Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:84a2af5e-d7cf-4ddf-922a-f4d44d6c6caa-2" dir="auto">
<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:5a5ab36c-8dd3-454c-b456-c501f22f0eb4-0" dir="auto">
The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
</section>
</section>

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

Eastern Suburbs buyers snap up ESTE Little Bay apartments

Student accommodation

<html><body>
According to Savills Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/student-accommodation.aspx" target="_blank">Student Accommodation</a>, Conal Newland, the Australian student accommodation market is transitioning, on the back of a significant increase in the development of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) across Australia’s capital cities.  This wave of new accommodation is now reaching completion, with a significant increase in the supply of PBSA throughout the next two years.  In New Zealand, the demand for more institutional PBSA appears relatively strong, but the feasibility of delivering new accommodation is challenging given rental prices which are low but have been increasing and current build costs which are relatively high.
Private sector vs university
The sector is entering a new phase, where there will be more beds owned and operated by the private sector than universities.  The last Australia-wide survey of student accommodation carried out by University Colleges Australia (UCA), in association with (at the time) ACCUHO, as at November 2004, indicated that there were 74,482 beds provided across the country.  Of that, 44,260 places (representing 59 percent) were provided by universities and colleges or located on-campus.  The remaining 30,222 (41 percent) were provided by commercial entities, churches and charitable trusts. 
A number of the private sector consortia that have been active in the Australian student accommodation market must now move from primarily a development phase, into a focus on operations.  Initially, this will be to attract students and stabilise new properties’ occupancy levels.  This change in business mode, to deliver strong asset performance returns, has been coined by certain market participants as the challenge to “put the rubber on the road”.  Operational performance driven by good management is key area of interest for market observers moving into 2018.
Focusing on the main capital cities, Savills 2017 research indicates that 38,960 beds were provided by commercial operators.  In addition, Savills research indicates that 7,793 bedrooms will be delivered in 2018.  From the start of semester two 2018, commercial providers will be operating a total of 46,753 bedrooms across Australia.  This rapid increase in the supply of accommodation is undoubtedly going to cause some challenges and opportunities for operators.  New players entering the market looking to establish brands and stabilise assets, with existing operators protecting market share as new competition arrives. 
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/10/savills3.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/10/savills3.jpg" alt="">
A deeper look into each market
In Sydney, a total of 1,034 bedrooms are due for completion in 2018.  Overall, the PBSA development pipeline remains relatively restricted in Sydney, due to continuing buoyancy in the value of development sites – primarily driven by residential developers in the key locations for student accommodation.  The University of Sydney (and its associated colleges) is also active, with a number of new projects underway.  The uptake for off-campus accommodation in 2018 has been strong, with most high-quality assets now at or near capacity.  
The Melbourne market has also had a robust start to 2018, with strong demand for bed spaces.  Savills research indicates that 1,709 new beds of accommodation are due for completion in 2018.  We see continuing strong demand for this new accommodation, particularly at the lower rental price points.  
Brisbane has a significant amount of new accommodation due for completion in 2018.  Our research indicates that 3,922 bedrooms will be completed.  This represents a 44 percent increase on top of the existing provision of commercial accommodation (8,870 bedrooms).  There is also some indications of lower than expected demand for accommodation priced towards the top of the market, with rental discounts being offered to students, and self-contained studios being reprovisioned to twin rooms with the inclusion of bunk beds.  The new delivery of accommodation at Southbank is creating a student hub, with focused activity and vibrancy in that location.  Continuing opportunities to delivery new accommodation at lower end of the market price point.
Adelaide has also been active, with Savills research indicating that 1,128 bedrooms will be delivered in 2018.  This is off a relatively low base of commercial provision of 3,047 beds.  Demand has been steady for the new well located  accommodation that has recently been completed.
In Perth several new projects have been promoted in the last 12 months and construction is underway on Global Student Accommodation’s (GSA) first scheme in Northbridge which is anticipated to open in 2019.
In New Zealand there has been very limited delivery of new off-campus PBSA in the last two years as build costs have risen to levels that impacts on the financial feasibility of projects.  Levels of demand appear relatively robust in the main cities of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.  The residential rental markets are currently relatively tight with limited vacancies and there has recently been several news articles on rising rental levels.  
