Australia Post administration will end almost a century of operations at the GPO in Forrest Place following the approval of plans to transform the heritage-listed building into prime office and retail space.
Australia Post administration will end almost a century of operations at the GPO in Forrest Place following the approval of plans to transform the heritage-listed building into prime office and retail space.
The eight-storey building, including basement, is to be renovated, with the 200 Australia Post staff to vacate the premises as soon as suitable new office space is found.
The move is planned to provide a retail thoroughfare to the new MetroRail station being built behind the GPO site on William Street.
Australia Post state communications manager Ian Leggoe said the organisation was trying to find alternative space for its GPO retail operations and administration in the fastest time possible in the current market.
In the meantime negotiations with a principle tenant for the bulk of the office space were being finalised.
“We’re currently searching within the CBD and commercial fringe suburbs for an interim location for our GPO retail and commercial operations, but will look to the overall network when deciding whether to return,” Mr Leggoe said.
“However, administration will be making a permanent move.”
Renovations already approved by the Perth City Council, and endorsed by the Heritage Council of WA, include the restoration of a large glass atrium stretching up through the middle of the building
Rapid access to the upper floors will be assured via a bank of three new lifts, which will replace existing lifts and bring the building more in line with modern office requirements.
Mr Leggoe said the unoccupied upper floors were “mothballed” and once an anchor tenant was found the floors would be redeveloped to suit their requirements.
The ground floor space is considered ideal for retail, with the potential for more than six stores to occupy the proposed walkways fronting Forrest Place and through the rear of the building to join 140 William Street.
However, Mr Leggoe said plans for the redevelopment of the rear of the building were on hold until plans for the mix-use site at 140 William Street, directly behind the GPO, were finalised.
“We will be looking to attract more sophisticated retailers that are sensitive to the heritage qualities of the building,” he told WA Business News.
Mr Leggoe said the two-storey Postal Hall in the centre of the building would be restored and may house an “alfresco” type restaurant operation, attracting natural light with the restoration of the central glass atrium, currently concealed behind a false ceiling.
Costs are expected to be significantly more than the $12 million suggested to Perth City Council in 2005.
Built in stages between 1916 and 1923, the GPO building was classified by the National Trust in 1978 and entered into the Register of Heritage Places by the Heritage Council of WA in 1992.
Tenders for construction will be called soon for the 3,538 square metre site.
