# Barrack Square > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Barrack_Square > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Barrack_Square.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrack_Square > Source revision: 1334213607 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Public space in Perth, Western Australia}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox urban feature | name = Barrack Square | image_place = Perth (AU), The Bell Tower -- 2019 -- 0320-4.jpg | image_caption = Barrack Square at night with focus on the [bell tower](/source/Swan_Bells) | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 14 | coordinates = {{coord|31|57|32.90|S|115|51|29.33|E|type:landmark_region:AU|name=Barrack Square|display=inline,title}} | location = [Barrack Street](/source/Barrack_Street%2C_Perth), [Perth](/source/Perth) | footnotes = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = State Register of Heritage Places | designation1_offname = | designation1_type = State Registered Place | designation1_criteria = | designation1_date = 15 October 1999 | delisted1_date = | designation1_partof = | designation1_number = {{SRHP|4031}} }} }} '''Barrack Square''' is an open public square on the foreshore of [Perth Water](/source/Perth_Water) on the [Swan River](/source/Swan_River_(Western_Australia)), located at the southern end of [Barrack Street](/source/Barrack_Street%2C_Perth) near the central business district of [Perth](/source/Perth), [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia). Constructed between 1905 and 1907, the square has gone through major redevelopments in the 2010s and 2020s. == Geography == Barrack Square is located along Perth's foreshore where it protrudes into the Perth Water area of the Swan River; the river makes up the square's southern and eastern boundaries. To its east, it is bounded by [Elizabeth Quay](/source/Elizabeth_Quay) and The Towers at Elizabeth Quay, and to the north by [Riverside Drive](/source/Riverside_Drive%2C_Perth).{{Cite web |title=Barrack Square |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/@-31.959074,115.8575722,17.88z?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDExNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw== |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Google Maps |language=en}} Since the development of Elizabeth Quay, Barrack Square became flanked on its right and left sides by several skyscrapers. To its left is the [DoubleTree by Hilton](/source/DoubleTree_by_Hilton) Perth Waterfront hotel, which opened on 15 December 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-15 |title=DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront Debuts |url=https://stories.hilton.com/apac/releases/doubletree-by-hilton-perth-waterfront-debuts |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Stories From Hilton - APAC |language=}}{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2020-12-01 |title=New-build DoubleTree by Hilton Perth opens on the waterfront |url=https://www.spicenews.com.au/hotel-venue-news/new-build-doubletree-by-hilton-perth-opens-on-the-waterfront/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Spice News |language=en-US}} On the other side are The Towers by Elizabeth Quay, which completed construction and opened in 2019.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-23 |title=A look inside Perth’s newest sky-high living |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/elizabeth-quay-new-apartment-towers-perth/6e6e8c02-a3dc-4fcc-987d-a934db1d6a2e |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=www.9news.com.au}} Images of the area around Barrack Square are displayed blow: File:AUS_Perth,_Central_Business_District,_Barrack_Square_008.jpg|The DoubleTree by Hilton hotel File:AUS_Perth,_Central_Business_District,_Barrack_Square_010.jpg|The Towers by Elizabeth Quay with the Bell Tower File:AUS_Perth,_Central_Business_District,_Elizabeth_Quay_056.jpg|Alternative view of The Towers == History == thumb|Map of Barrack Square area before its construction, {{circa|1900}} Since 1845, the area at the end of Barrack Street on the Swan River had been the location of a jetty, providing river transport on the river.{{Cite web |title=Heritage Council of WA - Places Database |url=https://inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au/Public/Inventory/PrintSingleRecord/984be02a-030a-46f7-8275-12c3783adc64 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=inherit.dplh.wa.gov.au}} Barrack Square was subsequently constructed between 1905 and 1907 on land reclaimed from the river.{{Cite web |last=Thai |first=Henry |date=2021-07-01 |title=Perth’s Barrack Square now on State Heritage Register |url=https://thepropertytribune.com.au/media/perths-barrack-square-now-on-state-heritage-register/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=The Property Tribune |language=en-AU}} The square was originally built with its paths being laid out to form a British [Union Jack](/source/Union_Jack), earning its first name as Union Jack Square.