The proposed transformation of the former Perth Girls’ School into Western Australia’s largest build-to-rent development has been given the green light by the DevelopmentWA.
The masterplan for the precinct by MJA Studio and Nic Brunsdon, includes 742 new apartments, 500 of which will follow the build-to-rent housing model. This model is intended to alleviate pressure on private and social rental sectors while providing a viable solution to housing affordability and supply.
This project will be one of the first to benefit from the government’s new 50 percent land tax concessions for new build-to-rent developments – a reform introduced by the WA government in its 2022 budget to remove barriers to investment in the future supply of rental properties.
The redevelopment of the former Perth Girls’ School site designed by MJA Studio and Nic Brunsdon.
Image: Supplied
Aspects of the existing heritage-listed school buildings will be preserved and redeployed as creative mixed-use spaces. Plans also include a supermarket, microbrewery, restaurants and cafes, an art gallery, yoga studio and performance spaces.
Located on the corner of Wellington and Bronte streets, the development has been designed as two sister buildings, using a stepped design to provide residents with views across the city, Swan River and Matagarup Bridge. The precinct will also include the creation of two parks, each connecting to adjacent existing public parks, under the guidance of landscape architects Mala Studio.
WA lands minister John Carey said the revitalization will showcase best-practice urban design, breathing new life into an important heritage site.
“This is a fantastic redevelopment project that preserves some of the great aspects of the historic former girls’ school, while delivering an injection of new social and affordable rentals, and providing a new cultural hub that will attract people from across Perth,” said Minister Carey.
“As part of the state government’s commitment to building more social and affordable housing, my hope is this iconic development will act as a blueprint for industry to deliver more affordable housing through clever and sustainable urban revitalization.”
