Up to seven sites in the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre area could be used for further development, including a hotel, as Rio Tinto eyes a move into the redeveloped space.
Up to seven sites in the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre area could be used for further development, including a hotel, as Rio Tinto eyes a move into the redeveloped space.
A draft improvement scheme over the PCEC has been published for public consultation, with submissions to be considered by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
The state government released concept renders for a redeveloped PCEC, a project in collaboration with the Wyllie Group and Brookfield.
Under the draft scheme, the state government proposed to create up to seven development sites at the Mounts Bay Road precinct.
The proposed sites will accommodate a range of uses including office, residential, hotel, retail and hospitality, the draft scheme reads.
Elizabeth Quay bus station is also slated for an upgrade in the draft scheme.
It comes as multiple industry sources say that Rio Tinto has selected the redeveloped Convention Centre as its preferred site to move to once its lease expires at Central Park in 2030.
The iron ore giant is reportedly looking to consolidate its current spaces at Central Park, Raine Square and Perth Airport, which would equate to up to 60,000 square metres.
Rio Tinto and Brookfield would not comment on the move, directing enquiries to the state government, which leases the asset to Brookfield and Wyllie Group.
A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson told Business News that the government was “undertaking further scoping and costing work on a transformational concept proposal for the redevelopment” of the centre and its surrounds.
“The proposed redevelopment would make the most of the Swan River location to deliver a modern and competitive convention centre as part of an integrated city precinct,” the spokesperson said.
“It includes a range of new public spaces and opportunities for commercial, tourism and hospitality development.
“The project would create a long-term economic boost for Western Australia, unlocking a new pipeline of construction jobs and new local jobs across a diverse range of industries.”
Given office component of the convention centre’s redevelopment would likely hinge on pre-commitment from a major CBD tenant, this would come as welcome news for PCEC’s landlords.
In October last year, Business News revealed that Rio Tinto had narrowed down its search for a new headquarters to two Brookfield assets, the proposed Lot 5 in Elizabeth Quay and the Convention Centre.
This followed news that Rio had decided against moving to Victor Goh’s proposed tower at Lot 4 in Elizabeth Quay.
The multinational fund purchased a half stake in the Convention Centre in 2022, making it a joint venture partner with Wyllie Group.
Cox Architecture, who designed the original PCEC in the 2000s, have been tasked with redesigning the centre.
In October, the state government invested $16.6 million towards the next planning phase, which will cover a scope and cost assessment before agreements are reached.
Upon recommendation by the WAPC, the state's planning minister will decide to approve or refuse the draft improvement scheme.
If approved, the scheme will become the statutory planning instrument for the area, once gazetted and taken effect.