{{Cite news |date=2016-09-19 |title=New blooms as Supreme Court Gardens get a makeover |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-19/perth-supreme-court-gardens-get-makeover/7858346 |access-date=2025-01-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Perth, Western Australia: Parks and Gardens |url=https://www.australiaforeveryone.com.au/perth-western-australia-19/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Australia Guide |language=en}} However, the modern square no longer bears its original Union Jack pattern. The square was also called ''Flagstaff Square'' and ''Harper Square''.{{Cite web |title=Views of the river front between Barrack & William Sts [picture] |url=https://catalogue.slwa.wa.gov.au/record=b2111960~S1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930042305/https://catalogue.slwa.wa.gov.au/record=b2111960~S1 |archive-date=2024-09-30 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=Catalogue: State Library of WA & WA Health Libraries Network |series=Collection of pre-Federation views of Western Australia; Western Australia, Government Photographer, Government Photographer collection |publisher=State Library of Western Australia |id=Call numbers: BA1522/42,65; 816B/TB/233-235; 472B/1-3 |agency=Historical Records Rescue Consortium (HRRC) Project}}{{Citation |author1=Rome, E. G |title=Perth looking south from the Town Hall tower, 1907 |date=1906 |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/157611125 |author2=HRRC |accessdate=21 March 2012}}{{Citation |author1=HRRC |title=Tram No 19 stopped near a truck that has lost its load of crates with glass bottles [picture] |url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10724400 |accessdate=22 March 2012}} In the winter of 1926, severe flooding of the Swan River caused Union Jack Square to be submerged under water.{{Cite web |title=Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954) - 29 Jul 1926 - p4 |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/3512521 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Trove |language=en}} Under [Premier](/source/Premier_of_Western_Australia) [Richard Court](/source/Richard_Court), construction on the [Swan Bells](/source/Swan_Bells) began in 1999 as Perth's major project to celebrate the new millennium.{{Cite news |date=2015-12-07 |title=Perth's Bell Tower rings up a controversial 15 years |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-08/perths-bell-tower-rings-up-a-controversial-15-years/7007624 |access-date=2025-01-23 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} The bell tower's construction was controversial, with it being called a waste of money or a monument built by Court to himself. It opened on 10 December 2000. Within the bell tower are twelve bells from [St Martin-in-the-Fields](/source/St_Martin-in-the-Fields), which have existed since before the 14th century before being recast during the reign of Queen [Elizabeth I](/source/Elizabeth_I).{{Cite web |title=History of the Perth Bell Tower and the Swan Bells |url=https://www.thebelltower.com.au/about/history-of-perth-bell-tower/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=The Bell Tower Perth |language=en-US}} ===Redevelopment=== thumb|Barrack Square in 2005 before major redevelopments As part of the 2012 Perth waterfront development and the construction of Elizabeth Quay, the [Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority](/source/Metropolitan_Redevelopment_Authority) began planning and surveying changes to the Barrack Square area.{{cite web |title=Urban renewal and redevelopment – MRA – Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, Perth |url=http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/News/13453/Barrack-Square-transformation-gets-green-light |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413232818/http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/News/13453/Barrack-Square-transformation-gets-green-light |archivedate=13 April 2012 |accessdate=2012-04-15}} As a result of this construction, the 16 businesses operating around Barrack Street began suffering financial issues from a decline in visitors.{{Cite web |last=Sparvell |first=Ray |date=2015-06-10 |title=Transport Minister Dean Nalder runs gauntlet with traders at Barrack Square |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/transport-minister-dean-nalder-runs-gauntlet-with-traders-at-barrack-square-20150609-ghk7dr.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=WAtoday |language=en}} Construction on the Quay severely restricted access to many of them. Because of this, business owners began seeking compensation from the government of [Colin Barnett](/source/Colin_Barnett) with support of the opposition [Labor Party](/source/Western_Australian_Labor_Party). The government had provided these businesses with three months of $45,000 in rent relief, but had did not extend the relief period.{{Cite news |date=2015-06-07 |title=Businesses plead for help as Elizabeth Quay work continues |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-07/barrack-st-jetty-business-owners-losing-money-over-development/6528452 |access-date=2025-01-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} In 2015, they began threatening legal action against the government.{{Cite news |date=2015-08-13 |title=Barrack Square traders threaten legal action over lost income |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-13/barrack-square-traders-threaten-legal-action-over-compensation/6695620 |access-date=2025-01-21 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} In 2022, Barrack Square was awarded the RAIA Civic Design Award for its urban design.