Having initially been unveiled in spring 2015 with the opening of the boutique COMO The Treasury hotel, the Cathedral Square precinct boasts a varied collection of bars, restaurants and shops, creating its own unique community in the very heart of the city.
Perth has recently added a whole new dimension to its ever-evolving CBD, and its epicentre is the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street.
The Cathedral Square precinct – consisting of St George’s Cathedral, the heritage-listed State Buildings, and the state-of-the-art City Library – brings a mix of history and modernity, of hospitality and functionality, to this previously under-used area.
Read on for an in-depth guide to Perth’s newest urban hub.
St Georges Cathedral
Serving as the inspiration behind the precinct’s name, the iconic St George’s Cathedral was consecrated in 1888 as an Anglican place of worship.
It is constructed of handmade bricks in Gothic revival design, and, along with its regular services, hosts a number of events throughout the year.
As part of the redevelopment, the lawns behind the cathedral, which separate it from the new City of Perth library, are set to become a focal point for community activities, and a place where workers and visitors can come to relax and engage in this emerging urban quarter.
City of Perth Library
Situated on Hay Street, behind St George’s Cathedral, is the new state-of-the-art public library, due to open in March 2016.
The multi-level building is designed by local architects Kerry Hill, and will include galleries, reading rooms, multi-purpose AV facilities, a café and an elevated terrace.
Its central location will make it the perfect educational hub for students, city workers and tourists alike – as a place of quiet reflection, exploration and interaction.
Website: perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/perth-city-library
State Buildings
Lying vacant for nearly two decades, the three interconnected, heritage-listed State Buildings on the corner of St George’s Terrace and Barrack Street have been re-imagined as a centre of hospitality and retail, boasting an exquisite mix of businesses:
COMO The Treasury
This 48-room boutique hotel is Australia’s first COMO property, and officially opened its doors in October.
Designed by Kerry Hill, it features two restaurants, a bar, lounge and library, plus holistic wellness therapies for guests as part of the COMO Shambhala Urban Escape. Business clients can also hire out the hotel’s 24-seat boardroom.
The property is a welcome addition to Perth’s luxury hotel scene, and provides a stylish inner-city sanctuary for both guests and non-guests.
Website: comohotels.com/thetreasury
Wildflower
The hotel’s fine dining option comes in the form of its glass-box rooftop Wildflower restaurant, led by Perth-born executive chef Jed Gerrard.
Comprising an 80-seat main dining room, a bar and outdoor terrace, plus an 18-seat private dining room, it serves contemporary European cuisine with an indigenous twist, reflected in its Noongar Six Seasons menu concept.
Every dish features local, organic produce.
Wildflower is open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch (12pm-2.30pm) and dinner (6pm-10pm), and the bar is open from 5pm to 11pm.
Website: wildflowerperth.com.au
Post
The Postal Hall within the State Buildings is perhaps one of the finest examples of the complex’s extensive restoration, acting as a focal point, dining hub and thoroughfare between St George’s Terrace and Hay Street.
It is also home to the COMO The Treasury hotel’s second restaurant, Post, located in the original franking room on the ground floor.
Like Wildflower, it is overseen by executive chef Jed Gerrard, and offers casual dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
The fare is modern Australian with a French influence, sourced from local produce, and also includes the COMO chain’s famed Shambhala spa cuisine and signature juices.
While the main restaurant area has a capacity of approx. 60 people, there are additionally two private dining rooms seating eight and twelve respectively.
Website: postperth.com.au
Petition
Opposite Post on the other side of the Postal Hall, on the corner of St George’s Terrace and Barrack Street, is Petition, is a cluster of three different spaces – the Kitchen, Wine Bar & Merchant, and Beer Corner.
Under head chef Jesse Blake, Petition Kitchen serves rustic, bistro-style food showcasing the best of WA’s local produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Featuring eclectic, custom-design furnishings, it also includes a street-side outdoor area.
Petition Wine Bar & Merchant boasts an array of boutique wines, which may be selected directly from its ‘library’ or its ‘by the glass’ menu.
It also serves light snacks, including cold meats and cheeses, as well as spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, and is open every day from 11am until late.
Completing the trifecta of venues is Petition Beer Corner, a warehouse-like bar with original wooden flooring, exposed ceilings and brickwork, and large window.
With some of WA’s best craft beers on tap, and serving tapas-style nibbles, the Beer Corner is the perfect place for after-work drinks or casual catch-ups with friends.
It’s open every day from 11.30am (midday on Sundays) until late.
Website: petitionperth.com
Long Chim
Lovers of Thai street food need travel no further than the basement level of the Old Treasury building, where they are instantly transported to the sights and smells of Bangkok’s laneways at David Thompson’s Long Chim.
