<article>Hong Kong-based <a style="color: #000080" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/?s=GAW+Capital" target="_blank">Gaw Capital Partners (GCP)</a> has acquired the former corporate headquarters of <a style="color: #000080" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/?s=telstra" target="_blank">Telstra</a>, the leading telecommunication and technology company in Australia, and plans to turn the property into a student dormitory.</article>

Hong Kong-based <a style="color: #000080" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/?s=GAW+Capital" target="_blank">Gaw Capital Partners (GCP)</a> has acquired the former corporate headquarters of <a style="color: #000080" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/?s=telstra" target="_blank">Telstra</a>, the leading telecommunication and technology company in Australia, and plans to turn the property into a student dormitory.
The real estate private equity firm disclosed that it made the deal through one of the funds under its management.
The eight-storey, 20,000 sqm office property is located on a 6,000 sqm site, along Stirling Street in Perth, Australia. It is near the city&#8217;s central business district with nearby access to a variety of public transport and lifestyle options.
Also Read: <a style="color: #ff0000" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/57161-57161/" target="_blank">China: Gaw Capital completes Series B investment in coworking space network naked Hub</a>
GCP took the advise of local diversified developer DevWest Group to convert the office building into a dormitory that can accommodate more than 500 students.
<a style="color: #000080" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/?s=DevWest" target="_blank">DevWest Group</a> executive director Damon Ferguson connects the Telstra building&#8217;s renovation to the ongoing rapid transformation in the city, such as the re-emergence of the Northbridge entertainment precinct and the evolution of the Perth City Link project, which will reconnect the CBD to Northbridge in the north of the city.
&#8220;It will certainly serve as a major contributor to the regeneration of this area,&#8221; Ferguson said.
Also Read: <a style="color: #ff0000" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/australia-abacus-property-gaw-capital-launch-200m-fund-55343/" target="_blank">Australia: Abacus Property, GAW Capital launch $200m fund targeting industrial assets</a>
GCP managing principal and president Kenny Gaw, said education is already one of Australia’s biggest export earners and there continues to be strong growth in the number of international students arriving in the country.
&#8220;Perth has not focused on this growth area during previous economic cycles, but our advisor DevWest recognised the significant opportunity in the market and was one of the first market players to act,&#8221; Gaw said.
According to Knight Frank research, by the end of 2020, Australia’s undersupply of student accommodation is projected to increase by 39 per cent to over 400,000 units as the rate of full-time higher education student growth continues to outpace the development of purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) bed spaces.
Also Read: <a style="color: #ff0000" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/46850-46850/" target="_blank">Hong Kong: Gaw Capital raises $150m in initial capital for its hotel fund</a>
GCP ventured into converting properties into student accommodation in 2015 with Campus HK, Hong Kong’s first shared accommodation created specifically for students with uniquely designed living spaces, extensive leisure facilities, affordable rents and a convenient location.
Established in 2005, GCP focuses on global real estate markets, specializing in adding strategic value to under-utilized real estate through redesign and re-positioning. It has raised equity of $ 7.3 billion and commands assets of $ 12.8 billion under management as of third quarter of 2016.
Also Read:
<a style="color: #ff0000" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/45724-45724/" target="_blank">TH Real Estate, Gaw Capital team up for $1.2b retail-focussed China fund</a>
<a style="color: #ff0000" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/telstra-ventures-invests-in-us-based-boomtown-to-upgrade-its-australia-market-58203/" target="_blank">Telstra Ventures invests in US tech firm Boomtown</a>
<a style="color: #ff0000" href="http://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/telstra-leads-series-b-round-for-c88-54488/" target="_blank">Telstra Ventures leads series B round into financial website operator C88</a>

Gaw Capital buys Telstra HQ, targets student dorm biz

Gaw Capital buys Telstra HQ, targets student dorm biz

Bring stories like this into your inbox every day.

Sign up for our newsletter - The Daily Brief

Gaw Capital buys Telstra HQ, targets student dorm biz

Start your deal-making journey now!

Bring stories like this into your inbox every day.

Sign up for our newsletter - The Daily Brief