Kensington: High-rise student tower proposed for K2K stretch

Despite a drop in international students studying at UNSW due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a developer has lodged its third proposal in the space of a few weeks for a high-rise accommodation tower near the university. SEE THE PLANS.

Artist impression of the proposed building which is part 18-storeys and part 10-storeys and will keep the facade of a historic building.

• First look: High-rise student tower proposed for Kingsford
• Kensington: 18-storey student block proposed

Another 18-storey student accommodation tower has been proposed for Kensington – the third tower of its kind to be lodged near UNSW in recent weeks.

Student accommodation provider Scape Australia has made three separate development applications with Randwick Council in the past seven weeks to house more than 1000 students in high-rise towers.

The three proposed buildings – two of which are in Kensington and one in Kingsford – are close to light rail stops on Anzac Parade and are within walking distance of the university.

The latest proposal was lodged with Randwick Council last week and is the largest of the three developments.

The new tower looking from Anzac Parade.

The new tower looking from Todman Ave.

The huge $93.7 million application is requesting for an 18-storey and part 10-storey building to be erected featuring 564 boarding rooms and a public plaza at the northwest corner of the Anzac Parade and Todman Ave intersection in Kensington, known as 111-125 Anzac Parade and 112 Todman Ave.

Remarkably, if approved, it will be built opposite another proposed 18-storey student accommodation tower at the same intersection in Kensington.

“The proposal will enable the provision of affordable housing to students and key workers, as well as facilitate the revitalisation of the Anzac Parade corridor,” the proposal stated.

The $93.7 million proposal in Kensington.

A controversial rezoning strategy known as the K2K was endorsed by the council in December last year and has opened the doors for Scape Australia to build high-rise student accommodation.

Under the K2K, high-rise buildings can be built up to 18 storeys in pockets of Kensington and Kingsford along Anzac Parade, including on all four corners of the Todman Ave intersection in Kensington.

The K2K rezoning strategy will increase development along the light rail corridor but is yet to get the final tick of approval by the Department of Planning. The Department of Planning will make a final decision this week on whether to approve the K2K rezoning strategy.

Kensington Public School’s P & C criticised Scape’s initial proposal in June to build an 18-storey tower next to the intersection of Todman Ave and Anzac Parade, labelling it “absurd” and a safety hazard for children due to increased traffic and congestion. The school is a stone’s throw away from that intersection.

The site is walking distance from UNSW.

The latest high-rise application lodged last week will feature one level of basement parking, an outdoor cinema on the roof, and the public plaza on the ground floor. A laneway will also be included on the western side of the building to separate it from adjoining properties.

Under the proposal, there will be 37 car parking spaces, 122 motorcycle spaces, 128 bicycle spaces and residents will be encouraged to rely on public transport including the light rail.

The facade at the front of an existing historic building on the corner of the intersection, known as Phillip’s Corner, will be kept and incorporated into the design. Other existing buildings will be demolished.