The University of Western Australia Nedlands Student Accommodation

The APP Group is the Project Manager and Strategic Advisor for a multidisciplinary project team engaged by The University of Western Australia (UWA) for its Nedlands Student Accommodation project at its Nedlands Campus, 5km south-west of Perth CBD in the City of Perth.  

The 14-level building will accommodate 847 beds across 671 apartments, offering a mix of studio, two-bedroom and four-bedroom layouts. Designed to enrich the student experience, the building will include communal spaces, study areas, recreational facilities, landscaped outdoor spaces and a ground floor café.  

The development responds to the increasing demand for student housing across central Perth, representing a significant investment in the student experience and ensuring UWA remains an attractive choice for domestic and international students. 

The development aligns with UWA’s long-term campus vision, integrating sustainable growth with contemporary student living. Extensive engagement with the community, staff, and students has been a critical aspect of the project. The building is expected to welcome its first students in Semester 1, 2028. 

The APP Group began work with the University in early 2023 to: 

• Explore potential development and delivery models, assessing and identifying the ideal model aligned with the University’s objectives, values and drivers.
• Explore, define, and investigate multiple sites on and adjacent to the Crawley campus that could accommodate new supply, taking into account operational, delivery, planning and stakeholder impacts. 
• Work with Plus Studio and RLB to develop early design concepts and associated costings for shortlisted sites. 
• In partnership with Colliers, conduct detailed market analysis and assess the potential financial impacts of varied development outcomes.  

This process led to broad project parameters being set – including a preferred site, yield, and potential investment envelope. Subsequently, The APP Group expanded its role with the University as Project Manager and ongoing Strategic Advisor to: 

• Refine and affirm the project brief and develop detailed project programming. 
• Brief and procure an expanded project team. 
• In partnership with Plus Studio, drive Concept Design Report development. 
• Undertake further feasibility modelling and Business Case Inputs.
• Undertake an ECI process. 
• In partnership with Plus Studio, drive schematic and detailed design. 
• Manage and drive the planning approval process, with planning approval obtained in February 2025. 
• Final contractor procurement.  

The APP Group will manage the development through to completion, as Project Manager and Superintendent.  

The multidisciplinary team includes The APP Group, Plus Studio, Colliers, RLB, Plan E, Hera Engineering, Arup, and many others.  

Read more about this project: https://www.uwa.edu.au/about/locations/campus-management/campus-development/uwa-nedlands-student-accommodation  

Render courtesy: Plus Studio®