Editor’s picks: our favourite Open House Perth buildings

Open House Perth 2016 will allow locals to feel like tourists, opening the doors of buildings and spaces all around the city.

Now in its fifth year, the event will offer a program of 97 iconic destinations.

This year’s event will take place on 12 and 13 November.

Here’s just a sample of what’s on offer over the second weekend of November:

WEST LEEDERVILLE COTTAGE

Image: Dion Photography

When: Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: 123 Tower Street, West Leederville

This project, designed by Studio Atelier, celebrates the character and charm of an existing 1903 worker’s cottage by contrasting and blending its period features with a contemporary rear addition. Originally a one bedroom home with a sleep out, the completed project has produced a high quality home with four bedroom and two bathrooms.

LONDON HOUSE

Image: London House

When: Saturday, 10am – 2pm
Where: 216 St Georges Terrace, Perth

London House is one of Perth’s premier office buildings and contains a number of interesting features including an award-winning lobby. This incredibly detailed and luxurious space is set behind grand brick piers on St Georges Terrace.

BELL TOWER

Image: Elements Imaging

When: Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Where: Barrack Square/Riverside Drive, Perth

Officially opened in December 2000, the Bell Tower is a purpose built 82.5-metre-high copper and glass campanile designed to house 12 bells donated from St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London, as part of the 1988 national Bicentennial celebrations. The Bell Tower was designed by architect Hames Sharley.

CATHEDRAL SQUARE – ST GEORGE’S CATHEDRAL

Image: mingor.net

When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Where: 38 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Built in 1888, St George’s Cathedral is the principal Anglican church in Perth and the mother-church of the Anglican Diocese of Perth. It was designed by Sydney architect Edmund Blacket and saw extensive renovations from 2005 to 2008.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

Photography by Robert Firth

When: Sunday, 10am – 4pm
Where: 825 Hay Street, Perth

His Majesty's Theatre is an Edwardian Baroque theatre which was constructed from 1902 to 1904 during Perth's gold rush period. At the time the theatre was opened it was the largest in Australia and had seating for over 2,500 people. It is also thought to be the first reinforced concrete building constructed in Perth.

NORTH METROPOLITAN TAFE - GREENSKILLS CENTRE

Image: Central Institute of Technology

When: Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Where: 140 Royal Street, East Perth

Central's GreenSkills Centre is a model of sustainable design and has achieved a 6 star Green Star Rating. Every aspect of the building including its architecture, construction, landscaping, and engineering principles has been designed on sustainability principles, and it is completely self-sufficient in energy and water.

WHIPPER SNAPPER DISTILLERY

Image: Venue Menu

When: Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 4pm
Where: 139 Kensington Street, East Perth

Whipper Snapper Distillery is Perth's first urban whiskey distillery. Their whiskey brings together hundreds of years of distilling experience to bring a taste that has stood the test of time, with great Australian ingredients.

GLOUCESTER PARK

Image: Abbott & Co

When: Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 5pm
Where: 3 Nelson Crescent, East Perth

Gloucester Park, which was built in 1929, is the home of harness racing in Western Australia and is located on the banks of the Swan River in East Perth. The course was officially opened by Perth's Lord Mayor J T Franklin on 15 March 1930.