Wesfarmers-backed Built Living secures $120m for apartment factory
Wesfarmers-backed Built Living has secured up to $120 million from the National Reconstruction Fund to establish a housing manufacturing facility in Perth’s north.
The loan will support a pilot facility at Neerabup, expected to produce components for more than 2,000 apartments a year – about one dwelling an hour assuming a 40-hour working week, 52 weeks a year..
Construction is due to start in the second half of 2026, with first manufacturing output targeted for early 2028.
Built Living is a 50:50 joint venture announced in May between Australian-owned contractor and property group Built and Wesfarmers, which has committed $100m in equity.
The WA Government is supporting the project with a $20m incentive and a long-term lease at the Neerabup Automation and Robotics Precinct.
Property developer Adrian Fini will also hold an economic interest in the manufacturing facility.
High-profile consortium
The venture was established earlier this year after Built spent almost two years researching overseas housing delivery models.
It will use Design for Manufacture and Assembly, or DfMA, to produce modular and precast concrete components in a controlled factory environment before they are assembled at apartment projects.
The model is expected to deliver apartments up to 50 per cent faster and up to 20pc cheaper than traditional construction.
The Neerabup facility is expected to create about 150 jobs during construction and another 150 ongoing roles, including in advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation (continues below).
Built Living chief executive Dale Connor said the government backing would help transform the residential construction supply chain.
“Investing in modern methods of construction is a practical way to address Australia’s housing challenge,” he added.
The facility will initially support Built Living’s residential pipeline and third-party developments, with some capacity also reserved for government-backed housing and social infrastructure projects.
Residential construction supply chain to be transformed: Built
The Neerabup factory will form the foundation of a broader national manufacturing platform, with Built Living planning to use the model beyond WA.
The NRFC’s David Gall said the investment would complement traditional construction with a scalable manufacturing model.
“By introducing digitisation and automation into the apartment construction process, NRFC investment is expected to lower costs, shorten delivery timelines and improve construction efficiency,” he said.
Neerabup is 35 kilometres from the CBD.
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