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A century-old Federation home in West Perth will be demolished to make way for Gina Rinehart’s $250 million Hancock Prospecting headquarters, a decision that has reignited scrutiny of former Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas’ role in denying the property further heritage protection.
The Western Australian Planning Commission unanimously approved the 14-storey business hub on Wednesday morning.
Concept designs of Hancock Prospecting’s $250 million West Perth development.Credit: Hancock Prospecting.
The development will transform the home on Outram Street into a high-end office and wellness precinct featuring landscaped terraces, hospitality spaces and basement parking and a “vertical garden” facade intended to mirror West Perth’s leafy streetscape.
State Development Assessment Unit planner Jacky Jurmann told the committee the proposal exceeded current height limits but was considered “consistent with the emerging planning framework” and aligned with the city’s future density targets.
Element Advisory principal Dan Lees, speaking for Hancock Prospecting, said the team had explored retaining the original Federation home but found it would “compromise the deliberate whole-block outcome” achieved through the new design.
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“This is quite distinctive – dare I say, iconic – architecture that simply wouldn’t have been possible if the (home) remained,” he said.
When questioned about the lack of public residential use, Lees said West Perth’s “mixed-use” zoning referred to the wider area rather than requiring each building to include a mix of functions. He said the “executive suites” in the proposal would be used by visiting staff and clients.
WAPC panel member Megan Adair said she welcomed the design and believed the building’s height and form were appropriate for West Perth.
“I do think that the architecture is very welcome in Perth - it’s nice to see something a bit different that will stand out,” she said.
Panel member Ray Haeron also backed the project, describing it as “a well-resolved design” that would make “a really interesting contribution” to Perth’s evolving skyline.
“When Dan mentioned that this is unique and distinctive, I would agree,” Haeron said.
“If this does work, we’d love to see it translate to other buildings in Perth.”
Zempilas, now the WA Liberal leader, used his casting vote in March 2023 to prevent the traditional home from being added to the City of Perth’s Local Heritage Survey, which would have given it greater safeguards against demolition.
The move followed a tied council debate over whether to recognise the property’s heritage value, after the city’s planning officers identified it as a well-preserved example of early West Perth’s residential architecture, with its original timber porch, doors, fireplace and tiles.
A total of 21 objections had been received, including a letter from planning consultants engaged by Hancock Prospecting.
The leafy concept designs.
At the time, Zempilas told the council “after the objections from those representing the property owners, I’m satisfied that taking them off will not negatively impact the heritage of our city.”
Zempilas later faced questions over whether he should have excused himself from the decision because of his relationship with Rinehart, having hosted her private events as MC and attended others as a guest of honour.
During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Premier Roger Cook said there were “question marks” over how the City of Perth handled the original decision under Zempilas’ leadership.
“I hope we can all have confidence in the decisions that the City of Perth made, although there clearly seems to be some question marks in relation to that decision,” Cook said.
“We want to make sure that we have vibrancy that can develop and grow, but we do need to be respectful of our built heritage and our cultural heritage. I certainly hope, in this case, that all due process was followed.”
Planning Minister Rita Saffioti accused Zempilas of hypocrisy, pointing to his recent opposition to a development project.
“This is a person who now pretends he cares about anything, and when he was mayor, he did whatever he liked,” she told reporters.
Under the conditions of approval, the developer must prepare a detailed archival record of the 1904 house for the Heritage Council before demolition, preserving its history on paper but not in place.
The approval is valid for four years and will lapse if construction does not begin within that period.
A Hancock Prospecting spokesperson said: “We welcome the decision by the WA State Development Assessment Unit to approve the plans for our West Perth property development.”
Zempilas and the City of Perth have been contacted for comment.
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