The west end Newcastle could become a thriving student hub with Linkcity, a global leader in sustainable development, planning to invest a $110 million on an ambitious student accommodation redevelopment in the heart of the new Newcastle CBD.
The west end is transforming with new offices and residential apartments wanting to be located near the Newcastle Transport Interchange.
Linkcity, Australia Managing Director, Nicolas Swiderski, says they have been looking for a site in Newcastle for a few years now and this one is perfect.
It will be a market leader in sustainability for student accommodation, it will be operationally carbon neutral, have solar panels on the rooftop and is targeting a 5-star Green Star certification.
“The project aligns with the 2041 Hunter Regional plan for a 15-minute city, with the students having a very short commute to the University of Newcastle NUSpace and Honeysuckle Campuses either walking, bike riding or one light rail stop.”
“Additionally, students will be able to hop on the train two stops to the traditional Callaghan campus. There is also a hotel next door for visiting friends and relatives.”
“Our goal is to create a safe sanctuary for young people that may be living away from home for the first time and, we will partner with Australia’s most experienced student accommodation provider UniLodge to make sure we achieve this goal.”
“Providing more student accommodation in the city centre is a priority action for the city’s revitalisation and the redevelopment of this site delivers on that action in spades.”
“By providing 500 additional beds in the city centre for students, will hopefully also free up some of the rental housing stock which is in such high demand.”
“If approved, this will be first purpose-built accommodation for students in the city centre and we are excited to be able to lead the way in providing a high quality, smart and sustainable development for what is arguably our most informed and consequence conscious generation.”
“These 500 students will bring a new vibrancy to the Newcastle CBD, spending money, eating out and also looking for part time employment. It will be a long-term economic lift for the CBD,” Nicolas said.
The proposed development will have rooftop solar panels and be carbon neutral in operation. The development team at Linkcity is also working very hard on reducing the embodied carbon levels and will have a final target set before formal DA lodgement.
This area is transforming with extensive high density residential living approved for the former store site and student accommodation is aligned to the changes happening in the area.
“There is a real opportunity for businesses to start thinking about how to best support the influx of students to the area. Our current programme is to start construction mid-2023 and we will have students in the building ready for the start of the 2025 University year,” Nicolas continued.
Linkcity and Unilodge have a strong focus on student mental wellbeing, the proposed development will have over 1,000sqm of communal indoor spaces for students to congregate, study together, cook for a dozen friends or enjoy some down time.
In addition, there will be over 600sqm of private outdoor spaces for the students to enjoy a BBQ, studying with the sun on their backs or a friendly game of table tennis.
“We are pleased to be working with Linkcity on this fantastic project in Newcastle. We are combining our 25 years of management experience in Australia with Linkcity’s international development experience to design and deliver a product that meets the needs of students living, recreation and wellbeing requirements,” says Peter Bates, Executive Chairman of Unilodge.
The project includes the heritage adaptation of the Cambridge Hotel and integration of the original building into a first-class food and beverage venue, some additional service retail and the first floor hotel rooms into the student common areas.
Greg D’Arcy, CEO of A W Edwards, says “we are delighted to be working with Linkcity on this exciting project in Newcastle. A project of this scale will generate around 500 jobs during construction, and we look forward to working with regional suppliers and tradespeople as we do on our projects in Port Macquarie to deliver this ground breaking project.”
IMAGE | 789 Hunter Street.
