In a major shift for one of Perth's most prominent heritage sites, developer ADC has lodged a fresh $110 million proposal to transform the old Perth Girls School on Wellington Street into a dedicated student accommodation hub.
A Pragmatic Revision for Current Markets
The new plan, submitted to the City of Perth earlier this month, represents a significant downscaling from a $400 million, four-tower build-to-rent project approved in 2022. Founded by Rod Hamersley and Adam Zorzi, ADC has revised its vision to better suit current economic conditions and Perth's acute need for student housing.
The revised application now features two 25-storey towers providing almost 1,200 student accommodation beds. This pivot away from predominantly build-to-rent comes after high construction costs and a slower-than-expected uptake in that specific market segment.
Breathing New Life into a Heritage Precinct
The project promises a new lease of life for the State heritage-listed site, located at 2 Wellington Street in East Perth, exactly 90 years after construction began on the original school buildings. The site has been used in recent years by Fringe World and a major church group.
Crucially, the plan includes an adaptive reuse of the heritage school buildings, which will be integrated with retail and hospitality offerings. The development aims to create an activated precinct with expansive recreational and landscaped grounds for both students and the public.
Addressing a Critical Housing Shortage
ADC Director Rod Hamersley described the new proposal as a pragmatic and considered evolution of the project. He stated the revision strategically aligns with current market conditions and directly responds to warnings about Perth's under-supplied student accommodation sector.
This move taps into a wave of investment into Perth's student housing market. The issue gained prominence following shocking media reports of international students struggling to find affordable roofs over their heads. The opening of Edith Cowan University's CBD campus has further intensified demand, with the Property Council WA noting about 6,500 beds in the development pipeline last year.
ADC, along with the Warburton Group controlled by Tim Roberts, purchased the 1.8-hectare site from the State Government in 2017. The heritage-listed school, registered in February 1995, is noted for its monumental inter-war stripped classical style, a design more commonly associated with parliamentary buildings than schools, reflecting the government's historic optimism for Perth's future.
The fresh $110 million plan will soon be released for public comment, marking the next chapter for this iconic piece of Perth's architectural and educational history.