Future outlook for student housing
Looking forward to 2019, the pipeline supply for Melbourne and Brisbane remains strong, and Savills will be closely monitoring the uptake of new PBSA within both of these markets.  There appears to be continued excess demand for good quality PBSA in Sydney, with developers and investors focussing hard on new opportunities – Savills predicts that non-CBD locations may become increasingly prevalent for new off-campus residences.
While supply has been increasing across most of the main markets, it is important to note that the existing provision of institutional-quality PBSA in Australia is coming from a historically extremely low base, with supply levels very low by international standards.  The delivery of this new wave of accommodation is benefiting students by giving them access to modern facilities, well located in respect of their place of studies, together with enhanced levels of amenities.  The delivery of new high-quality PBSA has also been identified as a key enabler of the continued performance of Australian universities within the global Higher Education market. 
On campus, there have been several new projects in the past 12 months.  The University of Melbourne entered into an agreement with Lendlease as the master developer and Urbanest as the student accommodation developer for approximately 450 beds of new accommodation within the Carlton Connect mixed-use development.  The University of Tasmania completed an outsourcing of its student accommodation portfolio in Q3 2017.  More recently, James Cook University is delivering approximately 500 new beds of accommodation at its Cairns Campus for the start of 2018.  
Savills is seeing an increasing amount of activity involving universities taking a more commercial focus towards the operation of and investment into the provision of on-campus student accommodation.  Through this process, there will be more opportunity for collaboration between the universities and the experienced student accommodation providers. 
There are also a number of proposed developments in smaller cities and regional areas, as universities in these localities identify the need for provision of quality PBSA to support the wider objectives of the university.  The feasibility of these new regional projects are typically more challenging without the strong back-up of a direct let alternative, so universities are often required to underwrite a certain level of occupancy or revenue.  It is expected that this is a trend which is set to grow in the short to medium terms. 
International students in Australia
From a demand perspective, the latest available student demographic information from the Department of Education and Training (February 2018) indicates that international students studying in Australia increased from 253,757 in 2015 to 278,718 in 2016 representing an annual increase of 9.8 percent.  This has been on the back of strong double-digit growth throughout the past two years.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/4/10/savills2.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/4/10/savills2.jpg" alt="">
The Australian international student market is continuing to be dominated by a large number of students from Southeast Asian countries, with China and India continuing to be the strongest countries of origin. 
As of the start of March 2018, the new 457 Visa regulations have come into force.  There have already been some indications that these visa changes will have material impacts on the Australian University sector.  In the past, certain levels of international students have been attracted to Australia on the basis that they could convert student visas into longer-term visas with the ability to work and remain in Australia.  It is expected that the impact of these visa changes will be reflected in student enrolments in 2019. 
Student accommodation in catch up mode
In summary, Savills sees the Australian student accommodation market in a “catch-up” mode coming from a historically low supply of University and College accommodation, which was primarily on-campus and with a significant amount of catered offerings.  There is a new wave of institutional development – particularly focused off campus – with a large amount of new PBSA being delivered across Australia’s capital cities in 2018 and 2019.  
While Savills considers that there may be some locations with reasonably limited short-term performance rental increases and occupancy levels, the company does not consider that at this stage any of the major Australian markets are reaching a supply saturation point.  There are still numerous opportunities in most markets to meet the growing levels and expectations of student demand.  The critical success factors for the successful delivery of new accommodation will - from a real estate perspective - focus on factors such as the location of the property and a tenancy mix (with corresponding rental price points) to meet the local market.  Competent management will be essential to ensure operational success and will be more important than ever moving forward and supply increases in many Australian markets.
In New Zealand the supply of new PBSA will remain restricted until build costs, or land values in the main cities ease.
Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. Conal Newland is Director of <a href="http://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/student-accommodation.aspx" target="_blank">Student Accommodation</a>. To learn more about Savills, visit <a href="http://www.savills.com.au" target="_blank">savills.com.au</a>.
</body></html>

jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Student accommodation: Now it’s time to put the rubber on the road

<html><body>
UK-based student accommodation provider Scape’s plans for a student accommodation tower fronting Swanston Street on the former Carlton United Brewery site failed to receive the support of City of Melbourne (CoM) at last month's Future Melbourne (Planning) Committee meeting.

This follows the latest design iteration which had an almost identical design expression to Swanston Street, but differed in other aspects including girth. During the redesign the tower has also been reduced by 8 storeys.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/scape_cub_comparison.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Before and after of the two schemes. Images : DCM"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="364" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/scape_cub_comparison.jpg?itok=nAXlh5Wt" title="Before and after of the two schemes. Images : DCM" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Before and after of the two schemes. Images: DCM</figcaption></figure>Chief amongst CoM’s concerns for the Denton Corker Marshall-designed 22-storey tower was lack of a suitable transition between the high-rise built form of the Melbourne CBD and the lower built form of Carlton, in addition to a perceived lack of consideration for the adjacent heritage buildings.

CoM has also expressed concern that Scape’s proposal would negatively impact the public realm and will lead to an unsuitable built form and urban design outcome on Swanston Street, due from its sheer breadth to the street.

The revised design adopts a similar modular, monolithic and monotone aesthetic to Scape’s first Melbourne project on Swanston Street opposite RMIT, whereas the CUB proposal is more of a slab form. CoM’s urban design team recommends a more vertical, granular approach to the arrangement of the massing, in lieu of the current slab configuration, citing Urban Nest’s 599 Swanston Street as an exemplar.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/599-605_swanston.png" rel="gallery-all" title="Urban Nest's 599-605 Swanston Street was cited as a good example by CoM planners. Image : Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="520" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/599-605_swanston.png?itok=dsPqV2jz" title="Urban Nest's 599-605 Swanston Street was cited as a good example by CoM planners. Image : Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>599-605 Swanston Street was cited as a design exemplar. Image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><blockquote>
The massing of the overall form remains challenging in the Swanston Street context, with the appearance of a monolithic, employing coloured finishes and applied sunshading hoods over a broad elevation of some 70m in length (equivalent to 10-11 traditional shop fronts within the retail core).

Whilst the sky garden is a positive inclusion to provide some relief, we require further depth and massing articulation of this surface in lieu of reliance on surface effects. We have a similar critique of the upper component of the form, which appears intentionally flat with flush windows reinforcing the sense of a monolithic block.

Whilst this technique has been deployed in more slender built form by DCM, its application in this broad slab-like form is highly problematic, and lacks any relationship to built form within its surrounding Swanston Street context.

The recently approved and under construction 599 Swanston Street offers a helpful counterpoint, where Hayball and Urban Nest worked closely with CoM to develop a clustered vertical form in order to offset a similar proportioned slab envelope, in conjunction with a tactile, brick base element which responded to the scale of the retained corner heritage form.

We would strongly recommend a more vertical, granular approach to the arrangement of this considerable mass, in lieu of the current slab arrangement.

- City of Melbourne's Urban Design Team via Future (Planning) Committee Report
</blockquote>

Scape has big plans for Melbourne with a further tower – set to be the tallest student accommodation building in the world - on Franklin Street, also currently at planning.

The student accommodation provider also has air rights above the new State Library Station entry on the corner of La Trobe and Swanston Streets, when it is completed in 8 years, after negotiating an outcome with the MMRA to develop an Over Site Development.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/scapes_future_project_pipeline.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Scape's original scheme for 212-222 LaTrobe Street is on the backburner while it's proposal for 97 Franklin Street is awaiting a Ministerial decision. Images : DCM"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="253" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/scapes_future_project_pipeline.jpg?itok=pREV2pm-" title="Scape's original scheme for 212-222 LaTrobe Street is on the backburner while it's proposal for 97 Franklin Street is awaiting a Ministerial decision. Images : DCM" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Scape's failed 212-222 La Trobe Street plus 97 Franklin Street. Images: DCM</figcaption></figure>The Franklin Street proposal also wasn't received favourably by the City of Melbourne, who cited similar concerns over facade articulation and monotony as concerns for the 60-storey tower which was also designed by DCM.

Scape's CUB proposal is set for a VCAT hearing following the Minister's failure to make a decision in the prescribed period.
</body></html>

Laurence Dragomir

No Great (E)Scape for CUB Proposal

<html><body>
Iglu Student Accommodation wants a prime piece of South Yarra's Forrest Hill precinct for their next Melbourne outlet.

Forrest Hill has been dominated by traditional apartment developments in recent years, although the designated urban renewal precinct is beginning to further diversify. Alongside Iglu's intended redevelopment of the land at 6-8 Claremont Street, LK Property Group are looking to add a 294 suite hotel further north along Claremont Street.

Iglu's South Yarra footprint would be the first dedicated student accommodation building in the area, although both Ozihouse South Yarra and District South Yarra provide limited student accommodation beds within their respective properties.

For site owner Harbour Claremont Pty Ltd, their agreement with Iglu Student Accommodation has seen intentions for the 1,029 square metre plot change. Initially, the developer had sought approval for a Bates Smart-designed tower during 2016, which included 106 apartments, 2,700 square metres of office space and 81 car parks within a 26-storey building.

<h2>6-8 Claremont Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image27_10.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Exterior perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="292" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image27_10.jpg?itok=YLHTbF4q" title="Exterior perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Exterior perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>1,029sqm site currently a three storey commercial building</li>
	<li>Proposed 24 storey tower at 74.4m in height</li>
	<li>488 lodging rooms</li>
	<li>No car parking or retail spaces</li>
	<li>Communal: gym, media &amp; games room, lounge, study spaces, outdoor balcony/verandah</li>
	<li>Shared vehicle and pedestrian thoroughfare included</li>
	<li>Cluster and studio configurations included</li>
	<li>Cost of works: $40 million</li>
</ul>
Now expected as a 24 storey tower, Iglu South Yarra's 488 rooms will be offered for rent on either 6 month or 12 month agreement terms.

