New State Government major office complex named after eminent WA architect

The newest major office complex in the Perth CBD, the impressive 140 William Street building, is to be officially named Gordon Stephenson House.

Finance Minister Simon O'Brien said the naming of the State Government office building in honour of Professor Gordon Stephenson was a fitting tribute to one of Western Australia's most eminent architects and planners.

"Professor Stephenson was a great West Australian who made a profound contribution to the planning and development of the city of Perth," Mr O'Brien said.

"Professor Stephenson came to Perth in 1953 following a commission from the State Government to prepare a plan for the metropolitan region of Perth and Fremantle with J.A. Hepburn.  Their plan was completed in 1955 and provided a blueprint for the planning of Perth and Fremantle for many years."

The office space in Gordon Stephenson House has been leased by the State Government to accommodate about 2,500 public servants from 10 agencies, including the Small Business Development Corporation and the departments of Planning; Transport; Local Government; Regional Development and Lands; Communities; Culture and the Arts; Treasury; and Finance.

The leasing of the building complex is part of the Government Office Accommodation Master Plan which aims to consolidate agencies into a smaller number of Perth CBD buildings and move some agencies away from the central city area to other centres in the greater metropolitan area.
 

The master planning approach to Government office accommodation has the potential to save $20million to $25million per year by 2015.

The Minister will officially dedicate the new building before an audience of invited guests, including the late Professor Stephenson's daughter and grandson.

Minister's office - 9213 6400