$240m Redevelopment Proposed For Perth’s St Martins Centre

A development application has officially been lodged for a major $240 million redevelopment of Perth’s St Martins Centre, with plans to transform the ageing CBD complex into a vibrant mixed-use precinct anchored by a 243-key lifestyle hotel.

Designed by global architecture firm Woods Bagot on behalf of owners St Martins Properties, the proposal centres on adaptive reuse rather than wholesale demolition, breathing new life into the 50-year-old site while retaining its heritage character and significantly reducing embodied carbon.

If approved, the transformation would reshape one of Perth’s most recognisable commercial precincts into a connected destination spanning hospitality, retail, wellness and office space all within steps of Elizabeth Quay and the Hay Street Mall.

Developers Have Proposed A $240 Million Redevelopment For St Martins Centre—Here’s What To Expect

The proposal spans three buildings and includes the adaptive reuse of an existing three-storey structure to house dining, retail and wellness offerings. The vision introduces a carefully curated mix of uses designed to revitalise the precinct while strengthening pedestrian connectivity through the CBD.

Anchored by the lifestyle hotel at 44 St Georges Terrace, the redevelopment also includes a landscaped forecourt fronting St Georges Terrace, a Conservatory Restaurant and a new pedestrian laneway—St Martins Lane—that will cut through the site.

The project places significant emphasis on heritage preservation. The McNess Royal Arcade (1897) and Bridal House will be retained and refurbished, with new dining, retail and wellness functions integrated into the historic buildings.

According to Woods Bagot Principal Eva Sue, the approach marks a shift in how urban renewal is being considered in Perth.

"This project represents a fundamental shift in how we think about urban renewal," she says. "We’re taking three commercial buildings that have served Perth for 50 years and recasting them for future generations through a revitalisation strategy that introduces a diversified user experience."

Beyond heritage restoration, sustainability is central to the proposal, with the adaptive reuse strategy aimed at preserving embodied carbon while creating a finer-grain urban fabric that prioritises walkability.

Image credit: Woods Bagot | Supplied

A 243-Key Lifestyle Hotel Will Anchor The Transformation

At the heart of the redevelopment is a 243-key lifestyle hotel at 44 St Georges Terrace, expected to drive activity across the precinct day and night.

Plans include a rooftop pool club overlooking Hay Street Mall, a sky bar repositioned at the building’s crown and multiple hospitality venues throughout the site. Street-level retail will also be upgraded to strengthen the relationship between the development and the surrounding public realm.

Office space will be retained at lower levels, maintaining the commercial function of the site while layering in new hospitality experiences.

Woods Bagot says the hotel will introduce "vertical activation" to the precinct, drawing students, business travellers and locals into the CBD beyond traditional weekday office hours.

The Pedestrian Link Reconnecting St Georges Terrace To Hay Street Mall

A key feature of the proposal is St Martins Lane, a new north–south pedestrian connection designed to improve permeability through the site.

The landscaped St Georges Terrace forecourt will act as a public threshold, flowing through retail and hospitality spaces before connecting directly to Hay Street Mall. The design aims to create a seamless ground plane linking commercial, dining and entertainment uses.

Located within the Perth Free Transit Zone and close to Perth and Elizabeth Quay railway stations, the site already benefits from strong public transport access. The redevelopment would further strengthen connections to nearby landmarks including Elizabeth Quay, Stirling Gardens and the Hay and Murray Street shopping malls.

If approved, the $240 million transformation could mark a significant evolution for Perth’s CBD, shifting St Martins Centre from a traditional commercial complex into a mixed-use urban precinct designed for how the city works, stays and socialises today.

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Main image credit: Woods Bagot | Supplied