Classy St Catherine’s College to open at Curtin University’s Exchange Precinct

Hundreds of domestic and international students have cashed in on a move into new multi-million dollar accommodation towers at Curtin University.

The 10-storey, 517-bed Twin Dolphin Hall opened on January 17 and more students are gearing up to move into the neighbouring St Catherine’s College tower from February 19.

The two towers are in the university’s $500 million Exchange precinct, which is next to the new bus station and the hockey stadium.

About 850 of the 1000 new beds across the two residences have been filled for 2022.

Twin Dolphin Hall is already full and has a waiting list, while some single premium rooms remain available at St Catherine’s.

Many students have taken advantage of the 50 per cent reduction in weekly rent at UniLodge-run accommodation, which includes Twin Dolphin Hall, while some students received $7500 for rental fees at St Catherine’s as part of the Curtin Award.

PerthNow had an exclusive tour through the 407-room St Catherine’s last week.

Features of the pet-friendly college, which has a sister college with the same name at UWA, include a main dining hall with 380 seats, a small dining room for special events, a small cinema, study spaces and a hub for start-up businesses.

Rent is $240 rent a week and students also receive 21 meals a week and a free room cleaning service.

Maddison Hibbert, who hails from Margaret River, and her twin sister will be among the first people to move into St Catherine’s College on February 19.

The 19-year-old had lived at the university’s room-only Kurrajong Village and said she was taking up the opportunity to live the “college life”.

“I like the social life ... even if you were living on campus, it’s hard to meet people, whereas (at St Catherine’s), you can literally meet your next door neighbour, like people in your flat and your rooms,” she said.

And in a true appreciation of the step-up in university accommodation, she said a working air-conditioning system would be much welcomed.

Students will also have a separate space to have a meal, to get together and to connect with industry experts, while other activities are planned to help students unwind after a long day in class.

Ms Hibbert said there would be plenty to do at the college for the twins, such as watching movies in the cinema and formal dinners on Tuesday nights.

“When I want to hang out, I can just walk down or catch an elevator to her floor,” she said.

“I was amazed (by) how nice and pretty and modern the building was.

“I think it’s a really awesome opportunity and if you’re from a rural area and you can make it up, I’d definitely recommend it.”

The Exchange precinct also has the Nesuto Curtin 60-room boutique hotel and 38 self-contained apartments and will soon have a grocery store and other food and beverage outlets.

“The residences offer both domestic and international students a life-changing investment in their future, with global research showing that students who choose to live on campus achieve better grades, are more likely to continue with their studies, feel more connected and generally happier than their peers who either rent or live at home,” a Curtin University spokesperson told PerthNow.

“Both international and interstate students have already booked places at both residences for 2022 and the university is ready to welcome them back into the Curtin community as soon as WA’s border restrictions ease from February 5.”

Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne told PerthNow she was delighted to invite students to make the campus their home and be part of an “exciting new era” at Curtin.

“The opportunities afforded to students who live and learn on campus deepens their connection and access to the university, forges life-long friendships, adds to the fun of university life and ensures they leave us with so much more than their degree,” she said.

The university now has six accommodation options for students.