Construction commences on 609 Wellington Street student accommodation tower
In partnership with Mapletree and the developer Alceon, Rothelowman has designed the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) tower as a vertical community that prioritizes the well-being of its student residents, by incorporating safety, community, and pastoral care into its operating model. The project will also enhance the pedestrian experience along Wellington Street and add to the vibrancy of Perth’s CBD. It integrates seamlessly with Wellington Street and respects the King Street heritage precinct.
Located on the doorstep of the new $853 million Edith Cowan University (ECU) city campus, 609 Wellington Street will deliver much-needed new accommodation whilst activating the CBD and injecting life into local businesses and the wider community. The project comprises 835 beds in 556 rooms which includes a communal zone on every resident level and large communal amenity areas including a rooftop Longhouse with kitchen, lounge and dining area, and The Podium including meeting zones, an outdoor terrace, gym, cinema, flexible activity, and study spaces.
Previously owned by Alceon, the site represents Mapletree’s first entry into Australia’s student housing sector. While Alceon has relinquished ownership of the land, the business will remain involved as the project’s development manager, in collaboration with Corbel Property leveraging its local expertise to oversee it through to delivery.
The official sod-turning ceremony was attended by the Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure, John Carey, and the Attorney General; Minister for Commerce; International and Tertiary Education; Multicultural Interests, Tony Buti. Representatives from key project partners Alceon, Corbel, Icon, UniLodge, and Rothelowman attended the ceremony to mark the project’s groundbreaking.
Rothelowman Principal Kylee Schoonens said: “The design of 609 Wellington Street presented a significant opportunity to positively contribute to the next chapter of student living in Perth. Each residential floor plate has been deliberately designed to promote an inclusive and diverse living environment that is anchored by communal space and student amenity. Crafting the student experience and offering opportunities to create connection and an intimate community is the focus on each residential floor – creating ‘a tribe within the tribe’.”
“The majority of student amenity within The Podium, a triple height communal space at the base of the building, creates an internal street flooded with natural light and landscaping, connecting study, living and socialising areas. It blends the threshold between public and private spaces and creates a vibrant street activation within the urban fabric of Wellington Street,” said Schoonens.
Matt Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Student Housing, Mapletree, said: “Australia’s student housing sector has attracted robust investor interest due to its large student population, limited supply and counter-cyclical features. In particular, Perth remains one of Australia’s most undersupplied CBDs for student accommodation despite being home to many prestigious institutions. Our latest investment reflects the Group’s strategy to leverage our real estate capabilities to deepen focus on student housing as a core sector. We are excited about this scaling opportunity and look forward to delivering a top-tier asset that will greatly appeal to both students and investors.”
Matthew Liston, Executive Director in Alceon’s real estate team said: “We are thrilled to be working with Mapletree and Rothelowman to deliver this premium student housing asset located in the heart of Perth’s CBD. With support from the City of Perth, the Alceon team worked quickly to obtain the development approval for student housing. Our team is pleased to remain engaged as the project’s development manager, drawing on our real estate expertise to help ensure its successful delivery.”
The PBSA tower will be operated by UniLodge, the largest student accommodation provider in Australia, which currently manages 36,000 beds across 105 facilities. National contractor Icon Construction is constructing the project.
