Philip Griffiths Architects joined the project in the planning stages to look at its heritage values, aspects requiring conservation, and how to adapt a 100 year old hotel into four luxurious apartments. The design intent was to return the exterior as closely as possible to its 1908 appearance, conserve the main staircase and hall, and create unique, luxuriously appointed, contemporary apartments within the restored building envelope, capitalising on the extraordinary views to the Swan River.

The original plans for the Federation style building were consulted to enhance the architectural character of the four Steves apartments. Over sixty changes have been made to the original building with heritage design details such as window frames, art deco arches and the balcony detailing being stripped out and returned to the original shell. The one hundred year old central staircase and fresco arches remain intact, the building’s integrity is largely unchanged and as such Steves retains all of its revered riverside charm. read more