The first designs of the new state-of-the-art ECU City campus have been unveiled today, showcasing how the world-class university campus will reshape the Perth CBD and redefine higher education in Western Australia.
Developed over two sites directly opposite Yagan Square and spanning Karak Walk, ECU City will include vast windows and galleries across nine storeys that expose cleverly stacked performance spaces, studios and state-of-the-art digital labs.
Opening to William Street Mall at Yagan Square, the university will offer new vibrancy through its dynamic digital media façade, and an immersive entrance that envelops Perth Busport, while activated streetscapes and lively common laneways will connect to Roe, Queen, and Wellington Streets.
The campus will integrate creative industries, business and technology courses with ECU's internationally recognised Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Bespoke theatres have been designed to place Perth on the world stage.
ECU City campus is a key project in the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal, a collaboration between the Morrison Government and Western Australian Government to revitalise the Perth CBD. It will see more than 9,000 students and staff visit the campus every day by 2025.
The $695 million ECU deal is jointly funded, with the Morrison Government committing $245 million, the Western Australian Government providing $150 million and ECU contributing $300 million.
The game-changing project is expected to support more than 3,000 construction jobs and create more than 380 ongoing jobs.
A development application for the mid-rise ECU City campus will be lodged with DevelopmentWA later this month, with construction expected to commence later this year.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP:
"The Morrison Government has committed $245 million for the new ECU City campus, which will not only bring together students, teachers and experts from across disciplines, but it will help reinvigorate the Perth CBD by creating an important feature in the city's cultural landscape.
"The economic impact of the development will also be significant, with the project supporting over 3,000 jobs during construction and providing an estimated $1.5 billion boost to the WA economy over the next four years."
Quotes attributable to Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan:
"This job-creating project was part of the extensive investment his Government is making in infrastructure and transport for the future.
"This is part of a once-in-a-lifetime transformation of our city centre, and will grow Perth's reputation as an innovative and vibrant city," he said.
"This project will create local jobs, activate Perth and deliver world-class university education in the CBD.
"We believe ECU City will attract investment in Perth, boost the visitor economy, provide a boost for CBD businesses and further cement Perth's reputation as a great place to live, work and visit," he said.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport, Planning and Ports, the Hon Rita Saffioti MLA:
"The campus would create exciting new opportunities for planning and transport in the Perth CBD.
"The new ECU City will become a hub of activity, with more than 9,000 staff and students to use the campus by 2025.
"This will encourage more people onto public transport, while activating the city and creating new opportunities for small businesses.
"I am so excited to see this vision continue to take shape, and return vibrancy and excitement to our CBD."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations and Senator for Western Australia Michaelia Cash:
"The designs are truly impressive and will reshape inner Perth in a way that will bring global attention to our city.
"As the centrepiece of the ambitious Perth City Deal this campus will help make Perth a more vibrant and exciting place to live as well as support jobs in the construction phase and after it's completed."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Swan, the Hon Steve Irons MP:
"The ECU City Campus will bring together programs in technology, industry and creativity, including the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), the school of Business and Law and an advanced technology and cyber security centre."
Quotes attributable to ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman CBE:
ECU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Steve Chapman CBE, said the concept design revealed a unique and welcoming campus that completely defies traditional expectations.
"We have a clear vision and ambition for Western Australia's first comprehensive city campus, and that is to deliver a remarkable university as well as a landmark for Perth's CBD," Professor Chapman said.
"Students, staff and visitors will be treated to a sensory experience from the moment they step in. It will be like nothing they have ever known.
"ECU City's design, both physically and symbolically, reaches outwards, with a strong visual connection to its surrounds. It will be a university on show - inviting people to connect and be involved with what is occurring within."
"The campus will be purposefully embedded with industry and connect the commercial, cultural and entertainment precincts of Perth, and is designed to project life, energy, and opportunity into the heart of our city. Its proximity to industry is a game-changer for engagement and partnership with business," said Professor Chapman.
"This is a once in a generation opportunity to create what we see as the university of the future, and to reinforce ECU and Perth as a highly desirable centre of education, research, innovation and performance."
