Christ Church Grammar School

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Christ Church Grammar School demolished several buildings on its Claremont campus in July 2026 to clear the site for a new performing arts centre known as PERFORM.

 

The demolished buildings included the school’s existing music classrooms, the chaplain’s residence and part of the former Preparatory School. None of the buildings were included on the Town of Claremont’s Heritage List. The work also required the removal of seven trees, with new landscaping proposed as part of the completed project.

 

Previous development application

An earlier PERFORM proposal, approved in November 2022, was a four-storey building estimated to cost $50 million, with a 480-seat auditorium, stage, backstage areas, a foyer overlooking the Swan River and four classrooms. Construction was originally expected to begin in 2025 and finish in 2027 but the design did not proceed after rising construction costs made it unfeasible.

 

Revised development application

A three-storey replacement design was approved in August 2025. It was estimated to cost $39.2 million and included a 470-seat auditorium and a separate 220-seat Black Box Theatre with retractable seating. Christ Church Grammar School later placed the total project cost at approximately $50 million.

 

The revised building was designed by Kerry Hill Architects. It was intended to replace music and performance facilities that the school said no longer met its teaching requirements and to bring music, drama, dance and public speaking into one building.

 

Development approval

The Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel approved the revised application in August 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, with completion planned for December 2027.

The school described PERFORM as the largest single building investment in its history.