Barrack Square Redevelopment and Swan Bells

Barrack Square is one of Perth’s premier tourist and community destinations. Linking the city to the Swan River, Barrack Square offers a dramatic setting for the display of the historic bells of St Martin-in-the-fields housed in the Swan Bell Tower. It will shortly become part of the Elizabeth Quay waterfront redevelopment.

The redevelopment project, initiated by the state government, involved the design of the iconic Swan Bells tower and the surrounding public realm with a rich mix of commercial, civic, heritage and transit functions.

The project is located in a complex inner city environment that required extensive stakeholder engagement to ensure an outcome that addressed political aspirations, community inclusion; including public and community art elements, and commercial operational requirements for both ferries and food and beverage operators. Staging and construction were planned to occur in the most cost-effective and least disruptive manner.

Accompanying the iconic bell tower are new boardwalks, two jetty pavilions, a new jetty with improvements, an extension to existing ferry and public boat jetties, landscaping, water features and community and indigenous artwork. Barrack Square was recognised as an outstanding example of urban design and was awarded the RAIA Civic Design Award in 2002.