{{Cite web |title=Barrack Square Redevelopment and Swan Bells |url=https://www.hamessharley.com.au/project/barrack-square-redevelopment-and-swan-bells/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=www.hamessharley.com.au |language=en}} thumb|Barrack Square as viewed from the Swan River == Landmarks == There exists several sculptures of [black swan](/source/black_swan)s around Barrack Square. Among them are four bronze swan sculptures along Barrack Square road opposite the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, unveiled in 2000.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Four Bronze Swan sculptures |url=https://publicartaroundtheworld.com/public-art-in-australia/public-art-elizabeth-quay/four-bronze-swan-sculptures-perth/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Public Art Around The World |language=en-AU}} As part of millennium celebrations, over 2000 signatures by students from pre-primary to Year 12 across Western Australia were etched into 2375 copper tiles.{{Cite web |title=Elizabeth Quay - Signature Ring |url=https://www.developmentwa.com.au/projects/redevelopment/elizabeth-quay/signature-ring |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=DevelopmentWA - Shaping our State's future |language=en}} The tiles were laid around the Bell Tower until construction on Elizabeth Quay forced them to be destroyed as they could not be removed intact. However, they were photographed and replicated for a new memorial called the ''Signature Ring''. The Signature Ring was unveiled on 19 November 2015.{{Cite web |title=Finding Your Child’s Signature at Elizabeth Quay |url=https://perthmumsgroup.com.au/finding-your-childs-signature-at-elizabeth-quay/signature-ring-barrack-square-im112595/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=perthmumsgroup.com.au}} A [sundial](/source/sundial) memorial dedicated to Dutch explorer [Willem de Vlamingh](/source/Willem_de_Vlamingh), who was an early European explorer of Western Australia, existed at Barrack Square besides the Bell Tower after being dedicated on 15 October 2007.{{Cite web |title=De Vlamingh Memorial Sundial {{!}} Monument Australia |url=https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/landscape/exploration/display/93319-willem-de-vlamingh |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=monumentaustralia.org.au}} Development on Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square, however, forced the memorial to be relocated in 2012. For several years, the memorial existed in storage before the [City of Perth](/source/City_of_Perth) council decided on relocated it near the Narrows Interchange.{{Cite web |last=DACC |date=2024-06-01 |title=De Vlamingh Memorial Sundial: A Historical Tribute Reimagined |url=https://dutchaustralianculturalcentre.com.au/archive/dutch-australian-history/maritime-history/de-vlamingh-memorial-sundial-a-historical-tribute-reimagined/ |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=Dutch Australia Cultural Centre |language=en-US}} Images of the landmarks mentioned above are displayed below: {{Gallery |align=centre |width=180 |height=180 |File:AUS_Perth,_Central_Business_District,_Barrack_Square_011.jpg |The bronze Black Swans |File:AUS_Perth,_Central_Business_District,_Barrack_Square_004.jpg |Signature Ring |File:WTPF_-_samwilson_-_Sundial.jpg |The sundial before its relocation }} ==Usage== The [Swan Bells](/source/Swan_Bells) are located at Barrack Square, along with cafés, restaurants and jetties. There are six jetties{{cite book|title=Greater Perth Street Directory|publisher=Ausway Digital Pty Ltd|edition=2011|page=S8}} (so the area is sometimes referred to as the ''Barrack Street Jetties''), including the [Barrack Street Jetty](/source/Barrack_Street_Jetty) which was formerly used by [Transperth](/source/Transperth) ferries. Commercial companies also use the jetties for trips to [Rottnest Island](/source/Rottnest_Island) and river cruises. The [West Australian Rowing Club](/source/West_Australian_Rowing_Club) has had a presence adjacent to the square since the nineteenth century. ==References== {{Reflist |30em}} ==Further reading== * [http://www.thebelltower.com.au/downloads/History_and_Development_of_the_Swan_River.pdf The History and Development of Barrack Square] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130503155932/http://www.historycouncilwa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Foreshore-treasure-Port-of-Perth1.pdf Foreshore treasure: The potential archaeology of the buried Port of Perth] * [http://heritageperth.com.au/properties/barrack-square/ Barrack Square], Heritage Perth {{Subject bar |auto=y |portal1=Western Australia |portal2=Architecture }} Category:Landmarks in Perth, Western Australia Category:State Register of Heritage Places in the City of Perth Category:Elizabeth Quay Category:Barrack Square, Perth --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Barrack Square](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrack_Square) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrack_Square?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.