THE Western Australian government has granted approval for the Smith Street Build-to-Rent (BTR) Project at the former Stirling Towers site in Highgate.
The former public housing site, at 49-67 Smith Street, will be transformed into 109 new apartments across a four-storey project that will deliver a mix of one- and two-bedroom social, affordable and specialist disability rental units to the Perth CBD.
“The Smith Street BTR Project site is part of our Government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline, unlocking lazy Government land to deliver more social and affordable housing options,” said John Carey, minister for housing.
“The Smith Street project will be the first State Government-led build-to-rent project in WA and will be undertaken in a staged approach including demolition and preparation of the site, construction of the development and a ground lease for management of the complex.
The development application was lodged by the community housing-led consortium comprising of Community Housing Ltd and Tetris Capital.
The Western Australian Cook government issued a demolition permit for the site back in September, to remove the 79 public housing units previously on the site, which has been vacant since the last tenants moved out 10 years ago.
With demolition works currently underway and expected to be completed in early 2025, with Tetris Capital Pty Ltd managing the site readiness works on behalf of the state government.
“Once completed, this build-to-rent project will provide social and affordable housing options close to a range of amenities including the Perth CBD, shops, public transport and parks, as well as education, sporting and entertainment facilities,” added Carey.