In line with all contemporary student accommodation buildings, a bevvy of amenities are included. A gym, media room, lounge areas, games room, computer zone and study spaces are present, as is a first floor balcony/verandah that will bring added vitality to Claremont Street.

Cluster formations are present across levels 2-9 whilst levels 10-17 are dominated by studio apartments. At ground level, the building entry splays into an open plan lobby with a shared thoroughfare to the north of the site.

According to Bates Smart "We aim to maximise the activation of both the street frontage end the laneway. To achieve this we are proposing a linear planter with integrated seating along the northern edge. We are also proposing to incorporate a three-dimensional artwork which will bring colour and life to the space."

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image22_13.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Laneway and common area perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="523" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image22_13.jpg?itok=IkvrOYX8" title="Laneway and common area perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Laneway and common area perspectives. Planning images: Bates Smart</figcaption></figure>Iglu Melbourne City is the provider's first Melbourne project, with Hacer Group advancing the build to structural completion.

Due to open mid 2018, the 594-bed student accommodation building opposite the Queen Victoria market is also a design produced by Bates Smart. A smaller nine storey building fronts 299 Franklin Street with another twenty three storey building at the rear.

Iglu Melbourne City and the South Yarra site which has gone to construction tender are part of the Iglu Australia series, joining two outlets in both Brisbane and Sydney. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/img_3696.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Iglu Melbourne City is structurally complete."><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/img_3696.jpg?itok=ObmdSmnl" title="Iglu Melbourne City is structurally complete." width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Iglu Melbourne City is structurally complete with the tower crane now removed.</figcaption></figure><h2>6-8 Claremont Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: Harbour Claremont Pty Ltd</li>
	<li>Project Architect: Bates Smart Architects</li>
	<li>Town Planning: Contour Consultants</li>
	<li>Waste and Traffic: One Mile Grid</li>
	<li>Environmental Sustainable Design &amp; Services Engineer: ADP Consulting</li>
	<li>Wind Consultant: Windtech</li>
	<li>Project Management: Point Polaris</li>
	<li>Fire Engineering: Olsson Fire &amp; Risk</li>
	<li>Structural Engineering: Webber Design</li>
	<li>BCA: Steve Watson &amp; Partners </li>
</ul>
</body></html>

silvermb

Iglu Student Accommodation heads for South Yarra

<html><body>
Journal Student Living's move on 500 Swanston Street headlines a fresh drive of student accommodation projects looking to call Carlton home.

The $60m build would be Journal's second Melbourne project after 18-32 Leicester Street which is in the hands of Icon Construction. Journal Student Living is backed by South African company Redefine Properties.

500 Swanston Street as the current home of the CFMEU accounts for a 1,388sqm land plot and finds itself in the midst of a handful of student accommodations buildings. METIER3 have designed the newest member of the pack to include 710 student beds across 18 levels.

Spanning 57 metres in height, the development will also include heavily activated lower levels and roughly 1,700 square metres of student communal space.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image43_7.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Three distinct volumes constitute the new 500 Swanston Street. Planning image: METIER3"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="439" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image43_7.jpg?itok=4vQhi4g0" title="Three distinct volumes constitute the new 500 Swanston Street. Planning image: METIER3" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Three distinct volumes constitute the new 500 Swanston Street. Planning image: METIER3</figcaption></figure>METIER's first student accommodation design enters the Apartments.com.au Project Database just as Urbanest has been confirmed for the Carlton Connect Initiative, which will account for the former Royal Women's Hospital further north along Swanston Street.

Aside from University of Melbourne's new School of Engineering, office space and a mass of retail space, the project jointly designed by Hayball and Woods Bagot will also take on 528 student beds across 274 rooms. Urbanest will manage the new wing of the development which spans 15 levels.

The project at 700 Swanston Street adds to Urbanest's two existing campuses and two further campuses in development.

Reports on 700 Swanston Street were handed down last night; the expected outcome being City of Melbourne's support final for the project.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image42_4.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Urbanest's latest located at the Carlton Connect Initiative. Planning image: Hayball/Woods Bagot"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="481" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image42_4.jpg?itok=e9MBKrdi" title="Urbanest's latest located at the Carlton Connect Initiative. Planning image: Hayball/Woods Bagot" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Urbanest's latest located at the Carlton Connect Initiative. Planning image: Hayball/Woods Bagot</figcaption></figure>Also on the City of Melbourne's agenda last night was Cedar Pacific's bid to transform Carlton's 123-135 Bouverie Street into one of the city's larger student accommodation projects.

The nettletontribe-designed project has gone through design alterations, which includes an increased setback above the onsite heritage building, a reduce the number of student rooms to 579 and an increase in communal space as a result of internal rearrangements. 123-135 Bouverie Street too has been recommended for approval, subject to conditions. 

