Student accommodation to house more than 400 people has been proposed to replace an office block and car park in Braddon.
Plans have been lodged with the ACT Planning Authority to redevelop a 3058-square-metre site on 44-46 Mort Street. A six-storey building is proposed for the Braddon blocks.
Residential rooms would span across each level and there are three room types proposed: 17-square-metre rooms, 21.5-square-metre rooms and 29-square-metre "accessible" rooms.
Ground level commercial and retail space with frontage onto Mort Street has also been proposed but this would require a rezoning of the site to allow this.
The $24 million redevelopment would also include study spaces on floors one, two and four. There would also be a gym, common spaces and laundry.
One level of basement parking for 73 cars would also form part of the development.
According to a traffic report, the development would add a total of 276 trips a day but this would only be 90 per cent of what the existing development contributes.
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The project has been designed by the Singapore-based DP Architects and would be built by a Canberra builder.
"The proponent has used this site as an opportunity to create something different both in terms of its use and design initially using a Singaporean architect to create something unique," application papers said.
It is being developed by Mesja and part owner of the company Wayne Gregory said the development would provide an opportunity for students living and studying in Canberra "to become one with the community".
The application comes amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has placed restrictions on international travellers to Australia.
The number of international student arrivals to Australia dropped 16 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Mr Gregory said he felt Canberra would be well-placed for a recovery in the number of arrivals.
"Our belief is that the student market is strong in Canberra and will rebound quickly from the COVID crisis," he said.
"The project is expected to be completed late 2021 that will see the accommodation available at the beginning of the 2022 academic year."
Public consultation on the project will close on May 29.
