N. Gotta say I love this site. Long may it reign.
Hi I'm looking for a photoshoot location in the Perth CBD. Would you know if his building is still in this condition and we can get in? I know it's a random question for you but how did you get into the building? I presume I have to get some kind of permission? Could you help?
Hi Songy,
Permission?
lol
N.
Thankyou for taking these pictures. Your site alone has ignited a fascination with urban exloration to me.I have seen a few books around on the subject but most bookshops I visit don't have them/ can't get them. Any recommendations?
I also know of a few places in the south west of WA in a more rural setting that would be great to take some pictures.
Thanks anon... glad your interest has been sparked... I really don't have any book recommendations, but there are a lot of photos all over the internet of various abandoned buildings. Happy searching!
I worked on refurbishment when it was last done worked on scaffold went into roof cavity by mistake through hatch lit my cigarette lighter found one of the first western Australian telephone exchange books has queens gardens quart number in it mills & wares biscuit factory in Fremantle la steeres number and julls names that are built into our history book is paper very old in excellent condition front of book print says exchange booklet didn't know what it was old bloke told me what it was rapt to have old piece of western Australian history
theres people trying to get old buildings fixed up for homeless youth to live in....why? they already do and its more fun when you can kick down a door occasionally!
Fantastic photos! My great-uncle worked there in the Lands and Surveys department around 60 years ago. Hopefully if you are looking at soviet era architecture in Eastern Europe you go to Slovakia. They have amazing ones. Thank you for what you do.
If your after books on urbex try Planet books in the photography section. Mind you the focus is on abandonment in America the UK and Europe. Also the is a plethora of sites on the interweb. Three of my favorites (other than this one and Perth Urban Exploring for places here in Perth)are UK site Whatever's Left America's Opacity and Japan's Haikyo Urban Exploration in Japan. And there is an excellent doco on YouTube called Urban Explorers: Into The Darkness link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6TsEqWy_CE
Hope this has been helpful
Ohay!
This place looks amazing!
Do you know if it's still abandoned or even there?
If so is it difficult to get in there or did you have to seek out permissions? I'm seeking out places like this for a photo shoot with a burlesque model.
Hey mate, I'm on an iPhone so had a little trouble leaving a name and URL due to the UI.
Anyways, I'm a young entrepreneur who has kept up with your site for a while now, originally my study laid in film making and you always provided amazing locations for our productions.
However, I'm now working within the security industry.
I have been for a couple years now and am looking to start my own company centred on security training, and services provided by the younger generation 18-30ish.
Which leaves me looking for a building to house operations.
So I ask if you know, or know where I can find info on various abandon sites around Perth, and of their fate?
I've come to "abandon buildings" for I've heard stories of the city giving away buildings to people willing to refurbish them and maintain its history.
I am myself relatively experienced, though know many qualified tradesman (friends) who are willing to work such a project for low cost as an investment, now it seems all I need is a building.
Are there any other sites you'd recommend, and who would I contact?
Thanks in advance,
I'll keep checking in for a reply.
Cool pics. I got to take a walk through there today to flick some breakers. It's looking a fair bit shabbier at the moment.
Can't understand how you peeps can claim to live in Perth and not know where this is. Haha.
N, your cool. Hopefully run into you in life.
The building is the true centre of Perth. There is a marker at the south east corner where all measurements start from. Love all your work.
Please see this website for an update on the building:
http://weloveperth.net.au/open-house-perth-treasury-building/
yes tunnels , thats right being the treasury building there is a tunnel that goes from the mint to the treasury building
I know this building very well and it's so sad to see it in that condition. I worked there for several years in the late 60s and early 70s with the then Lands and Surveys Department and have great memories of my years in that building. I was working there when the Mecking earthquake struck. The place was so unsafe with pillars and archways having to be propped up. For several years I sat at a window overlooking the Supreme Court Gardens and saw the huge boulders being put in place that form the rock totum pole. And yes I can confirm that there is a tunnel because I've been down there and seen it. Thanks so much for bringing back memories. I especially love the old staircases and hope they retain them when they finally decide to renovate and refirbish the building.
The building is completely restored inside now and the new hotel that is to be located within it will be a credit to Perth. The developer responsible has done nothing less than a stunning job. I am looking forward to book a room and stay there in the new year. I believe the hotel is aiming for mid October opening.
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