Richard Offen – författare

Perth Then and Now accurately matches historic photographs of the city with specially commissioned contemporary views that show how each site looks today. With an Aboriginal history going back over 40,000 years, Perth ranks amongst the oldest places on earth with near continuous human habitation. The modern city came into being in 1829 with the formation of the Swan River Colony. For the first 60 years of its existence, Perth was no more than a small country town which lived on an economic knife-edge between riches and ruin. Then, in the 1890s, commercial quantities of gold were discovered in the North and East of Western Australia. This sparked the first of several mineral booms in the State and resulted in Perth being able to demonstrate its newfound wealth in the form grandiose buildings which transformed the modest town into a fine city.Since the late nineteenth century, a cycle of ‘boom and bust’ has added successive layers of development to the city’s rich tapestry of building styles. As with many cities around the world, Perth witnessed the destruction of many older buildings during the last quarter of the 20th century, but has now learned to respect its heritage, resulting in some spectacular and imaginative adaptive reuses of older buildings.Past and present are laid side by side in this fascinating visual tour around the capital of Western Australia.

Past and present are laid side by side in this fascinating visual tour around the capital of Western Australia. Perth Then and Now pairs stunning photographs from the archives with specially commissioned contemporary shots, viewpoint for viewpoint, so you can see exactly how the city’s most fascinating places have changed.With an Aboriginal history going back over 40,000 years, Perth ranks amongst the oldest places on Earth with near-continuous human habitation. This book tells the fascinating story of Perth as a modern city, tracing the formation of the Swan River Colony in 1829, the gold‑rush booms of the late 19th century, and today’s contemporary skyline, shaped by layers of development and rich heritage.This updated edition reflects recent changes in the city, from the riverfront around Elizabeth Quay and the Horseshoe Bridge to beloved cultural landmarks such as His Majesty’s Theatre and The Melbourne Hotel.Written by renowned Perth historian Richard Offen, this book makes a special gift for proud residents, visitors and anyone who loves urban history.