The student living drive churns out an additional tower, but provides no luck for another
Another week and another student accommodation tower enters the Urban.com.au Project Database.
Following on from a string of fresh projects seeking their place in the expanding sector, GSA Australia's intentions for a Queensberry Street plot are the latest to be unveiled. 198-208 Queensberry Street is GSA Australia's third current student housing project, after 205-233 Pelham Street and 684-688 Elizabeth Street.
The work of DKO Architecture, the Queensberry project involves 229 beds within 136 apartments.
On a 546sqm corner plot, the tower spans 14 levels and draws heavily upon two fellow DKO Architecture projects. Above the retained low-rise facade, the glazed section references their Marina Tower project, whilst precast elements closely resemble the pattern across DKO Architecture's Metropolitan design.
198-208 Queensberry Street and 684-688 Elizabeth Street are likely to follow the Pelham Street example by way of being managed by The Student Housing Company.
Conversely, a student tower slated for Caulfield East has come unstuck during planning.
Applicant Derby Road Developments Pty Ltd late last year submitted plans for a substantial 18-storey student accommodation building at 9-13 Derby Road. 158 student units, 15 car parking spaces, 51 bicycle parking spaces, a 150sqm retail premises/shop fronting Derby Road and communal facilities across levels one and five were envisaged.
Earlier this month Glen Eira chose to issue a Notice of Refusal for the tower which falls within the Phoenix Precinct adjoining Monash University.
Issues cited with the proposal include its inability "to respond to the fine grain rhythm and heritage character along Derby Road as the scale and form of the podium and tower are inconsistent with the scale and form of existing buildings in the Derby Road Heritage Overlay Area. The building proposed to be partially demolished is identified as a contributory building in this heritage area. Council discourages the demolition of Contributory buildings in heritage areas."
The student accommodation sector is awash with news as developers and institutional investors seek to meet the shortfall in demand for the housing typology.
Earlier this month Urban.com.au outlined Cedar Pacific's intentions for 123-135 Bouverie Street, which include a further 596 rooms within the Nettleton Tribe-designed tower. In close proximity to 198-208 Queensberry Street, Icon Construction has begun works on Urbanest's 599 Swanston Street.
That project consists of a new 21-storey tower incorporating 583 student beds within a vertically bladed bronze facade.
Also earlier this month Scape Student Living outlined plans for a $300 million 60-storey tower overlooking RMIT University. The proposal includes 740 student beds, 146 city living units and a substantial amount of commercial space within the mixed-use project.