Following on from its counterpart at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, the 170-seat Perth property features a main dining area serving a mix of individual and shared dishes, as well as a bar and outdoor courtyard with funky murals.
Mid-priced fare ranges from the staple pad Thai to Asian-style salads, curries and seafood.
Long Chim is open daily for lunch and dinner, with private dining and events facilities also available.
Website: longchimperth.com
Halford Bar
If nightcaps are more your thing, Halford is certainly willing to oblige.
Located at the back of the State Buildings complex on the corner of Hay Street and Cathedral Avenue, this 1950s-inspired wine and cocktail lounge is the perfect place to luxuriate and enjoy a late-night tipple and snack amongst its dark nooks and luscious velvet.
Also Halford is home to some of Perth’s best toasties!
Opening at 4pm, however, it is equally suitable for after-work drinks.
Website: halfordbar.com.au
Telegram Coffee
The seemingly inconspicuous wooden box at the back of the State Buildings, on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street, springs to life from 6am to 4pm weekdays, transforming itself into a bustling pop-up coffee cart for office workers and visitors seeking a pick-me-up as they pass through the Postal Hall.
Telegram selects its coffees from local roasters who source globally, and also serves a variety of teas and other beverages.
Website: telegramcoffee.com.au
Sue Lewis Chocolatier
As you walk past the State Buildings along St Georges Terrace, be sure to look down, for some sweet delights lie waiting below street level.
One of these is Sue Lewis Chocolatier, selling an exquisite selection of chocolates made by hand using local, often organic produce.
Originally hailing from London, Sue is a qualified chef who moved to Perth in 2011 and built up her business after initially selling chocolates at the Subiaco Farmers Market.
She runs classes on Wednesday evenings, where participants learn about the chocolate-making process and can even craft some of their own.
It is also worth noting that her creations contain no preservatives, and are lower in sugar than other chocolates – so you can shop guilt-free!
The shop is open 10am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.
Website: suelewischocolatier.com.au
Sugarplum Sweets
Continuing the trend of subterranean sweetness, this dessert boutique run by Flavia Harris is a haven for those with a sweet-tooth, selling all manner of handmade celebration cakes, cupcakes, macarons, slices, cronuts (croissants crossed with doughnuts) and other goodies.
It also offers catering packages for parties, functions and even corporate events – with edible logos to boot.
Sugarplum Sweets’ Perth store is open 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.
Website: sugarplumsweets.com.au
The Honeycake
All good things come in threes, and the third sanctuary of sweetness at Cathedral Square comes in the form of The Honeycake, which specialises in selling a traditional Czech layered cake, inspired by the aunt of co-owner Simona Kapounova.
It is the first Western Australian producer of this treat, which is made from natural ingredients, free from preservatives, and tantalises taste buds with its fusion of honey-flavoured goodness, creamy caramel and walnuts.
Cakes may be purchased round or as slabs, and also cater to special dietary requests.
The shop is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Website: thehoneycake.com.au
Ginger B
Qualified naturopath Bianca Cloghan has combined her passion for wellness, food and homewares to create a unique business selling top-quality, eco-conscious hampers prepared lovingly by hand for any occasion.
The products showcase local artisans, and make the perfect gift – whether personal or corporate.
Ginger B is located in the State Buildings on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street (accessible from the Postal Hall), and is open 10am to 6pm weekdays, 10am-4pm Saturdays and 11am-3pm Sundays.
Website: gingerb.com.au
Clean Slate
A staircase leading off St Georges Terrace takes you down to the secret (and fragrant) little world of Clean Slate Skin Care, founded by Katrina Snowden.
With a strong focus on keeping things pure, natural and simple, Clean Slate sells speciality vegan soap, skin products and candles.
It also runs various workshops for those wanting to try something new.
Clean Slate is open 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm Saturdays.
Website: cleanslateskincare.com
Aurelio Costarella
One of Western Australia’s most successful designers, Aurelio Costarella has chosen the State Buildings as the venue for his new flagship boutique.
The store features his ready-to-wear collection, as well as a separate room showcasing select accessories and objects, ranging from candles and vases, to necklaces and bags.
It is located on the ground floor of the Postal Hall, on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street.
Website: aureliocostarella.com
Flowers by Aneura
Nestled at the back of the Postal Hall, Angela Broad’s Flowers by Aneura adds some floral flair to the State Buildings, selling striking, organic and often native arrangements.
Angela puts her landscape design skills to the test to create unique bouquets, posies and potted products as gifts and centrepieces.
Website: aneuraflowers.com.au
