Global accommodation innovator Scape has received development approval for four of its Sydney projects, which will be built in Kensington and Kingsford. Stephen Gaitanos, Managing Director and co-founder of Scape said, “Scape’s trophy assets will deliver much needed residential and student rental accommodation and deliver an economic hub for Randwick’s expanding health and education precincts. Development approval is imminent for Scape’s fifth project in this area. Scape is investing over $1 billion in these precincts over the next five years through its developments and ongoing operations.

Scape’s five inspirational vertical buildings will stand proudly along Anzac Parade ranging in height from 6 to 18 storeys offering extensive public domain work featuring laneways, plazas and multi-purpose spaces and innovation labs to support Randwick Council’s Kensington to Kingsford Planning Proposal - K2K vision.  The precinct will comprise over 1,500 bedrooms, 8,000 sqm of retail and commercial spaces delivering enhanced amenity and world’s best in class education accommodation solutions to support the growth in demand around the University of New South Wales precinct.

Stephen Gaitanos, Managing Director and co-founder of Scape said, “Scape’s trophy assets will deliver much needed residential and student rental accommodation and deliver an economic hub for Randwick’s expanding health and education precincts. These projects are anticipated to create significant employment opportunities with flow through economic impact set to exceed $2 billion. World leading designers, architects and town planners were commissioned to emulate the very best in urban design to create legacy developments.”

“As a sector specialist, with a focus on direct let ‘off-campus’ assets, Scape has proven its ability to create buzzing collider zones for students, local universities and the business community in engaging spaces. As owner-occupiers with a long-term interest in Scape’s buildings, a triple bottom line approach has been adopted, focused on environmental, economic and social considerations including enhanced safety and security, community sustainability initiatives and a design aesthetic that links the precincts and embraces the needs of the residential community,” added Craig Carracher, Executive Chairman and co-founder of Scape.

Adam Trent, Director of Acquisitions & Developments at Scape said, “A range of affordable rental accommodation solutions will be provided for students, academics, young professionals and key workers. These projects have aligned with the new Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan and accommodate Randwick Council and community feedback, all contributing to exemplar future character along Anzac Parade and supporting the new light rail infrastructure.

“Randwick Council’s K2K strategy has paved the way for urban regeneration in the Anzac Parade corridor. As a very proud community partner, Scape looks forward to creating one of Sydney’s best living and learning environments off campus.”

Scape in collaboration with Randwick City Council held design competitions for four buildings. Leading architectural firms SJB, BVN, PTW and Plus Architecture were selected for their empathic designs that enhance the unique geometries of the sites to establish diverse spaces.

SJB Architects designed gateway building Scape Lachlan. Joseph Loh, Studio Associate, comments “Scape Lachlan will be incredibly significant in the K2K corridor. It is the largest opportunity site at the Todman Square intersection and is uniquely placed to offer public benefit on a scale which is not achievable on other sites in the corridor. Scape Lachlan will become the heart of Todman Square, where public space is prioritised and visitors feel safe and welcome.

“The building is modulated into components which play against the skyline and scale to enhance the street character. Materials shift in colour, texture and transparency creating a rich, varied experience at pedestrian level. Concrete, glass and brick structures are contrasted with fine steel details, pattern and landscape. At the internal intersection of the through-site link and newly formed Lachlan Lane, the community work hub is a space that everyone can engage in. Generous shared spaces at the heart of the precinct emphasise public access and social blending of users.”

An expansive range of amenity for socialising and living to create memorable experiences will be created across all buildings. Rooftop pools with gyms, outdoor cinemas and relaxation zones, co-working and study zones including a library, multiple shared dining and lounging spaces across various building levels will encourage social interaction.  Several sustainable elements will also be woven into the Green Star designs supported by initiatives such as car share, e-bikes, rainwater reuse and highly landscaped zones.

Urban design experts Roberts Day and town planners Willowtree Planning were engaged to masterplan the visionary place-led project to create complete precincts at Todman Square and Kensington Gateway.

Stephen Moore, Director at Roberts Day said, “The marrying of world’s best place-making and Scape’s user experience ethos to create deeply immersive and authentic experiences will benefit everyone in the area. A network of vibrant pedestrian lanes and arcades are designed to create a continuous pedestrian experience celebrating the arts, culture optimism and student life.”

Pop-up and experimental retail seeding for next generation entrepreneurs; a micro-mobility network completing the light rail to reduce vehicle dependency; podiums as places to create socially connected people; vertical greenery and social corners creating intimate meeting places to help ease pedestrian congestion around the light rail stop will enhance engagement and liveability.

Scape is transforming dilapidated parts of Kensington and Kingsford with high crime rates into a high-quality ecosystem. They will replace the current low-quality dwellings and retail shops into state-of-the-art rental accommodation, retail and commercial offices, which will dramatically improve safety and security in these areas as well as creating new local long-term jobs.

Randwick’s local government area is one of Australia’s leading health innovation and education precincts and is a significant contributor to both the local and national economy with key institutions like the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital – Randwick, Randwick Racecourse and the University of New South Wales within its jurisdiction.

This year, Scape was again a major sponsor of the Sydney Children’s Hospital’s annual charity event. Monica Saunders- Weinberg, Event Chair comments, “It has been an honour to have Scape as our sponsor. They are committed to the cause especially because children’s mental health, which is our beneficiary this year aligns with their focus of maintaining the mental health and well-being of their students. Scape has been by our side throughout and their team has been a pleasure to work with. Coming together with like-minded and driven partners is what this year’s gold dinner is all about. I am full of gratitude for their support.”

The NSW government has invested over $1.6 billion into the CBD and South East Light Rail as well as $700 million in the expansion of Randwick’s education and health facilities.

The Scape’s development approval announcement follows a recent statement from Gladys Berejiklian, which highlights a NSW government plan to bring international students back to university campuses this year is being considered by the federal government. Under the plan before the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, overseas students would be quarantined in Sydney using purpose-built housing.

Construction is anticipated to start later this year.