University of Melbourne to get new accommodation facilities

A 648-bed student accommodation facility will be built in Carlton under a new agreement between the University of Melbourne and Campus Living Villages (CLV) in a 38-year Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) contract.

The agreement with CLV will enable the University of Melbourne to substantially increase accommodation for its students and enhance the student experience on campus. The project is a key component of the University’s overall Student Accommodation Program.
It is the first time the University has opted into a BOOT scheme to provide new, high-quality, affordable student accommodation options to domestic and international students as part of its long-term strategy to provide at least 2,000 new student beds by 2020.
The new 14-storey student accommodation facility will be developed on the site located at 108-128 Leicester Street and is expected to be completed in late 2015 and opened in time for Semester 1, 2016.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis said student accommodation was extremely important to the life and vibrancy of the University.
“CLV brings the highest level of international expertise in developing student accommodation projects. We look forward to working closely with CLV to achieve our vision for the facility,” he said.
The University’s Senior Vice-Principal Ian Marshman who has oversight of the Student Accommodation Program said the project was in line with the University’s ambition to offer a student experience of unmatched quality.
“As well as the provision of beds, the development of this facility South of the campus aims to enhance the urban amenity and contribute to a greater level of ‘24/7 life’ within the area,” he said.
The Leicester Street facility will offer students a coordinated resident life program to build a sense of community within the facility and strong connections with the University, its campus and an enhanced experience of the Melbourne CBD. This will include sporting and social activities, cultural and art events and volunteering opportunities.
CLV Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Heffernan said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with the University of Melbourne. This is a partnership two years in the making. We look forward to applying our global experience to provide quality facilities and a supportive residential community for University of Melbourne students.”
“It was important to both CLV and the University that the design of the accommodation achieved a 5 Green Star Sustainability Design Rating,” Mr Heffernan said. “Features such as high performance insulation and glazing systems, solar panels, cross ventilation, and high efficiency fixtures and fittings have been incorporated into the design to achieve this important environmental rating.”
The new facility, which will be built by Watpac Construction, will offer extensive common room spaces, ground level retail outlets, secure access and staff support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
State Manager for Watpac Construction in Victoria Nick Pavlovic said the work undertaken to date would see the delivery of an exceptional facility that meets the 5 star Green Star Rating for a multi-unit residential complex and was planned to maximize solar access and amenity.
The new BOOT contract with CLV follows an announcement in March that the University had purchased an 11-storey tower at 303-305 Royal Parade and five terrace houses at 80-90 The Avenue, Parkville from the Salvation Army. These sites will provide an additional 200-300 student beds by as early as 2017.
About the Leicester Street Student Accommodation facility:
• 648 bed student accommodation facility
• 14 levels of accommodation plus ground level common areas
• A mix of Studio, 1, and 4 bedroom units will be available within the development
• Site has an approximate total area of 3600m2
• Estimated completion date: end 2015, opening February 2016