Waterford purpose built student accommodation project reaches critical milestone at topping out ceremony

The Yugo Perth University Campus purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project has reached a critical milestone today, with a topping out ceremony held on-site.

The $193 million project, being built by Exal Group, will be managed by global student housing brand and operator Yugo, and will reach its highest point today with a celebration featuring the signing of a structural beam.

The 916-bed, three-tower property will include retail tenancies and state-of-the-art recreational facilities including a gym, basketball half-court, theatre, games room, rooftop gardens, a study hall and study rooms.

The project will feature ground floor retail tenancies including a convenience store, food court, café, educational support facilities and restaurant. Available room types include single ensuites, studio apartments and two and three-bedroom share apartments.

While construction of the three-tower project across 7,200 sqm will reach its highest point today, the f irst two towers of Yugo Perth University Campus are due to open for Semester Two, 2026, with the third in 2027.

Located at Waterford, the new student accommodation offering is adjacent to both Canning College and Curtin University, providing additional beds for students wanting to live close to their campus, and offering facilities to make them feel at home.

This landmark development is being developed by innovative Western Australia-based property developer Exal Group. The Yugo Perth University Campus PBSA is Exal’s first student accommodation project and will be one of the largest PBSA properties in Perth once completed, complementing its proven track record of delivering premier mixed-use and residential development projects.

The property will be managed by Yugo, which operates Yugo Adelaide City, Yugo Perth City on Stirling Street, and Yugo Berkeley Street and University Square in Melbourne.

Yugo is the first global student housing brand created to enhance students’ overall experiences throughout and beyond university life, operating more than 280 student living spaces, serving over 160,000 student customers annually, across more than 120 cities in 14 countries. This project underscores its continuous commitment to providing extraordinary living environments for students worldwide.

In 2023, the project was awarded Best Student Accommodation Development at the prestigious PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Australia).

Comments attributed to Dr Bay Yeo, Group Managing Director - Exal Group Pty Ltd:

“As a former international student at Curtin University I’ve enjoyed watching The Yugo Perth University Campus project progress in what feels like my backyard. It has been a personal journey for me, and will allow other students to tread similar paths to mine as they study and live in Perth.

“Yugo Perth University Campus will be a safe, convenient and fun place to live for students from Curtin University, Canning College and other higher education institutions, providing a home away from home for many people, within an education precinct.

We are thrilled to have reached this project milestone with our key partners, which will provide much-needed student housing and create a home for more international students to study in Western Australia.”

Comments attributed to Mr Tim Klitscher, Managing Director – Yugo Australia:

“We are thrilled to reach this milestone with Yugo Perth University Campus, which will provide much needed accommodation for more than 900 students near key study destinations.

“There is an urgent need for more student accommodation in Perth, near important institutions, and Western Australia is a priority for Yugo as international student numbers grow.

“Yugo Perth University Campus will be truly unique as purpose-built student accommodation once completed, with incredible amenities and social spaces for our students to engage. Our low-rise design will allow us to bring the outside in, with natural light and outdoor amenities key to its design.”

“At Yugo, we exist to provide an extraordinary experience for our students and support them throughout their educational journey. We not only provide incredible living spaces, but we support our students to grow through Yugo’s Live Your Best Life Program – built on our three pillars: YugoEco, focusing on sustainability; YuPro, connecting students with educational and job opportunities; and YuGrow, supporting personal development.

“We ensure that students not only excel academically but also thrive personally and professionally.”

For interviews on the day, please contact Tim Klitscher on 0410 026 437.

About Yugo

Yugo is the first global student housing brand and operator redefining student living on a global scale and bringing next-level experiences to student life and beyond. We’re not just about housing — we’re about creating vibrant, sustainable, and supportive spaces where students can thrive. Yugo’s leading management approach draws on over 30 years of experience to efficiently operate student spaces at scale, expand into new markets, and create value for our partners through enhanced student experiences.

Yugo forms part of The Dot Group and includes over 280 student living spaces in 14 countries in more than 120 of the world’s top educational cities. Globally it is the largest and most diversified student housing operator in the world creating a Yugo home for 160,000 student customers.

In 2025, Yugo became the exclusive student housing operating partner of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (“VCARB”) Formula One Team, providing students unparalleled access to unique opportunities and experiences worldwide. For further information please visit: www.yugo.com