$39M arts centre in western suburbs to be approved

Perth Now

06-08-2025

Christ Church Grammar School's revised plans for a lavish three-storey performing arts centre on the banks of the Swan River have received backing from the Town of Claremont.
The new centre, named PERFORM, is expected to cost the school $39.2 million and feature a 470-seat auditorium, a 220-seat black box theatre with retractable seating, an ensemble room, an orchestral rehearsal room and a terrace, all with sweeping river views.
The proposed centre will also have music classrooms, a percussion studio, a green room, a costume design room and a recording studio.
Although the school had previously stated a new performing arts centre would be available for community use outside school hours, the current application indicates its intention that it will not be leased to groups outside the school community. Concept images for the proposed 470-seat auditorium. Credit: Supplied
The development application for the centre will be considered by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel on Thursday, August 14, where the town has recommended it be approved.
In 2022, State planning officials approved a $29 million four-storey 480-seat performing arts centre at a similar location on the school campus, but rising construction costs have since made the design plan 'unfeasible' and it has not proceeded.
Existing buildings — including the school's music classrooms, chaplain's residence, and preparatory school — will be demolished to make way for the new centre, which the school says is required as the current teaching and performance spaces are 'no longer meeting the school's developing curriculum and requirements'.
Although parts of the school are on the Town of Claremont's Heritage List, the buildings proposed for demolition are not heritage-listed. Concept images of the proposed 220-seat Black Box theatre at Christ Church Grammar School. Credit: Supplied
Seven non-heritage listed trees will be chopped down for the centre, while new shrubs, grassed turf and other landscaping elements will be planted.
Established in 1910, Christ Church Grammar School is an elite all-boys Anglican day and boarding school in Claremont, with students from pre-kindergarten to Year 12.
The school has about 1700 students enrolled each year and employs around 200 staff members. The performing arts centre is set to be built on the banks of the Swan River in Claremont. Credit: Supplied
CCGS says this will be the biggest building investment it has ever made and expects it to be the cultural centre of the school, which prides itself on its arts program.
'PERFORM lays a vital foundation for lifelong success by cultivating confidence, communication, critical thinking, and creativity — skills that seamlessly translate from the classroom to the boardroom, the workplace, and every aspect of life,' the school said.
'It is a place dedicated to building the inner man, supporting health and wellbeing, fostering 21st century skills, and providing a home for the Centre for Ethics and the performing arts.'
If approved, the school expects demolition and construction to begin in 2026, with completion scheduled for December 2027.