Ask a local about Perth, or someone who has been living abroad and recently returned, and they will most likely tell you that Perth is a city on the move. The city they grew up in has grown up, and locals and visitors are reaping the benefits.

WA's capital city Perth has been undergoing a rapid transformation during the last few years, with a flurry of new bars, restaurants, shopping and cultural precincts opening, alongside many major infrastructure projects changing the physical make-up of the city.

Many are saying that Perth is Australia's new 'hot' city, and in the next few years Perth will be home to a brand new billion-dollar waterfront development, underground train line, sports stadium, transformed Perth Airport, a new museum, outdoor community spaces and many more options for retail, and wining and dining.

Several major hotel announcements for Perth have also been made. The Ritz-Carlton will return to Australia for the first time in 10 years, choosing Perth to build a five-star, 204-room hotel at Elizabeth Quay. DoubleTree by Hilton will start work on its proposed Perth hotel in mid-2014, while Aloft Perth Rivervale will be located at the new Riverside precinct, catering to 'next gen' travellers. Then there's the proposed hotel at the Old Treasury Buildings, the Holiday Inn Express Perth, and the Westin Perth – all slated to open between late 2014 and 2018. And in the last two years, Perth has seen the opening of luxury boutique hotel The Terrace (15 rooms); and the five-star Fraser Suites (236 rooms). *more details of hotel developments below

The additional hotel rooms are welcomed in Perth, where in the year ending September 2013, Perth led the country with a hotel occupancy rate of 82.98%.

Outside of the central business district (CBD), many urban villages of Perth and outer areas are also undergoing change.

Northbridge (on the outskirts of the CBD) has undergone an extensive transformation. At its heart is the Perth Cultural Centre (PCC) – a place where the arts, culture, community and knowledge come together. At home in the PCC is the Art Gallery of WA, WA Museum, State Library, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, Blue Room Theatre, the State Theatre Centre (opened in January 2011, and includes the Heath Ledger Theatre), and others.

Thanks to a project by the State's Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority, the PCC has been refreshed and transformed into a dynamic and lively outdoor space. New additions include an Urban Orchard (sustainable vegetable garden beds), a wetland, an outdoor screen, green spaces and free WiFi. During summer, the area hosts events such as the Fringe World Festival and the Perth International Arts Festival, as well as Rooftop Movies (on an unused roof of a multi-storey car-park) and a variety of markets, stalls and food trucks can be found throughout the year.

On the border of the PCC is William Street. Here, unused heritage buildings have been given a new lease on life, and the street is now synonymous with cutting-edge fashion, independent retailers, creative industries and cosy small bars, and it continues to evolve. There is an enthusiasm that exists around the area, with collectives such as On William promoting the street's offerings and hosting a yearly street festival.

Another boost for Northbridge to come within the next year is the transformation of Chinatown, and a new hotel and restaurant development.

Set to be located on William Street, the new hotel and restaurant development will revive a neglected 60-year old heritage-listed building, and make use of a vacant area. It's being developed by Adrian Fini, Nic Trimboli, David Martin, Miles Hull and Howard Cearns – the team behind WA's very successful and iconic Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle.

The 74-bedroom hotel will cater for business and independent travellers and will be built to six storeys with a mezzanine level and roof terrace bar.  The hotel restaurant will adapt the 1950s facade of the heritage-listed building. It's set to open late-2014.

The $2 million revitalisation of Chinatown will see the culturally significant area transformed into an exciting destination for families, locals and visitors, with the creation of a new open space with decking, trees and public art, and an overall beautification of the area.

Northbridge is easily accessible with public transport close by, and it will become even closer to the city when the Perth City Link project is completed. *details below

Just a little further out of the CBD, the urban village's of Leederville, Mount Lawley, North Perth, Maylands, Subiaco, Claremont, Cottesloe and Victoria Park are another part of the 'new' Perth story.  All have had new retail, bars, cafes or restaurants open within the last few years, and have all established distinct communities – many celebrating the area with street festivals. For example, the Beaufort Street Festival in Mount Lawley has become one of Perth's biggest street festivals attracting more than 100,000 people each year.

The port city of Fremantle (or 'Freo' as it's known to locals), a 20 to 30 minute drive, bus, train or ferry ride from the CBD, is also undergoing a significant period of change.

There is unprecedented investment and renewal currently underway in Fremantle, with a combined level of private and public investment in the pipeline totalling almost $1 billion. Among the changes are a $220 million redevelopment project in the Kings Square precinct, which will create a civic, retail, commercial and community hub in the heart of Fremantle.