There are currently a dozen student accommodation projects within Carlton under development.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image44_3.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Bouverie Street's likely addition. Planning image: nettletontribe"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="337" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image44_3.jpg?itok=OFqXIoev" title="Bouverie Street's likely addition. Planning image: nettletontribe" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Bouverie Street's likely addition. Planning image: nettletontribe</figcaption></figure>
</body></html>

Carlton's magnetic appeal for student accommodation strengthens

<html><body>
The pipeline for delivery of new student accommodation in Melbourne has increased quite significantly in the last 12 months, according to Savills.
According to a recent research report, in 2016 there was a total pipeline of 9,651 beds, which has increased to 16,295 beds in 2017. 
This increase has been driven by two key factors. Firstly, the availability of development sites in proximity to the University of Melbourne’s Parkville Campus and RMIT University have contributed to an increase in the promotion of off-campus projects. Secondly, the University of Melbourne’s 2020 strategy to increase the pipeline of student accommodation bedrooms to 6,000. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/11/21/MelbourneStudents.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/11/21/MelbourneStudents.png" alt="">
“Our analysis of the pipeline supply indicates that 3,958 bedrooms are programmed for delivery in 2018. In 2019,” according to Savills’ recent Student Accommodation Report. 
 <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/11/21/GreaterMelStudent.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/11/21/GreaterMelStudent.png" alt="">
3,771 beds have development approval or are under construction, therefore combined with more speculative developments there is a total of 6,341 bedrooms that may be delivered in 2019. 
If all of the accommodation within the supply pipeline is delivered, the existing provision of circa 7.2% (based on 2015 student numbers) may increase towards 9.1% in 2020 and 11.6% in 2025. 
Analysis of the development pipeline indicates that over 50% of the proposed new developments will comprise self- contained studios. The balance of the pipeline is distributed between shared apartments, and circa 10% which is dormitory styled influenced by the universities. 
</body></html>

jonathanchancellor-7SQnKwU6yx

Melbourne's student accommodation pipeline rose sharply in 2017: Savills

<html><body>
As expected GreenFort Capital is in the process of creating one of Melbourne's largest student accommodation projects at 478-488 Elizabeth Street.

It was <a href="http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/development/greenfort-capital-snaps-up-melbourne-highrise-site-for-35m-20170913-gygn25">revealed during September</a> that the alternative real estate investment outfit secured the site at the top end of Elizabeth Street for $35 million. GreenFort Capital is headed by Adam Vaggelas who was previously with Blue Sky, with that operator rolling out three separate projects in Melbourne under the Atira Sudent Accommodation banner.

GreenFort Capital's Elizabeth Street project is their first in Melbourne, and has the financial backing of Goldman Sachs.

New plans for the 1,172sqm site at 478-488 Elizabeth Street sees a new 52 level tower on the cards, incorporating 864 student beds. This figure is broken down into ensuite studios (59%), twins (7%), ensuited 5 bedroom clusters (23%), ensuited 7 bedroom clusters (3%), 2 bedroom cluster with shared bathroom (5%) and DDA bedrooms (3%).

According to documents the development will include a minimum of 26 accessible rooms to cater for people with disabilities. 

Holding a build value close to $100 million, 478-488 Elizabeth Street also includes 180 bicycle bays, common areas and retail tenancies at street level. The tower's facade will be a mix of curtain wall glazing, precast concrete and screens, with all habitable areas having access to openable windows.

Slated for a 5 Star Green Star Rating, 478-488 Elizabeth Street's reworked purpose is based upon the following design principles:

<ul>
<li> Co-located community meeting places &amp; terraces</li>
	<li>Public realm primacy and eligibility</li>
	<li>Civic scale and detailed streetscapes and interfaces</li>
	<li>Reinforcing the Local, Social, Natural and Built Context</li>
	<li>Memory, material response and identity</li>
	<li>Resilience and Sustainability</li>
</ul>
<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image28_2_0.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="The original tower proposed onsite. Image: Elenberg Fraser"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="815" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image28_2_0.jpg?itok=5k3PN9Ff" title="The original tower proposed onsite. Image: Elenberg Fraser" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>The original tower proposed onsite. Image: Elenberg Fraser</figcaption></figure>A 52 level student accommodation outcome is a far cry from the tower's original form. 68 levels onsite was expected at the project's first run at planning, resulting in a tower of 208.4 metres in height containing 383 apartments plus 198 hotel suites over lower levels.

Lodged during mid 2015 prior to amended planning rules being implemented, 478-488 Elizabeth Street slots in between two of Melbourne's tallest residential buildings, namely Vision Tower and Victoria One. Elenberg Fraser was the architect of choice prior to GreenFort Capital assuming control of the site.

