What are the Major Urban Development Projects in Perth

Perth’s Urban renewal projects

Perth is changing fast. From waterfront regeneration to new campuses, towers, and major infrastructure, it’s clear the city is reinventing itself. These urban development projects will shape how people live, work, move, and connect in Perth over the next decade.

Understanding these large-scale developments matters not just for planners and developers, but for residents, businesses, and community groups too. Which projects are really going ahead? What will they bring — more homes, offices, public spaces, or cultural venues? And what can we do to make sure these developments deliver real benefits for the people who live here?

This article explores some of the most significant urban development projects underway in Perth today — describing what’s being built, how it will change the city, and what lessons we can learn from this new wave of investment and design.

Pier Street Car Park Retail Enhancement: Giving Life Back to a Hidden Edge

One of the smaller but meaningful projects in Perth’s current pipeline is the Pier Street Car Park retail enhancement. The aim is simple — to bring more activity and life to an underused edge of the city.

The project plans to modernise the ground floor of the car park into a single retail tenancy, add a new raised façade canopy, and install larger windows to make the building more open and welcoming. Inside, upgrades will improve the lobby, and a new premium private car park will replace the old basement storage area.

A new café and training space will be operated by a local education provider, turning what was once a quiet frontage into a lively meeting point. Construction began in mid-2025, and although some short-term disruptions are expected, the long-term gain will be a safer, more active, and people-friendly street edge.

Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre Redevelopment: Reimagining the Waterfront

The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre (PCEC) redevelopment is one of the most ambitious projects currently on the city’s agenda. Announced in 2024, the plan aims to completely transform the existing complex into a vibrant, contemporary waterfront precinct.

Beyond just a facelift, the redevelopment includes major road works, new access routes, and upgraded public spaces linking the city centre with the Swan River. The goal is to create a true civic landmark that can host major events, conferences, and public gatherings, while also opening up new riverside connections.

If executed well, this project will strengthen Perth’s reputation as a global events destination and deliver much-needed public realm improvements at the water’s edge.

EQ West and Elizabeth Quay Lot 4: Towers that Redefine the Skyline

At Elizabeth Quay, several major towers are changing the city’s skyline.

EQ West, a $385 million development on William Street, includes 484 apartments, a 190-room hotel, dining and retail spaces, and even a high-rise public art museum. Residents will have access to a range of wellness facilities including a pool, gym, and spa.

Nearby, Elizabeth Quay Lot 4 is another large proposal — a 54-storey tower with a five-storey podium, two basement levels, 168 apartments, and over 60,000 square metres of office space. A rooftop pool, bar, and co-working spaces will complete the mix.

Both projects aim to blend residential, commercial, and leisure uses in one connected precinct, strengthening Perth’s city core and activating its waterfront.

Waterbank: Riverside Urban Regeneration

The Waterbank project, located along the Swan River just east of the CBD, is one of Perth’s largest and most ambitious regeneration schemes. Covering over six hectares, it will eventually deliver around 1,300 homes — including 150 affordable units — along with office, retail, and community spaces. Around two-thirds of the land will be transformed into public riverside open space.

Several towers have already been approved, including two residential buildings and a major commercial block known as “The Campus”. The vision is to create a thriving, mixed-use community that connects seamlessly to the river while offering high-quality public spaces and amenities.

When complete, Waterbank will show how large brownfield sites can be transformed into people-focused urban neighbourhoods that balance density, liveability, and sustainability.

Perth Hub and City Link: Reconnecting the City

The Perth Hub and City Link project is another key part of the city’s transformation story. Once a railway yard that divided the CBD from Northbridge, the site has been re-imagined as a new urban neighbourhood that brings the two areas back together.

The development includes two major towers — a 32-storey residential building and a 23-storey hotel — along with shops, restaurants, and upgraded public spaces. Many additional lots remain to be developed, with more offices, apartments, and mixed-use projects expected in the years ahead.

This project demonstrates how good urban design and smart transport planning can reconnect neighbourhoods and create lively, walkable precincts at the heart of the city.

Capital Square: A New Business and Lifestyle Precinct

At the western end of Perth’s CBD, the Capital Square precinct continues to grow. Two new towers have been approved — one 18 storeys, the other 32 — offering a mix of office space, a luxury hotel, and high-quality public plaza areas.

This part of the city has long been underused, but projects like Capital Square are helping to bring more people and businesses into the area. Once fully built, it will stand as a strong example of how to revitalise older city blocks with mixed uses and inviting public space.

Edith Cowan University City Campus: Education in the Heart of Perth

The new Edith Cowan University (ECU) city campus is a game-changer for Perth. Built next to Yagan Square and the central train station, this vertical campus will bring 9,000 students and staff right into the CBD.

The campus will host creative industries, business, law, and technology programs, along with the university’s performing arts and screen schools. The design promotes collaboration, public access, and visibility — inviting passers-by to experience learning and creativity in the heart of the city.

This project marks a significant shift in how Perth thinks about education, innovation, and city-centre activity. It will boost foot traffic, support local businesses, and add a new cultural energy to the CBD.

Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct: Growth in the South

South of the city, the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct is emerging as a major new centre of employment, education, and housing. It will eventually provide homes for around 22,000 residents, space for 35,000 jobs, and educational capacity for 44,000 students.

By clustering healthcare, research, education, and commercial activity in one integrated area, the precinct aims to reduce travel times, increase job access, and promote sustainable growth in Perth’s southern corridor. It’s a clear example of how well-planned mixed-use precincts can bring life and opportunity to suburban areas.

Other Projects Worth Watching

• One The Esplanade — a 29-storey tower at Elizabeth Quay, set to house Chevron’s Australian headquarters.

• The Grove Residences and other suburban towers — new residential developments in places like Claremont and Nedlands showing a move toward medium- and high-density living outside the CBD.

• Civic Heart, South Perth — twin towers (38 and 21 storeys) providing more than 300 apartments and retail space, one of the tallest residential projects outside central Perth.

• Metronet — the state’s massive rail investment delivering new train lines, 18 new stations, and opportunities for housing and jobs around each hub.

• Boorloo Bridge — a striking new pedestrian and cycle link over the Swan River, designed with lighting and public art to create a safe and attractive route between the city and Victoria Park.

• Perth Riverfront Masterplan — a major program of improvements to public spaces and parks along the Swan River, enhancing access and celebrating the city’s natural setting.

• Carillon City Redevelopment — a $400 million renewal of the well-known shopping precinct, transforming it into a lively retail and cultural destination in the city centre.

Perth’s Next Chapter

Perth’s skyline and streets are evolving more rapidly than ever before. From large-scale precincts like Waterbank and Murdoch to smaller but important upgrades like Pier Street, each project adds another piece to the city’s growing puzzle. Perth continues to be a city worth watching.