UQ's $206.5 million investment

The Student Residence is based on robust research which showed a clear gap in Brisbane’s student residential market for more purpose-built on-campus student accommodation.

It is expected to be financially sustainable from the first year of operation – in 2022.

“To make university possible and accessible to students from a range of diverse backgrounds, it is important to provide accommodation options that are affordable,” Professor Høj said.

“The new student residence will be both high quality and competitively priced and we hope it will encourage our enrolment of students from less advantaged backgrounds and rural areas.

“It is our vision that such affordability will be accelerated through philanthropic donations, based on the promising signs in our current campaign."

The high-quality, 16-storey residence will include a central ‘Masterchef’ style kitchen as well as kitchenettes on each of the floors, study spaces and recreation facilities such as games and cinema rooms, and communal gardens.

“Overwhelmingly, students are looking for en suite rooms with shared spaces such as kitchens, gyms and study areas,” Professor Høj said.

“The project will include a mix of room types to meet student preferences, including for those with disabilities.”

Integration with other services on campus, including around-the-clock access to pastoral care and security, will provide a seamless experience for students and will help them to adjust to university life.

As a feature of the project, the historic Cairngorm homestead will remain on-site and be refurbished - incorporating a sense of Queensland’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle.

UQ’s Health and Recreation Centre Program will house a state-of-the-art fitness centre, as well as professional healthcare and a student-led clinic specialising in sports and musculoskeletal injuries.

“This unique concept for fitness and specialist healthcare integrates services under one roof in a way that is not in evidence in any other Australian university, or the public and private healthcare settings,” Professor Høj said.

“The new centre will give students an opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional health and fitness setting – further enhancing their employability.

“UQ is ranked number one in Australia for sports-related subjects, and our allied health graduates will also gain incredible experience through authentic placements while helping to build a stronger and healthier community.”

The new centre will include gymnasiums, sports halls, group fitness and multi-purpose spaces, as well as consultation and treatment rooms, and teaching and learning resources.

It will be open for use by students, staff and the broader community, and will be easily accessible from current aquatics, tennis, track and field and outdoor court facilities.

UQ is more than doubling its footprint in Brisbane’s CBD with the $47.4 million purchase of an iconic building in the City’s Golden Triangle.

The University has bought heritage-listed ‘The Chambers’ on 308 Queen Street, and 88 Creek Street.

“The purchase of extra Brisbane CBD real estate will help to UQ meet a significant increase in demand for our executive education offering, lifelong learning and micro-credentialing, as well as continuing professional development,” Professor Høj said.

“It is our ambition to replicate our exemplary restoration and maintenance of the heritage-listed 293 Queen Street building.

“The two buildings are in prime location, close to many of the city’s largest firms, as well as key public transport and CBD amenities.

"We expect the purchase to help us build even stronger connections with business and government, further strengthening UQ’s attraction to post-grad and executive students."