A senior Labor MP has launched a scathing attack on the architecture of the Elizabeth Quay project, saying it lacks class and reflects "trashy boganism".

Shadow Cabinet member and former energy minister Fran Logan made the comments during a speech to State Parliament last night, in which he compared the way the waterfront development was built to "boring" regeneration projects in Subiaco and East Perth.

The $440 million Elizabeth Quay project opened to the public last month, although private developments that are hoped will one day surround the man-made inlet have not yet started.

Labor has long been critical of the project, saying it was a "vanity" development that has contributed to the deterioration of the state's finances.

But Mr Logan stepped up that criticism in his speech on Wednesday night, in which he said the development reflected poorly on Perth.

"It says a lot about the people of Perth, it reflects us and what does it reflect? It reflects trashy boganism," Mr Logan told Parliament.

"There is no architectural merit down there, it has no appeal.

"It reflects badly on Western Australia and it could have been so much more by getting the [Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority] out of it and bringing in decent architects."

But the Government has rejected criticism of the project since it first opened, by saying the public has been voting with its feet, flocking to the inlet in large numbers.

"This is a one-in-100 year change," Premier Colin Barnett said when the development opened.

"The quality of the work is outstanding, the design is great, the public art is fantastic."