First look: High-rise student tower proposed for Kingsford
An 18-storey student accommodation tower has been proposed for Kingsford near UNSW. It is the second proposal of its kind to be lodged in the space of a week near the university.
Southern Courier
Don't miss out on the headlines from Southern Courier. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Kensington: 18-storey block planned for student accommodation
- Man charged with drug driving over sailor’s crash death
Despite a downturn in international students studying at UNSW during the COVID-19 pandemic, a developer is charging ahead with bold plans to build high-rise towers in Kingsford and Kensington to house students.
Scape Australia lodged a development application with Randwick Council last Friday for an 18-storey student accommodation tower to be built next to a busy intersection in Kingsford.
The $74.6 million proposal features 399 boarding rooms plus commercial and retail space and is a stone’s throw away from a light rail stop and a short walk to UNSW.
The development site is located next to a bustling intersection where main roads Bunnerong Rd, Anzac Parade and Gardeners Rd meet.
It is the second proposal of its kind to be lodged by student accommodation provider Scape Australia in the space of a week.
The developer has also made a separate application for another 18-storey tower to be built in nearby Kensington, which will also provide student accommodation.
Both sites have been identified as appropriate for high-rise developments under the council’s controversial K2K strategy.
Randwick Council approved the K2K rezoning strategy in December, which allows high-rise buildings to be built up to 18-storeys tall in pockets of Kensington and Kingsford town centres.
The K2K rezoning strategy will increase development along the light rail corridor on Anzac Parade but is yet to get the final tick of approval by the Department of Planning.
Scape Australia owns multiple development sites in the area which are set to benefit from the K2K rezoning.
That reportedly includes three sites on different corners of Todman St and Anzac Parade in Kensington.
“Amendments to the RLEP2012 (under the K2K rezoning strategy) are imminent and anticipated to be finalised in the second half of 2020,” Scape’s latest high-rise proposal stated.
“Scape has extensive experience in the construction and operation of student and key worker accommodation buildings both within Australia, United Kingdom, United States, and Ireland.”
The Kingsford proposal relies heavily on students using public transport, including the light rail, and only features one level of basement parking.
“The building provides 12 carparking spaces, 88 motorcycle spaces and 96 bicycle spaces,” the proposal stated.
The Kingsford building will also feature “key-worker accommodation” according to the development application.
The Kingsford site is located at 391-397 Anzac Parade and 17 Bunnerong Road.