Perth must learn from the mistakes of its past when grand iconic buildings were demolished to make way for modern steel and glass structures.

That’s the message from Museum of Perth executive director Reece Harley who has warned that it is still important to “remain vigilant”.

“From the 1960s to the 90s, and even as recently as 2014, many of Perth’s historic and architecturally important buildings have been demolished with little concern for the past,” Mr Harley, who is also a City of Perth councillor, said.

“It’s thanks to the thousands of West Australians who have fought to save Perth’s history over the years — beginning with the Barracks Arch in the 1960s, the forced retention of the Palace Hotel in the 1980s and the saving of Council House in 1993 — that much of what we have remains.”

In partnership with the State Library of WA, the Museum of Perth has launched its Demolished Icons project to show how Perth might have looked if it had chosen to protect rather than destroy much of the city’s heritage.

A series of images have been prepared, showing demolished buildings in a modern setting.

“Many people will see these demolished buildings and wonder ‘What were they thinking’,” Mr Harley said.

“We will never know the kind of city that we could have created if we’d been a little less eager to put a wrecking ball through some of our greatest architectural achievements.

“The demolition of Colonial Mutual Life building is still one of the worst examples of past decision-making, as is the shameful demolition of the old Esplanade Hotel and AMP Chambers.

“The CML building, a Gothic masterpiece, was knocked over to build a modern building of exactly the same height and shape.”

Mr Harley said it was important to note that most of these buildings were demolished before the State Heritage Act was brought into law in 1999. But he said many historic properties had not been assessed for inclusion in the State Heritage register.

We will never know the kind of city that we could have created if we’d been a little less eager to put a wrecking ball through some of our greatest architectural achievements.

“Just last year, Edith Cowan’s Malcolm Street home was under imminent threat of demolition but was saved through advocacy and public pressure,” he said.

“It reminds us that the work of respecting our history and protecting our heritage is a constant responsibility.

“Perth Technical College, the buildings at Brookfield Place and the Treasury Buildings are great examples of historic buildings being reinvented, developed and made profitable.”

Lost lovelies

Camera Icon The sculpture on the top of the AMP building now lies in a new Perth suburb. Credit: Museum of Perth

AMP Chambers

Corner of St Georges Terrace and William Street.

Built 1915. Demolished 1972.

Six-storey building in the Renaissance Revival architectural style, clad in limestone and an interior finished in WA jarrah. On the roof was a 3.7m bronze statue by renowned sculptor Pietro Porcelli. It was saved and is now in the middle of the lake of the new residential estate Floreat Waters.

Camera Icon Viking House had one of the city’s first automated lifts. Credit: Museum of Perth

Viking House

49 William Street

Built 1912. Demolished 1970

The six-storey Viking House was home of the National Insurance Company. The building’s main entrance and hall had a nautical look with decorative tiles featuring ships. It also had one of the first automatic lifts installed in Perth. Replaced by Central Park tower and AMP building plaza.

Camera Icon The Empire building was owned by a former Premier. Credit: Museum of Perth

Empire Building

Corner of Murray and Barrack streets.

Built 1902. Demolished 1981.

Built by renowned Perth architect Sir John Joseph Talbot Hobbs and owned by prominent Welsh-born mining speculator Alfred Edward Morgans, who was WA’s fourth Premier. It was replaced by a glass, two-storey building 1981 and has recently been converted into a 24-hour gym.

Camera Icon The Colonial was an early Perth high-rise. Credit: Museum of Perth

Colonial Mutual Life Building

St Georges Terrace.

Built 1936. Demolished 1970s.

When the ten-storey CML building was built, it was one of the first high-rise buildings in Perth. It remained the city’s highest for 25 years. It was ornate and unique, with a castle-like roof and external stone panels adorned with gargoyles. It was replaced by an 11-storey building.

Camera Icon The Adelphi was a grand and luxurious construction. Credit: Museum of Perth

Adelphi Hotel

Corner of St Georges Terrace and Mill Street

Built 1935. Demolished 1967.

Built as a hotel for gold miner and Perth hotelier Gordon Dunleavy. Everything was on a grand, luxurious scale. Margaret Pitt Morison, WA’s first female architect, designed the interior. Demolished and replaced by Parmelia House, a 19-storey office building.

Composite images courtesy of Museum of Perth. Original images courtesy of the State Library of WA. More details at demolishedicons.com