Media | The City of Perth Local Development Assessment Panel approves $80m CBD student housing
This article was originally published in businessnews.smedia.com.au written by Nadia Budihardjo.
An assessment panel has greenlit a 33-storey student accommodation development in the Perth CBD with an estimated build cost of $80 million.
The City of Perth Local Development Assessment Panel unanimously approved UniLodge’s 33-storey development plan on 609 Wellington Street, at its meeting today.
Designed by architecture firm Rothelowman, the development comprises 835 beds in 556 rooms and communal amenity areas including a lounge, outdoor terrace, gym, cinema and podcast rooms.
The proposed development has been estimated to cost $80 million, as shown in the city’s DAP report.
The project has been backed by the city’s planning officer, Julia Kingsbury, who said the development would contribute to daytime and nighttime activity in the area.
She said some members of the community had raised concerns on height and potential noise impacts from the student accommodation complex.
“We believe any impacts on the locality and adjoining occupants can be minimised,” Ms Kingsbury said.
Panel members unanimously supported the student accommodation, with DAP presiding member Clayton Higham saying the project would bring in more than just 800 students to the city.
“We’re a capital city and a growing capital city and there is a demand for student accommodation,” DAP member and city councillor Bruce Reynolds said.
“We do want students to get out and about in the city.”
Rothelowman principal Kylee Schoonens said the approval was a monumental step forward in bringing new residents to Perth.
“Not only will the project deliver much-needed new accommodation within the city centre but will also activate the CBD by injecting life into local businesses and the wider community,” she said after the meeting.
“With an understanding of how students want to live and the way they interact with the built environment, Rothelowman have crafted a building with a generous eye for life by focusing on creating community, student wellbeing and being a good neighbour.
“As the largest student accommodation building in Perth approved to date, 609 Wellington Street is an exemplar of this student living model, which we will see more of in the city of Perth in the coming years.”
Hay Street-based firm Corbel Property will also be involved in the student accommodation project, Business News understands.
Corbel Property director Ross Catalano said the project would provide much-needed student accommodation in the CBD, and would be ready to open in a few years’ time.
“The development aligns with the City of Perth’s planning strategy by boosting density, offering diverse housing options, and fostering a vibrant residential community,” he said.
“It will provide 835 new residents to the city, which enhances the daytime, weekend and nighttime economies.
“The project is strategically located 200 metres from Edith Cowan University’s City campus and the development is anticipated to be ready for a semester two 2026 opening, which will see more than 10,000 students and staff on site.”
The development has also been supported by Sneakers and Jeans chief executive Andy Freeman and StudyPerth chief executive Derryn Belford, with both submitting letters of recommendation.
The Wellington Street site houses a carpark formerly used publicly but has been used for construction site storage since 2013, according to the city’s DAP report.