New precincts have emerged, and an influx of eclectic and creative retail stores, cafés, small bars, restaurants and hotels have opened, and are continuing to open.

The Wray Avenue and South Fremantle precincts are a leisurely stroll south from Fremantle's famous 'cappuccino strip' or there's a free Central Area Transit (CAT) bus. The precincts are abuzz on the weekends, when visitors and locals soak up the laidback atmosphere of Freo, discovering local fashion designers, unique gift and homeware stores, vintage style café's and burger bars, funky small bars and bakeries.

The city centre itself is changing with restaurants such as Bread in Common, Don Tapa (in an old sea container right on Victoria Quay) and The Raw Kitchen bringing a new and vibrant energy to the port city, with the historic National Hotel re-opening after an extensive refurbishment.

Fremantle has also received a hotel boost following the opening of The Hougoumont Hotel, providing an affordable and trendy accommodation option for visitors. In a prime location, the hotel is named after a grand ship that was once part of Fremantle's maritime history.  Sea-containers have been added to the 1840's heritage building, which house the Superior Cabin or State Rooms.

And in 2017, DoubleTree by Hilton Fremantle will open – work is expected to start on the 150-room hotel mid-2014.

One of Perth's major beaches is also set for a revival. Scarborough Beach is located around 14 kilometres from Perth city, and has long been a favourite destination for locals and visitors, though in recent times, there's been a lack of new investment and the area's infrastructure is tired. A $30 million investment has been announced, which will go towards the urban renewal of the area. There are plans to create a vibrant hub of activity with restaurants, cafes, retail and entertainment venues, family-friendly facilities, public art, pop-up spaces and more, as well as a range of daytime and evening events.

One of the first new products of the area has just opened – the Matisse Beach Club. The beachfront venue will hold around 1,200 guests and will include outdoor areas, casual and lounge dining areas, two large bars, cabanas and a wading pool.

There are several accommodation options in the area with the major hotel, Rendezvous Grand Hotel Perth Scarborough, undergoing an extensive multi-million dollar refurbishment. Previously known as Observation City, the 336-room hotel has been given a refresh inside and out, and boasts extensive views out to the Indian Ocean, and along the Perth coast. The hotel was officially re-launched in May.

Accommodation developments

The Ritz-Carlton
Property developer Far East Consortium will bring the Ritz-Carlton hotel to Perth, marking the luxury brand's highly anticipated return to the Australian market for the first time in 10 years. Work on the prestigious five-star, 204-room hotel is scheduled to start in 2015, and it will open in 2018. It will be built at Elizabeth Quay, the State Government's billion dollar waterfront project on Perth's Swan River.
corporate.ritzcarlton.com

Aloft Perth Rivervale
Starwood Hotels will bring its Aloft brand to Perth in 2016 - the brand's debut in Australia. Aloft Perth Rivervale will cater to 'Next Gen' travellers, and will boast 224-loft-like rooms, innovative technology, modern design and a lively social scene. Set to be located in Rivervale, a suburb just east of Perth's CBD, the hotel will be part of a redevelopment project that will transform riverfront land into a commercial and residential precinct.
starwoodhotels.com

Doubletree by Hilton Perth Waterfront and Fremantle
Hilton Worldwide is set to open two hotels in Perth under the Doubletree by Hilton brand. DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront will be located in Perth city, adjoining Barrack Square and fronting the Swan River. The 241-room hotel is anticipated to open in mid-2016, with work expected to commence in mid-2014. DoubleTree by Hilton Fremantle will be located at Point Street, Fremantle central to the port city's 'cappuccino strip'. The 150-room hotel is anticipated to open in 2017.
doubletree3.hilton.com

Westin Hotel Perth
A 350-room, five-star Westin Hotel is expected to open in the Perth CBD in 2017. The hotel will be built by BGC and operated by the Starwood Group. In addition to the hotel, there will be a mixed use and retail development, which will add more than 30,000sqm of office space. It will be the first hotel in Perth to be developed under the State Government's hotel incentives policy.
starwoodhotels.com

New hotel for Northbridge
A 74-room hotel is set to open on William Street, Northbridge, just on the outskirts of the Perth CBD and in the heart of the area's cultural and wining and dining offerings. The development will also include a restaurant, and will revive aneglected 60-year old heritage-listed building, and make use of a vacant area. It's being developed by Adrian Fini, Nic Trimboli, David Martin, Miles Hull and Howard Cearns – the team behind WA's very successful and iconic Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle. The hotel will cater for business and independent travellers, and will be built to six storeys with a mezzanine level and roof terrace bar.  It's set to open late-2014.
mra.wa.gov.au

