UWS takes 1PSQ as Parramatta becomes an education hub
The University of Western Sydney is to lease the new tower One Parramatta Square, aka 1PSQ.
The proposed new campus will have over 10,000 students.
The highrise campus will include 26,000 square metre space over 14 levels with UWS vice-chancellor Professor Barney Glover saying it chose the development due to the building’s design, flexibility and prominence.
The tower will sit within the envisaged $2 billion urban renewal project, Parramatta Square, a six-stage, three hectare masterplan development by Parramatta City Council.
The $200 million A-Grade tower is being developed by Leighton Properties which purchased the 4,132 square metre site at 169 Macquarie Street, after being announced as the preferred buyer by the Parramatta City Council last year.
"This project forms a vital part of the University's strategy to significantly expand its international student population, and will be a focal point for our postgraduate programs. The prime CBD location will embed UWS in the social, economic and civic life of Parramatta and Greater Western Sydney," Professor Glover said.
Students will benefit from existing public transport links plus the planned Western Sydney Light Rail Network, although construction work beginning in early 2015 and completed for the first university semester in 2017, will beat any light rail.
Last week Raffles Assets Australia, a subsidiary of Singapore’s Raffles Education Corporation, bought in Parramatta.
Their $29 million purchase which will assist the renaissance of the precinct, is a six-storey office building at 1-3 Fitzwilliam Street.