Last night, the Subiaco Library exterior restoration was officially unveiled to the public at a special celebration event.
The event was MC'd by Anthony Hasluck, whose grandfather was Governor General at the time of the library’s opening in 1972, and featured a special documentary that gave a behind-the-scenes look at the restoration project and the library’s storied history.
Guests in attendance included Dennis Silver, the original architect of the library, current library architects Brandon Pratley, Philip Griffiths and Matthew Bonasera, special guests and community members.
The Subiaco Library Exterior Restoration Project, which was first endorsed in May 2022, set out to restore, remediate, and enhance the exterior of the building, which forms part of the City’s Local Heritage Register.
Essential works carried out during the project included addressing structural defects; installing an external lighting display; replacing hard and soft landscaping elements; and other preservation works, such as restoring the building’s exterior walls with white quartz stones.
Mayor David McMullen commended everyone involved in the project.
“The Evelyn H Parker Library is not only a significant piece of heritage, but a hub for our local community.
"As of today, the library has more than 7000 members and more than 26,000 physical items for loan on offer. It's a space for people of all ages. It's also a home for events, clubs and exhibitions.
“This evening’s celebrations are the culmination of a lot of hard work to preserve this iconic Subiaco building for generations to come. Its longevity is ensured; and it will remain a hub now and into the future.”
Visit our Major Projects page to read more about the project.