An overview of Melbourne's hyperactive student accommodation projects
The flow of student accommodation projects into planning across Melbourne's inner suburbs has slowed considerably, allowing for the massive associated spike in construction to take its place in the spotlight.
With the effective completion of Scape Melbourne on Swanston Street and Iglu at 229 Franklin Street, there are still nine separate projects under construction. These nine alone will yield thousands of new beds for tertiary students.
At construction
Latest to construction is Whitley College on Royal Parade. Builder Hacer has commenced early works across the site which will eventually see a new 6 storey building added behind the existing and unique circular brick building, for a total of 367 beds for GSA Australia.
Also in the starting blocks, UniLodge's 411-bed project across 15-27 Wreckyn Street with LU Simon tasked with the build.
Beyond that, the balance of projects are at various stages of construction and are generally confined to Carlton and north Melbourne. The notable exception is 42-50 La Trobe Street which is rapidly reaching its final height of 43 levels as builder Hickory utilises its HBS unitised building method onsite.
One of the tallest student accommodation towers anywhere, the development will see 783 beds built in studio, twin share and cluster formats.
All but complete
Two developments are ready for handover as final touches are being applied.
Scape Melbourne is the operator's first local tower and sees approximately 700 beds all but completed at the hand of contractor Built. The Denton Corker Marshall-designed high-rise is a vanguard project of sorts, ushering in the city's first student housing as skyscraper development.
Iglu Franklin Street is a 594-bed student accommodation building that also resides in the northern reaches of Melbourne's CBD. Builder Hacer carries images of the project's completed internals online, although finishing work is still being carried out.
Developments in waiting
Pending projects are among some of Melbourne's tallest projects inching toward construction. Atira A'Beckett Street, Wee Hur's 183-189 A'Beckett Street and GreenFort Capital's 478-488 Elizabeth Street are among the tallest towers in Melbourne expected to start construction in the short to medium term.
Wee Hur's A'Beckett Street project stands to become Melbourne's tallest approved student housing project; the approved permit allows for a 58 storey tower spanning 178 metres.
Scape's intended tower at 97 Franklin Street was to have been the tallest student accommodation building on the planet at 199 metres, but has been rejected by the State Planning Minister. Whilst that project invariably goes back to the drawing board, Scape can pursue their freshly approved 557-591 Swanston Street; it will yield 870 new student beds.
The balance of projects looking to take their place in the skyline are via established operators. Iglu's South Yarra tower is at construction tender, Melbourne University is backing both the Carlton Connect project and 625-631 Swanston Street whilst UniLodge are looking to make good on another location at 123-135 Bouverie Street.
Not to be left behind is the Graduate Union of the University of Melbourne which is pushing for a new accommodation project at 197-235 Bouverie Street. The design has changed markedly since its initial submission and is now seeking approval for a mid-rise building sporting a new vivid exterior.
