Revitalising Perth’s laneways

Laneways are often forgotten spaces in the city, and through neglect, the small gaps between buildings can become spaces for gritty, unglamorous activities. Many laneways are also in prime locations close to busy streets and shopping or entertainment precincts.

The Forgotten Spaces: Revitalising Perth’s Laneways

Like other cities around the world, the City has recognised the potential to transform its laneways into vibrant, welcoming places. The Forgotten Spaces: Revitalisation of Perth’s Laneways – Episode 2 strategy, adopted by Council in August 2023, sets out a clear plan to bring new life to these underused spaces.

The strategy focuses on enhancing the role laneways play in the city’s economy and daily life, while sustaining and protecting their physical form and functions. Building on earlier work, it reviews all laneways across Central Perth and Northbridge and identifies opportunities for improvements and activation.

“Think big but always remember to make the places where people are to be, small.” – Jan Gehl

A key initiative of the strategy is continuing to upgrade or refresh the public realm in City-owned laneways. Each laneway was assessed for its suitability to change, and priority laneways have been identified for investment.

Wolf Lane

Wolf Lane was identified as a priority laneway for enhancement under the Strategy. Its recent refresh included:

• Additional functional and creative lighting
• Permanent seating and steel planter boxes
• Wider irrigated garden beds, with new trees and shrubs
• Additional 6 murals and new placemaking signage

Completed in July 2025, the refresh demonstrates how targeted improvements can transform an underutilised space into a vibrant city destination. The laneway now offers a diverse mix of activity, greenery, and public art, attracting visitors to the city centre and further strengthening its reputation as one of Perth’s most distinctive laneway experiences.

Learn more about laneway greening

Grand Lane

Grand Lane builds on the success of Wolf Lane, with a strong focus on public art as a catalyst for revitalisation. The project brought together a mix of local and international artists, contributing to a diverse and vibrant creative outcome.

A key feature is the landmark 100-metre mural commission, transforming the laneway into a striking visual corridor and further strengthening the city’s laneway identity and creative character. The combination of large-scale artwork and curated interventions creates a dynamic and immersive experience for visitors.

Completed in June 2025, the Grand Lane refresh reflects the City’s commitment to supporting artists and activating underutilised spaces through bold, place-led design.

Mountain Terrace

The City is now progressing the next priority laneway under the Strategy: Mountain Terrace in Northbridge. The refresh aims to improve safety, amenity and the overall experience for businesses, residents, and visitors. Concept design is still underway and delivery is currently scheduled for 2027.

Key proposals include:

• Improved functional lighting
• Creative lighting
• Additional urban greening
• Murals
• Placemaking signage and wayfinding
• General refresh