Brisbane CBD office block to become 1200-bed student digs in Australian first

The first look has been revealed at the transformation of a former Queensland government office building into a modern, 1200-bed student accommodation facility in the heart of Brisbane CBD.

Purpose-built student accommodation operator Unilodge has been appointed by Dexus to manage 41 George Street, which is set to open for semester two next year, with classes starting in July.

Dexus project director James Curtin said the project marked Australia’s first full-scale office-to-student accommodation conversion and was a blueprint for adaptive reuse projects nationwide.

A render of 41 George Street, Brisbane CBD, which will become a modern, 1200-bed student accommodation facility in the heart of Brisbane.

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“This project will provide 1200 new student beds to Brisbane, delivering critical student accommodation located steps from Queensland’s leading universities,” he said.

The conversion of the 27-storey tower has reimagined every element of the building, from adapted floor plates and relocated airconditioning systems to custom-designed community spaces, including a cinema, games room and wellness facilities.

The exterior will feature a colourful new facade reflective of Brisbane’s distinctive local sandstone, with painting works to start before Christmas.

Mr Curtin said the project demonstrated Dexus’s expertise in complex adaptive reuse projects, leveraging decades of experience in property development and asset transformation.

“41 George Street demonstrates what is possible with adaptive reuse,” he said.

“We are pleased with the progress to date and expect the first floors to be completed early in the new year.”

A render showing 41 George Street in the Brisbane CBD.

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Located steps from universities, major transport hubs and city amenities, the project joins Dexus’s Waterfront Brisbane development in preparing the city for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

Marquette Properties chief executive Toby Lewis said UniLodge Brisbane City would deliver much needed housing at scale to a city in dire need of more beds and rooms.

“The project will cater to the domestic and foreign students studying at QUT and other Brisbane CBD universities which will ease pressure on the demand for all types of housing in the inner city,” he said.

Three floors are dedicated to resident amenities and UniLodge will be opening leasing inquiries early next year. The 41 George Street building is owned by Dexus Real Estate Partnership, with 5 per cent of the economic interest held by Marquette Properties. Dexus and Marquette Properties are joint development managers.