Westin Hotel to revive Perth’s east end
Artists Impression
Perth’s much derided east end is about to get a rejuvenation with BGC’s $500 million, 28-level Westin Hotel development at 480 Hay Street.
The drab and shabby part of Perth’s CBD will get a complete makeover with the five-star hotel, on the site of the old Perth Fire Station.
Much of it will come from 60-room Westin’s drawcard landscaped food, drink and entertainment area with street-level drawcard food, drink, restaurant, craft and convenience outlets attracting an estimated 45,000 pedestrians passing through the area each day.
The plan is to extend the clean, inviting space created by the nearby State Buildings and create a welcoming, 24-hour entertainment precinct in the block of land between Hay, Murray and Irwin streets, just a block from the Royal Perth Hospital and close to Victoria Square.
Lease Equity’s managing director Jim Tsagalis said there is the potential of ground floor food and drink options, alfresco areas, potential for a cocktail bar and dine-in. That’s in addition to a rooftop restaurant and bar on the Irwin Street side.
The venues, ranging from 100 square metres to 600 square metres, will be designed not only for hotel guests but also locals, including doctors and nurses working all hours at Royal Perth Hospital.
There will also be an events program providing further attractions.
The original hotel development had a 22 storey office tower which, Mr Tsagalis said, would be landscaped, in effect extending the public open space in the piazza near the hotel entry.
“It’s going to create an active public space and central hub for the city’s east end,” Mr Tsagalis told the West Australian.
“It’s a really exciting time for the city’s east end. We are at the very beginning of the gentrification of this area. Treasury has already hit benchmarks. With Northbridge, Perth City Link and Elizabeth Quay, it will all have a multiplier effect.”
by Leon Gettler, May 18th 2017
