Mount Lawley is largely characterised by Federation and Colonial style dwellings with isolated examples of English vernacular revival, art-deco and Californian bungalow styles.
The majority of houses are single detached dwellings on large lots. There are also some group and multiple unit developments dispersed throughout the suburb, particularly around Beaufort Street.
Many of the older character homes are of heritage value, and have been renovated and preserved. The majority of homes in Mt Lawley are of brick and tile construction.
Most retail development in Mount Lawley is situated on Beaufort Street, centering on the Walcott Street intersection. There are also several small local shops dispersed throughout the suburb to satisfy local daily needs.
Recreation opportunities are provided by a number of small local parks and Inglewood Oval. Hamer Park offers facilities for lawn bowls and the park adjoining the Memorial Gardens contains tennis courts and another green for lawn bowls. Mount Lawley contains five local open spaces, one community open space and one district open space.
Mount Lawley hosts a wide range of education facilities. The area contains a campus of Edith Cowan University as well as the WA Academy of Performing Arts and the WA Conservatorium of Music. Mount Lawley Senior High School provides public secondary education and Perth College is a private school for girls. Mount Lawley North Metropolitan TAFE is situated immediately south of the boundary of the City of Stirling and St John of God Hospital is located near the Swan River.
Significant landmarks
The Astor Theatre situated on the corner of Beaufort Street and Walcott Street is one of the suburb's significant landmarks. The Astor, built in 1911 and renovated in the popular art-deco style in 1939, is listed both on the City of Stirling Municipal Inventory and the State Register of Heritage Places.
Beaucott Building situated across the street from Astor Theatre was constructed in 1938 and is also listed on the City of Stirling Municipal Inventory. It is an important representative building from the second period of development of Beaufort Street with aesthetic significance and important townscape value.