WATPAC has been awarded a $49 million contract to build Cedar Pacific’s 13-level student accommodation project on Bouverie St in Carlton, next to the $60 million Leicester Street facility that the ASX-listed group completed in 2016.
The 123-135 Bouverie Street facility will be operated by UniLodge and accommodate 648 University of Melbourne students, with a mix of ensuited, small and large, and accessible dormitory rooms.
It will also include meeting lounges, a sky lounge, shared kitchens and dining spaces and a gym.
Watpac managing director Martin Monro said the new development would benefit from the group’s capabilities in delivering projects with unique needs.
“Watpac’s extensive experience in building education precincts and residential developments ensures the Group will deliver an exceptional facility for our clients Cedar Pacific and UniLodge,” he added.
Cedar Pacific chief executive officer Bernie Armstrong said the building represents a departure from the studio style student accommodation by emphasising the community within the building through a greater use of common areas, as well as the wider Carlton community.
Watpac will also refurbish the adjacent heritage building the Art Deco, formerly Modern Printing Company Factory, which will be incorporated into the development.
Workforce numbers are expected to reach 150 at peak construction, and completion is set for July 2019.
Watpac delivered the 648-bed facility at 108-128 Leicester Street for Campus Living Villages and the University of Melbourne.
In June, the group won the $110 million contract to design and construct the new Deakin Law School building at the Burwood Campus.
It completed the design and construction of the Victorian New Schools PPP earlier this year, and current works include the Jewish Care Senior Living and Community Precinct on St Kilda Road, the Casey Hospital Expansion and Union Tower residential development.
Nationally, its projects include Herston Quarter Redevelopment and North Queensland Stadium in Queensland, stage two of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and Medical Imaging building project in New South Wales, and more recently the $165 million Adelaide Airport Terminal Expansion.
Watpac was set to be taken over by major Belgian construction player Besix, but activist shareholder Sandon Capital thwarted the group’s move.
Australian Property Journal
