Built tops out 30 storey purpose-built student accommodation tower in Perth CBD

Built, alongside Sirona Urban, in partnership with Australian Unity, MaxCap Group, and UniLodge, was proud to celebrate the topping out of the 30-level student accommodation tower in the heart of Perth’s CBD. Construction began on the 736-bed UniLodge Perth Central in late 2023, with practical completion expected in October this year.

Scheduled to welcome students in time for Semester 1, 2026, UniLodge Perth Central will coincide with the opening of the new Edith Cowan University city campus, a cornerstone of the Perth City Deal, further enhancing Perth’s appeal as a destination for education and urban living.

Leading provider of student accommodation in Australia and New Zealand UniLodge will operate the facility, becoming its eighth asset in WA. UniLodge Perth Central will feature a mix of studio and twin share Studio apartments, and three-bedroom, four-bedroom and five-bedroom cluster apartments, and all the creature comforts of modern student living, including communal study hubs, social spaces, a gym and wellness facilities, ground floor café, and a rooftop communal terrace.

The design prioritises social connection and community integration, reflecting the values of all partners involved.

Sirona Urban is serving as joint development manager alongside Australian Unity.

Perth’s housing market faces significant challenges, with demand for rental properties outstripping supply. The 736 dedicated student beds, provided by this PBSA project, will free up other Perth private rental properties for broader use.

Sirona Urban’s managing director, Matthew McNeilly, emphasised the role UniLodge Perth Central will play in addressing housing shortages while aligning with the City of Perth’s ambitions for a more vibrant residential community.

“The WA Government and the City of Perth have sought to attract more city-living residents, and this project is a significant step in that direction,” Mr. McNeilly said.

“The addition of 736 student beds not only contributes to the city’s housing stock but also supports the growing need for specialised student accommodation as we welcome more international and domestic students to our universities.”

This building was designed by Hayball and represents Sirona Urban’s commitment to developments that are people-focused and designed to meet the evolving needs of urban communities.

Australian Unity Social Infrastructure Fund Manager, Joshua Kacimaiwai said the project aligned with Australian Unity’s broader strategy.

“This development combines the respective strengths of a number of different businesses that are working together to bring more quality, purpose-built student accommodation to market at a time when the country is relying on the private sector to bridge the supply and demand gap.”

“As a purpose-built student accommodation development, UniLodge Perth Central advances Australian Unity’s social infrastructure footprint, which also includes seniors living, specialist disability accommodation, childcare, and healthcare infrastructure.

“Assets like this are a vital part of our nation’s social infrastructure mix, they reduce the strain on the private rental market, contribute to the growth of our economy and improve community wellbeing,” Mr Kacimaiwai said.

Speaking at the topping ceremony, Built Director, Jon Stone, said despite the industry still feeling the residual effects of COVID-19, such as supply chain disruption and labour shortages, the project was on track to be delivered ahead of program and on budget thanks to early and transparent collaboration between all project partners.

“Having logged more than 500,000 working hours to date, Built is proud to be working with Sirona Urban and Australian Unity to deliver this critical piece of infrastructure that will not only help contribute new and much needed student accommodation but also be a catalyst for the revitalisation of Perth’s CBD,” said Mr. Stone.

With construction well advanced, the recent activation of Ginza Nana Alley in the adjacent McLean Lane, and students expected to move in at the beginning of 2026, UniLodge Perth Central contributes to the evolution of Perth’s CBD, and underscores the commitment of all partners to creating community-focused developments.