Scape finally starts work on State Library tower
Scape has finally started construction of a long-planned student accommodation tower – appointing Built to deliver the project.
The State Library Exchange at 393 Swanston Street will rise 58 storeys, with nine levels to be occupied by RMIT University for teaching and commercial space
The university has signed a 15-year lease for the space – speculated to be worth c$190 million.
The upper (46) floors will provide 1420 student beds.
Lower levels will include c11,000 square metres of retail, offices and education-related area; marketing for the commercial components began in 2024.
The tower is being built directly above the State Library Station, at the corner of Swanston and La Trobe streets, with its main entrance opening onto Literature Lane.
Above-ground construction began this week, with completion targeted for early 2029.
At about 185.4 metres, Scape said it will be the tallest student accommodation building in the world.
Eleven years in the making
Scape, part of The Living Company, is developing the project in partnership with RMIT, which has committed more than $270m including fit-out.
The student living provider received approval in 2017 under the planning framework established for the Metro Tunnel.
Permission was granted by then-planning minister Richard Wynne without the public notification and consultation process normally associated with a development of this scale, because the over-station site formed part of the Metro Tunnel project framework (continues below).
Completion was scheduled much earlier but the State Library Station component of the project was delayed.
Landmark tower
The State Library Exchange will include shared student facilities, with study areas, lounges, communal kitchens, gaming areas, a cinema and outdoor terraces.
Built has been appointed design and construction partner.
It is the fourth major Melbourne student accommodation project to be delivered for The Living Company.
The others are, in the city, Scape Swanston at 5 Little La Trobe Street and Scape Franklin at 99 Franklin St and in Carlton, Scape Carlton at 581 Swanston St.
The builder has delivered over 3300 student rooms nationally.
RMIT vice-chancellor Professor Alec Cameron said the investment would bring students, researchers and industry partners together in the heart of Melbourne.
The site is near the historic Burbank House at 100 Franklin Street, which Journal Living and Brookfield have incorporated into a 40-level purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) tower containing 1050 beds across 715 rooms, due to open this month.
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