Redevelopment Plans for WA Girls School Site Get Tick

Plans for a $400-million redevelopment of the former Perth Girls School site into a mixed-use precinct—including Western Australia’s largest single build-to-rent project— have been given the green light. 

The scheme approved by the WA government envisions the creation of a residential, cultural and entertainment destination. 

Led by Perth-based developer Australian Development Capital, it will deliver 742 new apartments, including 242 build-to-sell apartments across two 25-storey towers.  

The remaining 500 apartments will be build-to-rent, delivered in a 15 to 37-storey development. 

The plans include “a significant number” of affordable apartments, as well as 100 social housing apartments and a range of special disability accommodation apartments. 

The state heritage-listed art deco school building will undergo a refurbishment to create more than 1750sq m of mixed-use creative space. 

This follows the successful reactivation of the site in recent years as a cinema and fringe festival performing arts venue. 

It will include a microbrewery, restaurants and cafes, creative industry offices, art gallery and performing spaces. 

Other amenities will include a 2948sq m supermarket, commercial spaces and more than 3400sq m of public open space. 

The 1.8ha site on the corner of Wellington and Bronte streets in East Perth is owned by ADC and the Warburton Group.

▲ Aerial view of the former Perth Girls School site, which has been approved for the development of 742 new apartments across four towers.

The redevelopment plans capitalise on its hilltop position through stepped design to enhance residential viewlines. 

WA Housing and Lands minister John Carey said the project will be one of the first to benefit from the state’s new 50 per cent land tax concession for developments that deliver build-to-rent outcomes.  

“We want to see more build-to-rent in Western Australia,” he said. 

"The introduction of a build-to-rent housing model is a smart way of alleviating pressure on both private and social rental sectors while providing a viable solution to the housing affordability and supply equation. 

"Perth is now starting to embrace build-to-rent living, and this project is the largest of its kind in WA to date, which will be a huge shot in the arm for this sector. 

"Mixing build–to-rent, social housing and affordable housing together in a well-designed, planned way is exactly what’s needed to create lively, sustainable and diverse communities. 

“My hope is this iconic development will act as a blueprint for industry to deliver more affordable housing through clever and sustainable urban revitalisation.” 

ADC director Rod Hamersley said the approval was a significant milestone for the project team, which was recognised for design excellence for the concept during the planning process. 

“We look forward to working through the detailed design phase with our commercial partners to get this significant project construction-ready, which is estimated for late 2023,” he said. 

He said the project design would “celebrate the site’s rich and important Aboriginal and European cultural history and encourage more people, activity and diversity into East Perth”. 

The development is expected to deliver 300 jobs during the construction phase, and 150 jobs onsite jobs upon completion.