Construction is likely to begin next year given construction tenders have come to a close for the development.
</body></html>

488 Elizabeth Street turns to student accommodation

<html><body>
GUEST OBSERVER
In the first seven months of this year, a staggering 685,000 international students came to Australia to study. About half headed to university to study for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, most often following on from an intensive English-language course. That’s 82,000 more students than the same time last year – a 15% increase. In stock market parlance, that’s a bull market.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently calculated the economic impact of this influx of students was A$28bn in 2016-17. This was a A$4.4bn boost on its earlier estimation, thanks to a change in methodology that included interviews with departing students in airport lounges which better captured their spending patterns and visits from family and friends.
Enrolments are concentrated in big cities
Australia should be justifiably proud of the fact it is the third largest destination for international students after the US and Britain. It has by far the largest proportion of overseas students enrolled in its universities – nearly 20%. That’s an average of one in five enrolments.
However, enrolment patterns are not evenly spread. While it’s boom time for the small numbers of public universities and private colleges able to capitalise on the incoming tide of newly middle-class students from China and India, others struggle to keep their heads above water.
Federal government data neatly paints the picture: in 2015, the Ballarat-based Federation University had the highest proportion of international student enrolments, sitting at 42.5%. However, almost all of them study in high-rise glass campuses in the Melbourne CBD. There were another six universities with international enrolments exceeding 25%. All were in inner city Melbourne and Sydney. Only 10% of inbound students go to regional areas, while Sydney and Melbourne between them attract 65% of all international students.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/11/10/qe1.jpg" alt="">
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/11/10/qe2.jpg" alt="">
Earlier this year, the Committee for Perth published a report bemoaning the fact that Western Australia was failing to capitalise on the boom, and had even witnessed a decline in enrolments over the past 15 years. To compound matters, half of all WA’s international students were enrolled in offshore campuses, particularly those in Malaysia, Dubai and Singapore run by Curtin University.
But why? Surely WA has time zone, cost and lifestyle advantages compared to other states. Reasons for a lack of interest in studying in WA are unclear. Chinese students are particularly disinterested in Perth and surrounds. They may make up one third of all the students heading into Australia for study purposes, but the Chinese account for a relatively low 13.8% of WA’s international student cohort.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2017/11/10/qe3.jpg" alt="">
Concentration has real impacts on infrastructure and housing
One concern is that the concentration of international students in inner city Sydney and Melbourne is clogging infrastructure, adding to house and rental prices and causing ghettoisation in some residential areas.
To make matters worse, regional universities keen to get their slice of the action have started establishing high-rise glass tower campuses in the inner cities adding to rising pressures.
A recent report from property analytics company CoreLogic found that 65% of Melbourne CBD residents were not Australian citizens. In Sydney’s Haymarket the percentage was 54%, while in Clayton and Carlton in Melbourne the figure hovered around the 50% mark. A total of 17 other suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne, along with a smattering in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra postcodes, all had transient populations in which non-Australians, namely international students, comprised over 35% of the residents.
The question is why. Accommodation in our inner cities is exceptionally expensive even by world standards, giving unscrupulous landlords license to exploit the unaware.
A 2016 University of Technology Sydney report for the City of Sydney agreed. It also pointed to expensive public transport, the fact jobs are hard to come by (and international students are limited to 20 hours a week) and cultural naivety, which leaves many vulnerable to exploitation. There is little, if any, integration with locals. The report cites alcohol abuse, gambling, sexual and mental health issues, which often go unreported, as barriers for well-being.
On the upside, our inner cities are regarded as safe, despite spates of attacks on international students, such as those in Melbourne in 2008-09 and again in 2016.
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/86394/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1">The challenge now is to ensure the boom in student numbers isn’t undermined by bad experiences and lack of capacity. Marketing and messaging is important for attracting international students to Australia, but we need to encourage them to look beyond the two main cities. The glamour of tourism tends to catch politicians’ attention, but international education is largely left to fend for itself, despite the economic flow on impacts. What is needed is a real, coordinated, practical, focused and strategic oversight of this enormously important sector to ensure its reputation and financial health into the future.
Julie Hare, Honorary Senior Fellow, University of Melbourne.
This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-to-make-sure-the-international-student-boom-is-sustainable-86394" target="_blank">original article</a>.
</body></html>

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

We need to make sure the international student boom is sustainable: Julie Hare

<html><body>
Student accommodation provider Urbanest will have another inner-city footprint ready for the 2019 academic year as 122-136 Berkeley Street goes to construction.

