Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
General information
Type	Convention centre
Location	Mounts Bay Road, Perth, Western Australia
Current tenants	Wyllie Group
Construction started	2001
Completed	August 2004
Management	Spotless Group
Technical details
Floor area	16,500 m²
Design and construction
Architect	Cox Architects
Developer	Government of Western Australia
Main contractor	Multiplex

Coordinates: 31°57′25″S 115°51′13″E / 31.95694°S 115.85361°E / -31.95694; 115.85361

The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre is a privately owned convention centre located in Perth, Western Australia.

The centre has a floor space of 16,000 square metres (172,223 sq ft) and can cater for 5,000 delegates. It contains state-of-the-art technical facilities, six exhibition pavilions, a 2,500 seat tiered theatre, banquet/ballrooms and 23 meeting rooms.

Premier Richard Court, announced in November 2000 that a contract had been signed with Multiplex after five months of negotiations. Construction was to commence in June 2001 with a late 2003 completion date.

Built by Multiplex at a cost of A$225 million it was officially opened in August 2004 by Premier Geoff Gallop. Its construction was extremely controversial, owing to an overblown budget and an unprepossessing external appearance. It has been described as a "Soviet-era mausoleum" and a "giant grey cockroach", as well as a white elephant whose financial viability has been questionable. However, it made it possible for Perth to host the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), with heads of state and official delegates of more than 50 member countries.

The Wyllie Group have a 35 year lease on the centre until 2039. It is managed by the Spotless Group, who will be spending $50 million over the 22 years, ensuring Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre remains a major destination for national and international events and provides economic value for Perth and Western Australia.

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