Main Building, Murray Royal Asylum, Muirhall Road, Perth

The Main Building of the Murray Royal Asylum, located on Muirhall Road in Perth, was designed by William Burn in 1821 and opened in 1827. It was extended by Burn in 1833 and again by Andrew Heiton Junior in 1888. This large, symmetrical, three-storey, T-plan former asylum features a prominent octagonal central tower topped with a cupola. To the rear, there are later L-plan single and two-storey wings added symmetrically, all situated on sloping ground. The building is constructed of coursed sandstone ashlar with contrasting sandstone margins, and it includes band courses, raised cills, and a blocking course.

The main entrance, facing southeast, has an advanced central section with a further advanced Doric porch and advanced end bays. The windows vary in design, including tripartite and wide, segmental-arched windows, and are predominantly multi-pane or plate-glass in timber sash and case, although some are boarded. The roofs are piended and covered with grey slates, featuring some ridge and wallhead stacks.

The interior, as observed in 2014, retains much of its early 19th-century room layout and later 19th-century decoration. A central octagonal hall is supported by slender iron columns and features decorative wrought iron railings on each floor. Rooms are arranged along long spine corridors, with several showcasing significant decorative plasterwork. Notable spaces include a large former ballroom with a stage and fluted timber columns, a library with a decorative plaster ceiling, and other rooms with decorative cornicing and canted corners. Decorative timber fire surrounds, some with overmantels, are present, along with one room featuring integral coloured glass and timber bookcases, and others with integral cupboards. Additionally, there are timber and glass verandahs to the west.