Plans have been revealed for a $55 million 19-storey co-living development in West Perth, which will feature 223 units, communal facilities and an art gallery fronting Hay Street.
The proposed development at 1202 Hay Street will replace a two-storey office building and carpark with two separate buildings designed to provide centrally managed residential accommodation.
Developer Hay Mayfair Pty Ltd lodged the development application with the City of Perth for the mixed-use project, which would include 97sqm of commercial space for an art gallery and events space.
The plans describe the site as an “underutilised” property in the Hay Street west neighbourhood centre, with the development intended to boost the area’s residential population and activity outside traditional office hours.
The proposal includes 122 co-living units in the building that fronts Mayfair Street, and 101 units in the building that will front Hay Street.
The development will also offer studio and loft-style accommodation, including eight accessible units, shared kitchens, dining and lounge areas, co-working spaces, communal outdoor terraces, a gym, sauna and various outdoor communal open spaces.
The planning report said the project would provide a “modern community-focused living solution that responds to the changing social and demographic needs of urban life”.
The co-living units will be fully furnished and include private kitchenettes, bathrooms and built-in storage, with residents also having access to shared facilities throughout the buildings.
The leasing model would offer flexible arrangements for residents, with lease periods of up to three years and options to customise lease terms.
The proposal says the development would appeal to a range of residents, including young professionals, recent graduates, essential workers, people relocating to Perth and international residents.
“Rather than being defined by age or household type, these residents are connected by the opportunity to access high-quality private accommodation alongside shared facilities, social connection and a convenient urban lifestyle,” the report states.
The project, designed by Cameron Chisholm Nicol and plans prepared by SLR Consulting Australia, will feature a four-storey podium along both street frontages, with the building reaching a maximum height of 65.6m or 70.6m including rooftop plant.
The development would also remove an existing crossover to Hay Street, with all vehicle access redirected to Mayfair Street to improve pedestrian safety along Hay Street.
Parking will be on the lower-ground level and will include 14 bays for an electric vehicle car-share scheme and 12 standard resident car bays. Bicycle parking will also be included.
The site is about 1km west of the Perth CBD and within 400m of the City West railway station, and has access to several CAT bus routes.
It is also next to the heritage-listed Ross Memorial Church, which the application says would keep its prominent corner position and relationship with the surrounding network.
However, the heritage impact assessment accompanying the application concluded the proposal would have a “negligible impact” on the adjacent church site.
The application is expected to be decided on by the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel, after the City of Perth provides its own recommendation.