Frederick Street Rockdale PBSA Development Gets the Green Light

Freecity Group is proud to announce that development approval has been granted for its new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) at 23–25 Frederick Street, Rockdale— bolstering student housing supply across metropolitan Sydney.

Lodged with Bayside Council in December 2023, the application underwent a thorough review process and following extensive consultation, development consent was officially granted this week.

Valued at $80 million, the eight-storey project will comprise 117 modular units and will be constructed using Volumetric Modular Construction (VMC) — an innovative construction method which has growing momentum globally that allows for faster delivery while maintaining high quality and sustainability standards.

Scheduled for completion in late 2026, the student accommodation will be ready to welcome students in time for Semester 1, 2027.

Designed for Connection and Comfort

Designed by COX Architects, the project will deliver a vibrant and community-focused living experience and amenities, including:

A welcoming ground-floor lobby
Café for residents and the local community
Spacious communal areas
Dedicated library for study and reading
Landscaped Level 7 rooftop terrace
Private dining area and co-working/lounge spaces
Basement car and bicycle parking

The urban character of Frederick Street will be enhanced by Arcadia’s landscape design, providing green spaces that foster wellbeing and social connection.

“This is Freecity’s second PBSA development and a reflection of our commitment to creating more than just housing — it’s about shaping meaningful student experiences through design innovation,” said Lawrence Zheng, Co-Founder and joint CEO of Freecity Group.

“Our Frederick Street PBSA development will complement Freecity’s growing student living portfolio, including our flagship 528-unit VMC development at 169–171 Herring Road, Macquarie Park”

“Both projects showcase Freecity’s leadership in sustainable modular construction and the delivery of flexible, high-impact urban housing solutions” said Zheng.

Felipe Miranda, Director at COX Architects added:

“This project sets a new benchmark for student living, with resident-centric design that supports wellbeing and fosters belonging. From the rooftop terrace to co-working and library spaces, shared environments are central to the experience”,

“Our continued partnership with Freecity reflects a shared mission: to tackle Australia’s housing challenges through the innovative use of modular design and construction. Together, we are delivering well-designed buildings at pace, with less waste.” said Miranda.

Positioned in the heart of Rockdale, the development offers superb connectivity to major universities in the CBD, transport hubs, and retail precincts—perfectly suited to today’s dynamic student lifestyle.