Minister turns city landmark into 'gold'

12/9/00
With the flick of a switch, Heritage Minister Graham Kierath has turned a 63-year-old city landmark into 'gold'.
The Minister launched the Gledden Building's new look when he re-opened the building after a substantial refurbishment.
Restoration of the building, at the corner of Hay and William streets, was partly funded by the State Government with a $92,000 contribution through its Heritage Grants Program.
As part of the refurbishment, the heritage-listed building has been fitted with yellow lights to make the structure appear golden at night.
At the reopening, Mr Kierath flicked the switch to turn on the lights for the first time.
"It is not every day you get to turn a city landmark into gold; I hope this means I've got the golden touch when it comes to my role as Minister Assisting the Treasurer," Mr Kierath said.
The Gledden Building was built in 1937 for the University of Western Australia on land donated by Mr Robert Gledden.
Mr Gledden was a mining surveyor, property entrepreneur and philanthropist who donated the land on the condition that the revenue raised would be used to provide scholarships and fellowships to students.
Mr Kierath said the refurbishment of the Gledden Building was an example of both the cultural values and economic realities of a heritage building being equally considered.
He said the Gledden Building had been placed on the State Register of Heritage Places and the Register of the National Estate but through clever and sympathetic design had remained a functional office and retail space.
"There are many elements which make a building important to a society. Certainly the cultural contribution the building makes is one component but so too is the economic contribution," Mr Kierath said.
"We should remember that while society has heritage claims on such structures, the owners of these buildings have rights to benefit from their investment.
"The Gledden Building is not a museum piece but a working icon of our city. It is a prime example of how through good intentions and common sense, all interests can be served."

Media contact: Zac Donovan (08) 9213 6400