Citibank House
| Company type | Office building |
|---|---|
| Industry | Commercial real estate |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
| Products | Office space |
Citibank House is an 18-storey office building located in Perth, Western Australia, with a height of . Originally inaugurated in 1962 under the name T & G Building, it held the title of Perth's tallest structure until 1970, when it was overtaken by Hamersley House. The building underwent significant exterior renovations during the 1980s. Following Citibank's establishment as the primary tenant, the building adopted its current name. As of December 2008, it stands as the 26th tallest completed skyscraper in Perth.
Site history and construction
Situated at the intersection of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street, the location initially accommodated inns from the earliest colonial period and later became home to the Weld Club. During the 1897 Western Australian gold rush, the Moir Building was constructed here, designed by Talbot Hobbs and recognized as one of Perth's prominent edifices. This building subsequently served as headquarters for the T & G Mutual Life Assurance Society and was renamed T & G Chambers. Additionally, McNeil Chambers occupied the southern portion of the site.
New T & G Building
Expansion in T & G's operations and a demand for a contemporary high-rise prompted demolition of the original T & G Chambers in early 1960, with excavation for foundations commencing in June that year.
Given a high water table at the site, a raft foundation system was implemented. On 25 September 1960, a continuous pour of thick concrete created this foundation. Following that, a concrete retaining wall was constructed around the basement before steel framing began. Floor slabs were formed by attaching galvanized iron formwork to the steel frame, layering reinforcement mesh, and pouring thick concrete.
At completion, this structure became Perth’s tallest building.
Design
The architectural firm Forbes & Fitzhardinge designed the tower to include a service core on its west side containing four high-speed elevators, utility rooms, restrooms, a tea room, and two emergency staircases. This configuration allowed for approximately of uninterrupted office space per level. The service core extended above the main roofline.
The building’s steel framework was clad with aluminium panels, glass, and precast aggregate concrete elements, supported by 32 steel columns. The ground floor featured black polished granite finishes while Travertine marble adorned the lobby area. External sunshades measuring thick and extending outward helped reduce heat gain during summer months.
At the time, its "fully automatic" elevators were among Australia's most advanced. A steel flagpole equipped with a lightning conductor crowned the northern end of the service tower.
Refurbishment
Constructed without restrictions on plot ratio, the original building achieved approximately a 7:1 ratio. Subsequent regulatory limits imposed a maximum plot ratio of 5:1, which prevented redevelopment with an equally large tower during the 1980s when signs of wear appeared. Therefore, owners chose to undertake comprehensive refurbishment instead.
The caretaker’s flat on the roof was converted into an additional office floor. A new façade enveloped all sides up to the mechanical penthouse’s summit, which had previously risen several storeys above the main roofline. Window shades were enlarged and extended outward on every floor while all glazing was replaced to update and modernize the structure.
References
- ("Progress Bulletin")
External links
- Images of the tower and the former T & G Building from the State Library of Western Australia Pictorial Collection
- Emporis entry for the tower