UWA’s Albany Hub occupies the Old Post Office, a landmark 19th‑century building distinguished by its Victorian‑era masonry, multilevel form, and prominent clock tower.
The Old Post Office on Stirling Terrace is one of Albany’s most architecturally significant heritage buildings, constructed in two major phases in 1869 and 1895. The original eastern section, designed by James Manning, was built using local brick, granite, and sheoak shingles, with extensive site works including a massive granite retaining wall. The later western extension by George Temple‑Poole continued this material palette while adding refined Victorian detailing and the now‑iconic clock tower, whose spiral staircase is supported in the flying Palladian style.
The building’s architectural character reflects a blend of Victorian civic design and practical adaptation to its steep, harbour‑facing site. Its multilevel form, robust stonework, and tower rising to 84 feet after a 1901 extension make it a dominant element of the Stirling Terrace Precinct, a streetscape recognised for its late Victorian and Federation‑period townscape overlooking Princess Royal Harbour.
It served not only as a post and telegraph office—becoming the base station of the intercolonial telegraph in 1875—but also as a customs house, courthouse, and a venue for community gatherings including meetings, lectures, concerts, and even church services.
After periods of restoration and adaptive reuse, the building was renovated through a partnership between the City of Albany and the University of Western Australia, officially reopening in 2002 as part of the UWA Albany Centre. This transformation preserved its heritage fabric while enabling contemporary academic use, including teaching spaces, offices, and community‑facing university functions.
Today, the UWA Hub at the Old Post Office stands as a striking example of heritage adaptation, where the building’s Victorian architectural features—its stonework, tower, verandas, and historic materials—remain central to its identity, connecting modern university life with Albany’s 19th‑century civic history.
In the basement level, Spectrum Theatre uses the space for small productions. There is an original tunnel which apparently leads up to the old Earl of Spencer. Very dark and historic location- also features in local ghost tours.
The University has several classrooms and a large auditorium, in restored historic condition. Ample parking in the rear lot. This location is at the bottom of the main CBD area and backs onto railway tracks.