UniLodge @ UQ – St Lucia
The phones were ringing hot for weeks prior to the opening of UniLodge’s newest student accommodation building at St Lucia and within days this purpose-built property was running at 60% occupancy.
A great success story but even more remarkable when you consider that the property opened late in the second semester of the academic year.
But perhaps that is understandable, as UniLodge is a leader in student accommodation and has been providing accommodation and pastoral care for students in Australia and New Zealand since 1996. UniLodge has tripled in size over the past three years, illustrating its status as the largest dedicated student accommodation provider in Australia.
With more than 8000 beds across seven capital cities, UniLodge’s 24 properties are well known and are highly sought after by the student accommodation market.
“With an extensive background in the management of student accommodation and with the experience we have gained, UniLodge offers leading programs and services that create communities where students can reach their potential in a living/learning environment,” said UniLodge’s CEO Peter Bates.
He said UniLodge’s chief operating officer, Eleanor Davidson was highly regarded for her expertise in total quality management within the property sector and she and her team have developed the company’s leading edge pastoral care program, Community Spirit, that delivers a comprehensive approach in providing a close sense of community with UniLodge’s residents’ wellbeing in mind.
“Our Community Spirit program is based on acclaimed research and international best practice in pastoral care,” said Mrs Davidson.
“Our residents are the leaders of the future within their communities and our program is designed to help them to develop their leadership skills and their sense of community.
“Melissa Malouf, general manager for the property will coordinate a range of events, which allows our residents to interact with each other, and to explore Brisbane’s key attractions.”
The Community Spirit program’s events and activities include day trips, movie nights, karaoke nights, sporting events and charity work.
Students are encouraged to have their say and really be part of it by joining the residential committee. The committee members meet at the beginning of the semester to prepare the schedule of activities – and then every fortnight to catch up on how events went – and plan for the next.
“Every month the residential committee members help the general manager to generate a newsletter full of upcoming activities, news, local events and entertainment – even jokes, recipes and competitions are part of the content mix,” said Mrs Malouf.
The 71 tastefully appointed two bedroom north-facing apartments opened in October and are right in the heart of the University of Queensland education precinct at 48 Walcott St, St Lucia. They have amazing city views and balconies with tables and chairs.
Its location allows students to walk to lectures allowing them more time to study and enjoy the lifestyle that Queensland’s Group of Eight (Go8) university offers.
“Melissa, our on-site manager with 12 years experience, ensures that the students are comfortable by providing a ‘home away from home’ atmosphere and offers assistance where required,” said Stephanie Tuttle, UniLodge’s sales and marketing co-ordinator.
“With 14 years experience we have developed our policies, procedures and operations to ensure that all students feel welcome, safe and confident.
“Our property managers are consistently going beyond the call of duty to care for our residents ¬– arranging medical appointments when a student is sick, encouragement to interact and make new friends, assistance with doctors or hospital visits and just a person to talk to are just some of the roles that our staff are happy to take on.”
Ms Tuttle said the best part of being involved with UniLodge was watching students settle in and make friends.
“When the students arrive they are usually a little stressed being in a new environment,” said Ms Tuttle. “After a few days they have usually made a few friends and are then helping the new students settle in. We also conduct an extensive orientation tour on ‘how to’ use the facilities around the complex and within their apartment.”
Another benefit is the new security system.
“UniLodge @ UQ – St Lucia is a brand new property with an advanced security system in place,” said Ms Tuttle. “The brand new security system does not just benefit student’s security but operationally reduces cleaning costs and minimises any damage made to the property by way of deterrent.”
Staying in touch with home is easy for the students, as high speed Allegro Internet is included in the rent. With 120 GB included per month students find Allegro Internet is the smart, safe and easy solution for their Internet needs.
The UniLodge @ UQ – St Lucia facility is operated by UniLodge Australia under a letting and caretakers’ agreement, that offers occupancy benefits for the owners of the investment properties.
Ms Tuttle said students recommended UniLodge to their friends because of the convenience of living in fully furnished accommodation close to where they are studying, but also because they appreciate the high levels of security, a conductive study environment, excellent facilities and a sense of belonging to a supportive community.
“UniLodge is marketed domestically and internationally through various mediums,” she said.
“The most widely known is our extensive website. Our Facebook presence is also quite impressive with each of our properties having Facebook pages and groups that the students are able to join and socialise on,” she said.
“Its interactive website with online booking capabilities allows students from all over the world to book one of UniLodge’s apartments at anytime from anywhere.”
The positive student experience combined with ongoing effective marketing of the properties ensures high occupancy levels for owners at competitive market rates.
“As a professional management company, we are able to offer managers a comprehensive service in the management, coordination and care of their investment properties,” she said.
“With national and international marketing campaigns, owners can be assured that their investment is looked after with their interests in mind.”
Efficient public transport connects the precinct with nearby shopping and entertainment venues. A City Cat terminal within walking distance allows comfortable transport into the city centre via the Brisbane River.
The apartments include private and secure living areas with shared kitchens and balconies, air conditioning, fans and double bed in all bedrooms, LCD TV on wall, study desk and chair, lounge, coffee table, built-in wardrobe, bedside dresser table, overhead book shelving, hanging cupboard, full drop block-out curtains to sliding glass doors, energy efficient lighting, polished timber floors and stone top bathroom vanities.
All kitchen appliances are stainless steel and the kitchen includes a lockable pantry, fridge, drawer type dishwasher, four burner gas cook top, electric oven, slide out range hood, stone bench tops, double sinks with flickmixer tap, laminated doors and ceramic floor tiles.
Recreational facilities include a plasma TV with Foxtel, full size pool table and a barbecue area.
UniLodge @ UQ – St Lucia also has more than 90 individual car parks, enabling residents to lease a secure car park space within the building.
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