Four-Tower Bid to Flip Decades of Subiaco Gentrification

Long-gentrified Subiaco in Perth’s inner west would partially return to its socio-economic roots thanks to a four-tower social and affordable housing project planned for the doorstep of the suburb’s famous football ground.

On a 10,800sq m state-owned block between the Fremantle railway line and Western Australia’s onetime home of Australian football (Subiaco Oval), non-profit developer Community Housing Limited is planning a 447-unit development rising to 19 storeys.

In a report to be considered by Subiaco’s mayor and city councillors on March,24, council planners Anthony Denholm and Brendan Philipps have recommended the elected members offer support for the plan to decision-making authority Development WA.

The four towers would comprise 147 social housing units and 300 affordable units in a mix of one-bedroom, one-bathroom; two-bedroom, one-bathroom and three-bedroom, two-bathroom homes.

The Housing Australia Future Fund project, designed by national architecture firm DKO, would also include three ground-floor commercial tenancies, possibly comprising hospitality venues.

▲ The four-tower social and affordable project at chic Subiaco would rise to 19 storeys.

The towers would rise to 19, 15, 11 and 7 storeys.

The site, part of the Subi East urban renewal project, is vacant after tenants of 58 public housing apartments and townhouses were relocated between 2019 to 2022. The homes were demolished in 2023.

The former social housing estate was developed in the late 1970s, when now-exclusive inner-suburban Subiaco began to gentrify from its working class origins.

Community Housing Limited—Australia’s largest regulated community housing provider—would manage the completed buildings and their tenancies.

In July last year, when announcing the project, WA premier Roger Cook said it and another community housing development at East Fremantle were “a great outcome for West Aussies who need a little bit more assistance to get a roof over their heads”.

▲ The four towers have received the endorsement of city planners ahead of the Subiaco council formally considering the project.

The 35ha Subi East project comprises land liberated largely by demolition of the 58-home social housing project mentioned above, Princess Margaret Hospital and Subiaco Oval’s grandstands.

For decades, until the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers in 2018 switched to playing at the then-new Perth Stadium at Burswood, Subiaco Oval had been the sides’ home ground and WA headquarters of Australian football.