Concept designs for EQ West, a proposed two-tower mixed-use development on Elizabeth Quay’s Lots 2 and 3 along William Street, were unveiled on 29 September 2016. Architect Kerry Hill won the international design competition behind the plans. The project was forecast to start construction in 2017 and finish by 2019, but those were targets reported in 2016—not confirmation that the work was completed on that schedule.
What the 2016 EQ West designs proposed
PerthNow described the scheme as a $385 million development by AAIG and Fini Group through their joint venture, CA & Associates. The proposal paired residential and short-stay accommodation with a hotel, dining and retail uses.
- About 300 residential apartments and 170 short-stay apartments were included in the announcement-era estimate.
- One tower was reported as 185 metres tall and planned to contain a high-rise public art museum and a viewing area overlooking the Swan River.
- The development was proposed for Elizabeth Quay’s Lots 2 and 3, along William Street.
These were concept-stage plans and figures. They should not be read as a confirmed account of what has been delivered. PerthNow also reported that CA & Associates paid $85 million for the property earlier in 2016.
How the design was selected
The WA Government said the concept plans followed an international design competition won by architect Kerry Hill. Planning Minister Donna Faragher was associated with the announcement. She described Elizabeth Quay as attracting internationally renowned architects, artists, restaurant operators and experienced developers.
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Developer Adrian Fini, quoted by PerthNow in 2016, called the proposed museum and viewing gallery a must-visit attraction. That was a promotional statement, not confirmation that either facility opened.
How the later project listing differs
The City of Perth’s project listing, accessed in 2026, describes EQ West at 2–4 William Street as two towers over a shared podium and plaza. Its listed scope is a 52-storey residential complex with 484 apartments and 190 hotel rooms, plus ground-floor retail and food-and-beverage tenancies and a high-rise public art museum.
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| Source and date | Accommodation and height | Other specified features |
|---|---|---|
| PerthNow, 2016 announcement | About 300 residential apartments and 170 short-stay apartments; one building reported at 185 metres | Hotel, dining and retail; proposed high-rise public art museum and Swan River viewing area |
| City of Perth listing, accessed 2026 | 52-storey residential complex with 484 apartments and 190 hotel rooms | Two towers over a shared podium and plaza; ground-floor retail and food-and-beverage tenancies; high-rise public art museum |
The two descriptions are from different dates and use different categories for accommodation. The later listing does not provide a directly comparable short-stay apartment count, and it does not specify the viewing area. The figures should therefore be kept with their source and date rather than combined or treated as a single finalized unit mix.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about completion and opening
A WA Parliament answer published on 12 May 2026 said: “Works on lots 2 and 3 are substantially near completion and will become operational following finalisation of the hotel component.” It gives no specific opening date. It also does not separately confirm that the proposed public art museum or viewing gallery will open, so their final delivered status remains unclear.
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The 2017 construction start and 2019 completion forecast belonged to the 2016 announcement. The later parliamentary status update indicates that operation was still contingent on finalising the hotel component in May 2026.
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Sources
- PerthNow: “Designs for Elizabeth Quay’s EQ West along William Street revealed” (2016)
- WA Government: Elizabeth Quay designs revealed (29 September 2016)
- City of Perth: EQ West major-project listing
- WA Parliament: answer on works at Lots 2 and 3 (published 12 May 2026)
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