Approval Grows SKS Group’s BtR Pipeline in Perth

Malaysian-based developer SKS Group is lining up approvals around Perth as it branches further into build-to-rent projects.

The developer of the Perth Hilton hotel won approval for a 21-storey build-to-rent project at West Perth, dubbed Harvest, in October and a 20-storey residential block at Burswood last month.

The projects follow the group’s WA development arm beginning construction on a two-tower development at Cockburnwith Unilodge subsidiary Essence Community in June.

That joint-venture project was the group’s first in the build-to-rent sector and comprises 109 apartments as well as 170 hotel rooms.

SKS is expected to start work on Harvest, designed by Plus Studio, once the Cockburn build wraps.

That inner-city project includes 87 serviced apartments, 118 build-to-rent apartments and ground-floor retail on a 2571sq m site at 581-583 Murray Street, West Perth.

▲ Renderings for the build-to-rent project at West Perth, left, and the apartment block at Burswood.

Meanwhile, SKS Group has been granted an extension to push out the build of its 2 Hawthorne Place, Burswood plan by two years to October 2028.

An amendment to the scheme adding 51 apartments was also approved last month.

Designed by Cottee Parker, the project now comprises 170 apartments and 214 parking spaces. The tower height has risen by 3m, though the floorplate is smaller than previously proposed.

SKS Group cited project viability, builder availability and interest rate rises as the reason it sought the changes for the 4484sq m site in the Town of Victoria Park at the development assessment panel.

“SKS has been continuously working to progress the project and achieve a development that is affordable to buyers and feasible to develop,” the report said.

▲ A rendering of SKS Group’s Cockburn Central Perth project it is developing along with UniLodge.

The plans “update the design scheme with revised apartment yield and mix suitable for the evolving market”.

The project was one of three large-scale developments approved during the Town of Victoria Park, City of Belmont and City of Fremantle meeting by the WA Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel.

The others were Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s plans to build a 150-key hotel and laneway at Fremantle, and a community housing provider’s plans for Lot 888 at Hawksburn Road, Rivervale.