Four apartment towers containing 447 social and affordable homes have been approved for the Subi East development, marking a significant step toward transforming the former Subiaco Oval precinct.
DevelopmentWA has officially approved a major high-rise development project at 154 Subiaco Road, subject to a series of conditions covering design, sustainability, landscaping, transport, public art, and housing delivery.
The project, developed by Community Housing Limited, will consist of four residential towers ranging from seven to 18 storeys. Located on the fringe of Perth’s CBD, it will be built on land within the DevelopmentWA-led Subi East precinct.
Project Details
The $227 million precinct project is set to accommodate more than 4000 residents across 35 hectares, encompassing the former Subiaco Oval and Princess Margaret Hospital sites, as well as Mueller Park and Bob Hawke College.
According to planning documents, 300 of the total dwellings will be affordable housing units and 147 will be social housing. The mix includes 288 one-bedroom apartments, 96 two-bedroom apartments, and 20 three-bedroom dwellings.
The project continues the site’s long history as public housing. Prior to redevelopment, the land contained 58 social housing dwellings in the form of low-rise apartments and townhouses, which were demolished after residents were relocated between 2019 and 2022.
Parking and Sustainability
A key feature of the proposal is its reduced parking provision of 308 car bays, significantly fewer than standard planning requirements. Planners argue the site’s proximity to public transport means residents will rely less on private vehicles. DevelopmentWA’s approval requires a detailed parking, service, and delivery management plan before building work can commence.
The project will also include three ground-floor commercial tenancies, comprising office and hospitality spaces intended to activate the street frontage and support a growing residential population. Residents will have access to communal facilities, including children’s play areas, barbecue and picnic spaces, landscaped gardens, and shared recreation areas.
Among the approval conditions, the development must achieve a minimum five-star Green Star sustainability rating, provide adaptable housing, incorporate public art valued at about $1.1 million, and undergo further design review to ensure high architectural quality. The development must be substantially commenced within four years.