Holiday Inn Express Perth
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will introduce one of the world's fastest growing hotel brands to Australia, with the signing of the Holiday Inn Express hotel in a prime Perth CBD location. Perth-based developer Sunfire Asset has engaged IHG to manage a new-build 224-room Holiday Inn Express hotel, to be located at 257 Adelaide Terrace, overlooking the Swan River. The new $35 million development will incorporate a 20-floor hotel and a circa 1888 heritage house, with an opening slated for early 2015. It's the first Holiday Inn Express to be built in Australia.
holidayinnexpress.com
ihg.com

Crown Towers
Crown Limited has shown its long term commitment to Perth with its decision to develop a new six star, luxury hotel to be known as Crown Towers Perth. The total investment in the Crown Towers project (inclusive of land) is expected to be $568 million. The new 500 room luxury hotel will add to the suite of hotel accommodation options at the Crown Perth Complex and upon completion it will be the largest hotel in Perth, taking hotel room capacity at Crown Perth to nearly 1,200 rooms. Construction is underway, expected to be completed in 2016.
crownlimited.com

The Hougoumont Hotel Fremantle
The Hougoumont Hotel officially opened in late November 2013, and offers affordable luxury in a prime location on Bannister Street, a short walk to Fremantle's 'cappuccino strip', and other attractions such as galleries, the Fremantle Markets, Fremantle Prison, gourmet dining, Bathers Beach, The Roundhouse and more. Sea-containers have been added to the 1840's heritage building, which house the Superior Cabin or State Rooms. Each room combines luxurious comfort with smart TV's, free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary wine and Hors d'oeuvre's for guests each weekday evening, personalised pillow menus, personal trainer on request, onsite parking and more. The hotel also has conference and meeting facilities.
hougoumonthotel.com  

Four Points by Sheraton Perth
The former Citigate Perth has been converted into Four Points by Sheraton Perth, with a six month, multi-million dollar redevelopment, completed in February 2013. The 278 rooms and suites have undergone a total transformation, while the lobby, restaurant and bar have undergone major works. A new fitness centre is now open, and meeting venues also refreshed.
fourpoints.com/perth

The Terrace Hotel
The Terrace Hotel opened in November 2012, and is located in the heart of Perth's CBD at the west end of St George's Terrace. Set among modern buildings, the heritage-listed St George's House was built in 1892 and has been reborn as the Terrace Hotel with 15 luxurious suites on offer. A restaurant with garden terrace dining, bar, wine cellar and private function room are also onsite. terracehotelperth.com.au

Fraser Suites Perth
Fraser Suites Perth opened in November 2012 and is the first new major five-star accommodation offering in Perth for more than six years. The 236-room gold star apartments are located within the Queens Riverside development on Adelaide Terrace in East Perth. Residents and hotel guests arrive via a dazzling porte cochere on Adelaide Terrace, beneath a sparkling canopy with cascading ponds, vertical gardens and a gallery of public artworks. Inside, Fraser Suites Perth includes an innovative range of room configurations including 'dual key' interconnecting suites that enable a studio apartment and adjoining one bedroom suite to be combined to create a two bedroom, two bathroom suite.
frasershospitality.com

Major projects – completed and underway

 Perth Arena

Perth's new entertainment, music and sporting venue - the Perth Arena – opened in November, 2012. A multipurpose facility with a capacity of 15,500, Perth Arena is also the new home for international tennis tournament, the Hyundai Hopman Cup. The arena has a retractable roof, permanent tennis court surface, 36 corporate suites and was constructed using 6,250 tonnes of Australian steel. Since opening,  the Perth Arena has hosted numerous international touring artists including  Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, and Dolly Parton. Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and Keith Urban are performing at the Arena later this year. The Perth Arena is located between Perth city and Northbridge, within the new Northbridge Link precinct.

pertharena.com.au

Perth Waterfront Development: Elizabeth Quay

Elizabeth Quay is the centrepiece of a bold plan to revitalise central Perth and return the city's focus to the iconic Swan River. Covering nearly 10 hectares of prime riverfront land between Barrack and William streets, the $2.6 billion project will feature a stunning 2.7 hectare inlet surrounded by a split level promenade, new public spaces, shops, cafes, restaurants and exciting entertainment venues. It will also include hotel (The Ritz-Carlton) and short stay accommodation, significant commercial space and new inner city residential options. When completed, Elizabeth Quay will be a place where people gather by the river to work, live and celebrate.