The site in question is adjacent to, and opposite GSA Australia's <a href="/new-apartments/205-223-pelham-street-carlton">221 Pelham Street</a> and <a href="/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">684-688 Elizabeth Street</a> projects, bolstering the immediate area's already heavy student accommodation construction activity. Awarded to Icon Construction, 122-136 Berkeley Street is the third current student accommodation project that the builder has on its books.

Spanning roughly 15 months, the build programme will see 139 student rooms built over the 12 level building which has a construction value of $21 million.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image7_15.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Berkeley Street will receive a new addition. Image: Icon Construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="459" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image7_15.jpg?itok=GUgZ0pIT" title="Berkeley Street will receive a new addition. Image: Icon Construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Berkeley Street will receive a new addition. Image: Icon Construction</figcaption></figure>Also included across the site which has a 31 metre frontage to Berekely Street is limited office space, back of house facilities, a gym and common areas on level 12. A rooftop terrace is also included.

Urbanest's advancement of the project follows on promptly from an amendment that went through City of Melbourne's planning channels for the site over recent months. The 575 square metre site was previously <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/business/capital-gain-caydon-beavers-away-on-271-units-for-plastics-site-20150611-ghlgjf">reported</a> as purchased by a China-based consortium during 2015, although the latest planning amendment for Urbanest gained approval during September 2017.

Icon Construction is now charged with both of Urbanest's current projects, with the other located at <a href="/buildings/599-605-swanston-street-carlton">599 Swanston Street</a>. Holding a construction value of $55 million, that Hayball-inspired project is also due to be completed late next year and includes a new 21 storey tower rising behind a partially retained heritage facade, 583 student beds, common areas and retail space fronting Swanston Street. 

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/image9_17.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="18-32 Leicester Street and 599 Swanston Street. Images: Icon Construction"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="231" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/image9_17.jpg?itok=FwPCK0S_" title="18-32 Leicester Street and 599 Swanston Street. Images: Icon Construction" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>18-32 Leicester Street and 599 Swanston Street. Images: Icon Construction</figcaption></figure>The trifecta in Icon Construction's current student accommodation builds is <a href="/new-apartments/journal-16-32-leicester-street-carlton">18-32 Leicester Street</a>.

A build value of $85 million will see the contractor deliver 805 beds. The turn of 2019 will see all three of Icon Construction's builds completed, with the Leicester Street project differing in that it is for internationally-backed accommodation provider GSA Australia.

The increasing number of student accommodation projects calling Carlton home now sees 10 separate developments in the pipeline.

Denton Corker Marshall's <a href="/developments/carlton-vic-3053">557-591 Swanston Street</a> is the largest at 870 beds whilst the most recent addition to the Apartments.com.au Project Database was <a href="/developments/carlton-vic-3053">625-631 Swanston Street</a>. Combining the 10 projects, Carlton could eventually host another approximately 4,300 student beds.
</body></html>

Urbanest's latest project revealed as Icon Construction scores another major build

<html><body>
The University of Melbourne is once more chasing the right to create another significant student housing complex.

Located at 625-631 Swanston Street, the project has been dubbed Lincoln Square South and finds itself in the middle of Melbourne's evolving student precinct centred around Carlton's Swanston Street stretch. Lincoln Square South is the latest development that will help support the 50,000 students that visit the institution's Parkville campus.

Submitted last month, the Hayball-designed 14 level building includes capacity for 656 students.

Carrying a cost of development just shy of $70 million, the project requires demolition of three conjoined sites that house buildings dated from 1922 to 1955. An adjoining historic former warehouse building at 11-13 Lincoln Square will be reworked to become a learning hub.

<h2>625-631 Swanston Street application summary</h2>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/uomswan.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="UoM's new building in context. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="387" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uomswan.jpg?itok=Qla2KML-" title="UoM's new building in context. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>UoM's new building in context. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><ul>
<li>Site area: 2,568sqm</li>
	<li>Proposed: 14 level tower </li>
	<li>656 beds: 161 x studio, 154 x twin studio, 341 x cluster</li>
	<li>2,098sqm of communal area</li>
	<li>430sqm learning hub</li>
	<li>Ground floor retail space: 250sqm</li>
	<li>Provision for 20 vehicles and 172 bicycles</li>
	<li>GFA: 20,756sqm</li>
	<li>Estimated cost of development: $68,262,000</li>
</ul>
<h2>In Hayball's words</h2>

<blockquote>
The vision for the Lincoln Square South project is to establish an new exemplar for managed student accommodation within the City that brings together academic support with residential life. The facility will seek to set a new benchmark for quality accommodation operation, and to provide a unique addition to student accommodation offerings in Melbourne.

The residence will support a contemporary scholarly community, with academic leadership and quality professional support, delivering a new Hall of Residence on the South side of the Parkville campus. Central to the project is the alignment of a new and unique scholarship program with a quality residential experience. The new accommodation will support up to 60 scholarship students.

