Global contractor Multiplex has completed the Citiplan 452-bed Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PSBA) project in Melbourne – Journal Campus House – which is the first project of the joint venture (JV) between Brookfield Asset Management and Citiplan. The asset will be managed by Journal Student Living, which is owned by the JV partners.
Prominently located in Carlton opposite the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus, the 15-level development sits on an amalgamated block on the corner of Bouverie and Grattan Streets. It is within walking distance of the CBD, Lygon Street, Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Central, making it a prized location for students.
Designed by award-winning firm Jackson Clement Burrows Architects, the new building has a focus on sustainability and is targeting a 5-Star Green Star rating. It features 365 rooms in a mix of single studio and multi-occupant configurations, delivering a combined total of 452 beds and comprises two retail tenancies on the ground floor.
With a double-height atrium, the building features a range of amenities and communal space. The ground floor level provides students with an open entertainment area, lounge and library while quiet study areas punctuate the first, second and third floors to foster collaboration. Residents will also enjoy a basement-level courtyard, gym, games and music rooms, as well as a kitchen and dining area. Communal terraces on levels 3 and 15 provide connectivity to the outdoors.
“The early delivery of this new student accommodation tower leveraged our credentials in the residential sector, combining them with our specialist expertise in education facilities, heritage assets and prefabricated solutions,” said Ross Snowball, Multiplex Regional Managing Director – Victoria and South Australia.
“It builds upon our strong track record in delivering student housing in Victoria, with projects recently undertaken for both La Trobe and Monash Universities.”
“Journal is looking forward to welcoming students to Journal Campus House in Semester 2 and we congratulate Multiplex on delivering an outstanding asset ahead of schedule” said Ian Davidoff, CEO of Journal Student Living and Director of Citiplan
“Journal Campus House fills a gap in the market for high-quality and well-located student accommodation, which is in high demand given the popularity of Australia as an education hub for international students and local students choosing to study away from home,” said Ruban Kaneshamoorthy, Brookfield Co-Head of Australian Real Estate.
“We see ongoing demand for these sorts of facilities, particularly on the eastern seaboard, which is driving the development of our PBSA portfolio. We look forward to delivering more of these projects with Citiplan and Multiplex over the next 18 months.”
According to Multiplex, some 1,575 worked on site throughout the project timeline, with 50% of the management team women.
“It is excellent to see women representing half of the management roles delivering this outstanding new facility and becoming increasingly involved in the construction sector,” Mr Snowball said.
Construction spanned 19 months and was completed close to three months early. The use of prefabricated solutions, including modular bathroom pods, risers and precast (with brick inlay), demonstrates how efficiencies were created while delivering a high-quality product.
The project also saw the integration of a heritage property at 160-170 Bouverie Street as part of the finished design.
Photography by Tiago