This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
PERTH-based developers Oceania Capital Group and Erben Place have won the bid to deliver a mixed-use build-to-rent, hotel and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project within the Perth City Link precinct.
Oceania Capital has been awarded Lots 12 and 18 on Wellington Street. Their proposed mixed-use development is set to reshape the area, featuring a 32-storey build-to-rent residential tower with over 200 apartments. Complementing this will be a 26-storey hotel and short-stay apartment building, making this a major addition to Perth’s accommodation offerings. The plans also include a mix of retail, hospitality, childcare, and recreational facilities on the lower levels.
Meanwhile, Erben Place has secured Lot 19 on Roe Street, near the new Edith Cowan University (ECU) City Campus. Their proposal is for a 19-storey PBSA complex that will provide more than 1,100 student beds.
The Perth City Link project, one of Western Australia’s largest urban regeneration initiatives and is a cornerstone of the Cook Government’s plan to rejuvenate the CBD and strengthen Perth’s position as a vibrant, modern city.
The government said with Perth’s population now surpassing three million, the need for high-quality, well-located housing has never been more pressing. The new build-to-rent residential and student accommodation options will provide greater choice in the market and help ease pressure on Perth’s housing supply.
Premier Roger Cook emphasised the importance of the development in creating a more diverse housing stock that meets the needs of Western Australians.
“This is a significant step forward for the Perth City Link vision to connect the CBD with Northbridge through infill developments, which will ultimately provide a major boost to Perth’s long-term housing supply and diversifying economy,” he said. “These lots are part of our plan to support delivery of more housing that is well-located, affordable, and suits the needs of Western Australians.”
The introduction of these developments aligns with the government’s broader vision of revitalising Perth’s inner-city area, making it a more liveable and attractive place for both locals and visitors. The ECU City campus, which is expected to bring up to 10,000 students to the area each day, will further contribute to the vibrancy of the CBD, offering a steady stream of potential tenants for both residential and student accommodation.
Minister for Lands, John Carey, highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Cook Labor Government to foster economic growth through urban renewal projects.
“Western Australia’s population is now at three million people, and we need to encourage more people to embrace inner-city living, while providing the necessary housing and amenities to facilitate this growth,” he said. “The Cook Labor Government continues to do everything we can to bolster housing supply, create vibrant communities and diversify our economy.”
Alongside the new housing and student accommodation, the broader development plans for Perth City Link include significant investment in retail, entertainment, and cultural infrastructure. This includes the redevelopment of the Perth Cultural Centre, which is expected to attract even more visitors to the city, further boosting the local economy and supporting small businesses.
Other projects approved in the Perth City Link include a commercial office tower by Hong Kong property developer Far East Consortium on Lot 9 and billionaire Kerry Stokes’ $180 million Kings Square 5 office building.
Redevelopment of the Perth City Link has been on the cards for over a decade, hampered by delays and false starts. It was originally to be delivered by Mirvac and Leighton Properties.
In December 2013 Mirvac and Leighton won the bid but Leighton’s parent company Cimic later backed out, leaving Mirvac as the sole developer to develop the eight lots.
Mirvac decided it would not develop the $3 billion precinct on its own and walked away from the development in 2016.
Meanwhile Lot 11, the last remaining site will undergo expression of interest process in the future.