The architectural form provides a contemporary response to the University tradition of courtyard and cloister with student common spaces and upper level rooms arranged around a landscaped inner court.

The facade composition and materials incorporates a high quality of finishes and detail, reinforcing the emerging street wall civic scale of Swanston Street and which is complementary to the industrial heritage streetscape on Lincoln Square south.
</blockquote>

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/uomswan1.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="625-631 Swanston Street's internal open space. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="641" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uomswan1.jpg?itok=3gDG8iY4" title="625-631 Swanston Street's internal open space. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>625-631 Swanston Street's internal open space. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><h2>Swanston Street's appeal - or lack of</h2>

625-631 Swanston Street's arrival continues to boost the design merits of Swanston Street.

The early 2000s saw a raft of poorly executed student housing projects line the thoroughfare, turning vast stretches of Carlton's Swanston Street into somewhat of a merit free design wasteland, with the Ian Potter Museum of Art being the exception. In recent times though the general quality of projects proposed or delivered in the area has risen markedly.

Piccolo's award-winning Upper House and the RMIT Design Hub began to turn the design tide, with a number of other projects also waiting in the wings.

Should 625-631 Swanston Street gain approval, it would join the Jackson Clements Burrows-designed <a href="/developments/carlton-nsw-2218">558-566 Swanston Street</a> and the at construction <a href="/buildings/599-605-swanston-street-carlton">599-605 Swanston Street</a> in lifting the overall design qualities of the area.

<figure><a class="colorbox colorbox-insert-image" href="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/uomswan2.jpg" rel="gallery-all" title="Swanston Street perspective of the development. Planning image: Hayball"><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="492" src="/sites/urban.melbourne/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/uomswan2.jpg?itok=1RF7WZvm" title="Swanston Street perspective of the development. Planning image: Hayball" width="580"></a>

<figcaption>Swanston Street perspective of the development. Planning image: Hayball</figcaption></figure><h2>625-631 Swanston Street development team</h2>

<ul>
<li>Developer: University of Melbourne</li>
	<li>Architect: Hayball</li>
	<li>Town planning &amp; landscape design: Tract Consultants</li>
	<li>Structural: Webber Design</li>
	<li>Geotechnical: GeoAust</li>
	<li>Services: Lucid Consulting</li>
	<li>Building Surveyor: Mckenzie Group</li>
	<li>Fire Safety: Omnii</li>
	<li>Traffic: Impact</li>
	<li>Facade Engineer: BG&amp;E</li>
	<li>Accessibility: MGAC</li>
	<li>ESD: Wood &amp; Grieve Engineers</li>
	<li>Heritage Consultant: David Bick</li>
	<li>Waste Consultant: Leigh Consulting</li>
	<li>Acoustic: Octave</li>
</ul>
</body></html>

UniMelb adds Swanston Street to their student accommodation portfolio

<html><body>
Sydney is the most attractive Australian market for investment into the student accommodation sector, according to Savills.
The total development pipeline in Sydney for student accommodation has increased to 5,435 beds in 2017 from 3,665 beds in 2016, according to the recent Student Accommodation Market Report from Savills.
The supply and demand imbalance, world class universities and status as a global city are the main factors that are driving student accommodation in the Harbour City. 
However, there are significant barriers to entry, the report notes. 
The value of land associated with competing land uses, primarily residential in CBD fringe locations, continues to be an issue for private sector developers. 
This has led to developers seeking locations outside of the CBD, primarily around transport hubs. The University of Sydney continues to be a significant participant within the Sydney market, with several new developments proposed. 
The most significant purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) completed this year has been Urbanest (picture above), delivering the first stage of their accommodation within the Darling Square precinct comprising 634 beds. 
Their second stage of that project comprising 664 beds is programmed for completion during 2018. This will be the first off-campus fully catered accommodation available to the market. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent1.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent1.png" alt="">
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent2.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2017/10/16/SydStudent2.png" alt="">
Analysis of the development pipeline by room type indicates that approximately 30% of the new accommodation will be provided in the most expensive form of accommodation, which is self-contained studios. 
The remaining accommodation will be provided in shared apartments, with approximately 34% of the pipeline in dormitory style rooms which is primarily influenced by the University developments.
“The affordability of student rents influencing the financial viability of delivering new accommodation will continue to be a critical issue for the Sydney market throughout the next 12 months,” says the report.
“Delivering new student accommodation within mixed use developments, such as Central Park and Darling Harbour will, in our opinion, be the main source of new opportunities in Central Sydney.”
Read the report <a href="https://www.savills.com.au/services-and-sectors/student-accommodation.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.
</body></html>

Student accommodation

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Student accommodation

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News