Australia's Ritz may return to glory days
The Savoy's upper floors have been empty for decades.
One hundred years after Perth's Savoy Hotel was built and almost three decades after it closed, the hotel once dubbed "the Ritz of Australia" could be reopened under plans being considered by its Singaporean owners.
Investment group Starhill Global Reit is understood to have held early talks with City of Perth planners about restoring the Savoy as a boutique hotel.
Although no plan is yet on the table, sources estimate the cost of restoring the heritage-listed building at more than $20 million.
Starhill, which also owns the Plaza Arcade and neighbouring David Jones building, has owned the Hay Street mall property since 2009.
Its ground floor houses retailers including Pandora, Zu and Betts.
The upstairs floors have been empty since the hotel closed in the 1980s.
Built in 1914 in the Federation Free Classical style and designed by celebrated West Australian architect Sir Joseph John Talbot Hobbs, the Savoy has a rich history that includes a stint during World War II as an army club housing almost 100 officers.
The building was declared dangerous in the late 1990s and its facade was restored in 2002 as part of David Jones' expansion.
Various proposals for the site have been touted over the years but failed to eventuate.
Planning Institute of Australia's West Australian young planner of the year Matt Rogers has been campaigning for the Savoy to be restored to its former glory as a hotel or something else via the Perth Urbanist website.
"The response we have had has shown us that everyone above a certain age and who grew up in Perth seems to have their own story about the Savoy," he said.
"I would love to see the Savoy Hotel back atop its pedestal as the place to stay and the place to be seen in Perth.
"It is a beautiful and important building and it is simply sad to see it has been empty and largely unused since the late 1980s."
Perth Urbanist co-founder Stewart Doran said the hotel was once the premier location in Perth.
Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said she would love to see the building "come back to life".
"The council is a strong believer in upper-floor activation and I hope something can be progressed," she said.
"However, the discussions with Starhill are only informal and in-confidence at this stage.
"It is recognised that to restore this heritage building to a modern hotel would be an expensive proposition and the city will assist with planning issues wherever possible."
Source: The West Australian - 5th December 2014