Perth Stadium
The new Perth Stadium will form a permanent centrepiece for the redevelopment of the Burswood Peninsula on the Swan River. It will be one of the major sporting and entertainment venues for Perth and one of the major international sporting venues for Australia. The stadium will have tiered seating and a total capacity of 60,000 seats. The standard of the stadium, including its functionality, services, finishes and fit out will be equivalent to world's best practice.

Perth City Link

Perth City Link will reconnect the CBD with Northbridge for the first time in 100 years, and create a vibrant new mixed-use precinct that will revitalise and dramatically change the face of Perth. It involves sinking the Fremantle rail line from Perth Station to Lake/King streets, undergrounding of the Wellington Street Bus Station and creating five new connections between the CBD and Northbridge. When completed Perth City Link will deliver significant benefits for locals and tourists alike – better access and connectivity; more residential, retail, entertainment and commercial opportunities; and more than four hectares of high quality public spaces.

Kings Square
Situated in the middle of Perth City Link, and opposite the Perth Arena, Kings Square will meld the atmospheres of Lake and King Streets to create the cosmopolitan heart of the city.The new two-way street connection will emphasise the pedestrian-friendly character of the area. East-west lanes and arcades will link to other key destinations. Bars, restaurants and late-closing shops will be scattered throughout, with offices located on the floors above. The first four buildings, among others, will be completed in mid-2015.

Riverside
Located on the banks of the Swan River in East Perth, the 40-hectare Riverside project is transforming the city's eastern gateway. Upon completion, the area will be a cosmopolitan waterfront community and tourist destination with a range of entertainment, commercial, retail, civic and residential uses that take advantage of its unique location. As part of the project, the flagship Waterbank precinct will feature a natural beach area surrounded by public promenades, green open space including a large wetland area, and a direct connection from Hay Street to the Swan River with a new river pier.

New museum for the Perth Cultural Centre
More than $428 million in capital funds has been committed to develop a new museum within the Perth Cultural Centre. With an anticipated delivery date of 2020, the new facility will integrate with the refurbished heritage buildings to display the State collection in contemporary and innovative ways. It will allow the museum to present blockbuster exhibitions from around the world and will be a place where visitors can share, explore and connect with the past, present and future.

For more information about all of the major projects in Perth, visit getthebiggerpicture.wa.gov.au. 

Perth Airport
A $750 million transformation of Perth Airport is well underway and represents the first stage towards having all commercial air services in Perth operating from one convenient location within the next 10 years. Key developments include a new terminal primarily servicing regional WA; transformation of the international arrivals and departure areas; a new domestic pier; and a new multi-storey car park.
perthairport.com.au

The Cathedral + Treasury Precinct
From 2012 to 2015, this historic precinct will undergo a period of significant transformation that will include the restoration of the Old Treasury Building, a new office tower, the new City of Perth Library, construction of the new St George's Chambers, an upgrade to St George's Plaza plus vibrant new commercial and public spaces. Located in the Perth CBD bordered by St Georges Terrace, Barrack Street, Hay Street and Pier Street, the Old Treasury Building is at the heart of the $584 million precinct, and will be transformed into a premier hospitality centre, with restaurants, bars, shops and an exclusive hotel. It's rumoured that the precinct is set to house eight wining and dining venues, including a landmark rooftop restaurant housed in a glass box. It's scheduled for completion in 2015. cathedralandtreasury.com.au

The New York Times raves about Perth

The New York Times listed Perth as number nine on its 52 Places to Go in 2014, and left one of its writers, a New Yorker, 'mesmerized'. The article read:

“The capital of Western Australia, where some 1.8 of the state's two million residents live, left this New Yorker mesmerized: Could a city really be so easy, breezy, green and pristine — so positively livable? I'd thought Williamsburg was hipster heaven; it pales beside Perth.

“Conjure up a city embodying all things right about cities. Assuming you lean toward the progressive, I'll wager your rendering includes the following: multiple parks and waterfronts; spotless subways and free public buses; restaurant menus with organic, locally sourced food and wine; cool bars in heritage buildings; and pop-up everything, from farmers' markets to cinema and yoga.

“Every day of my 13-day stay was sunny, and I mean not-a-cloud-in-the-sky sunny, almost synthetically sunny.”