[3] The site of the former Perth Technical School was, in the early years of the Swan River Colony, part of the holding of Henry Willey Reveley.

Its motto Truth, Beauty and Utility, emblazoned above the front entry, expressed the era's high hopes for technical education.

Allen also extended the curriculum to include blacksmithing, carpentry, engine-driving, fitting and turning, plumbing, commercial studies, pharmacy and surveying.

[6] The buildings were designed by the chief architect of the Public Works Department (1905–1917), Hillson Beasley – who also designed the Government House ballroom (1899), Western Australian Parliament House (1900), Claremont Teacher Training College (1902), Perth Modern School (1909–11), Midland Courthouse (1907), Fremantle Post Office (1907) and Fremantle Technical College annexe (1910).

In 1905, The University of Adelaide formally affiliated itself to allow the school's students to sit for undergraduate examinations in mathematics, physics, science, chemistry, geology, mineralogy and botany.

[1]: 36  However, priorities changed in 1939 because of World War II, and the long-sought arrival of federal funding ushered in a new era of building and resources.

Its facilities were increasingly supplemented by other campuses including the former boys' school in James Street, where the college principal's office was located in the 1980s.

Two years later, the site was sold to Kerry Packer and Warren Anderson, who paid $270 million and had grand plans to build on what they called Westralia Square.