The Switch, Berkeley St: Redefining student accommodation in Melbourne's Education Precinct
- natasha10928
- Aug 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Delivering large-scale impact with TAL GP PROJECTS
Discover TAL GP PROJECTS’ large-scale purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development at 680 Elizabeth Street — The Switch, Berkeley St — a landmark project strategically located in Melbourne’s world-renowned education precinct. This significant property development is expertly managed by our team in close partnership with leading global and local stakeholders, setting a new benchmark for student housing in Melbourne.
Project overview: A vision for next-generation student living
TAL GP PROJECTS is proud to be delivering The Switch, Berkeley St — a vibrant, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development situated at 680 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Designed in collaboration with Nuveen and Switch Living, this substantial student housing development is set to redefine the student living experience in Melbourne’s education hub.
Our clear vision extends beyond simply providing a place to live. The Switch, Berkeley St cultivates a dynamic and connected student community, blending high-quality housing with collaborative spaces and lifestyle-driven amenities. This integrated approach supports student wellbeing, fosters a sense of belonging, and enhances academic success, all underpinned by a socially conscious and design-led philosophy.
Prime location: At the heart of Melbourne’s Education Hub
Strategically positioned in the heart of Melbourne’s education precinct, The Switch, Berkeley St is within easy walking distance of The University of Melbourne and RMIT University. Its prime Elizabeth Street address offers students unparalleled access to public transport, diverse retail, and Melbourne’s vibrant cultural and commercial centres, making it an ideal base for study, work, and city life.
This significant development also contributes to broader precinct renewal efforts, aligning seamlessly with the City of Melbourne’s vision to reinforce the area as a global destination for education, innovation, and urban living. This demonstrates our commitment to impactful property development in Melbourne.
Design & development excellence: Tailored for student needs
The Switch, Berkeley St has been meticulously designed to meet the evolving needs of students and support a flexible, community-first lifestyle. Key features include:
Striking architecture:Â Designed by Rothelowman, the architectural form integrates seamlessly into the existing streetscape while making a confident urban statement.
Diverse accommodation:Â A mix of studio and shared apartment configurations, featuring high-quality finishes and fittings.
Communal & wellness spaces:Â Thoughtfully designed study zones, lounges, wellness areas, and rooftop amenities encourage social connection and provide essential support.
Ground floor activation:Â Retail and public engagement spaces enhance local amenity and vibrancy.
Sustainability focus:Â Environmentally responsible design elements and operational efficiency are embedded from the outset, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainable development.
The design team has also carefully retained key heritage elements through a delicate façade retention strategy, preserving the site's historical character while injecting new energy. This development stands as a testament to TAL GP PROJECTS' development philosophy: to deliver efficient spaces customised to user requirements through cohesive architectural solutions that respond sensitively to the site context.
Expert project team & valued partners
The successful delivery of this significant student housing development, The Switch, Berkeley St, is driven in partnership with a best-in-class project team:
TAL GP PROJECTSÂ
Nuveen Real EstateÂ
Switch Living
Cor PartnersÂ
Hamilton MarinoÂ
RothelowmanÂ
Webber DesignÂ
Napier & BlakeleyÂ
Ratio ConsultantsÂ
This collaborative model ensures every stage of the development - from vision to delivery to operations - is led by experts in their field. All partners are aligned on quality, sustainability, and student experience. In contrast with traditional property developers, TAL GP PROJECTS remains actively engaged from the earliest stages of the development value chain, integrating our partners’ inputs throughout the development lifecycle.
Progress update & strategic significance
Construction commenced in early 2025, with Hamilton Marino undertaking on-site works, including demolition and façade retention. The site is now actively progressing through major works, with in-ground services and the 1st-floor slab nearing completion, building momentum toward a major city-shaping outcome for Melbourne’s property development landscape.
Practical completion for this landmark PBSA development is targeted for early 2027, aligning seamlessly with the academic calendar to ensure students are welcomed into a brand-new home for the 2027 study year.
The Switch, Berkeley St represents a flagship asset for TAL GP PROJECTS and a strategic addition to our growing portfolio of successful Melbourne property developments that respond to long-term demographic demand. For TAL GP PROJECTS and its partners, the project demonstrates how institutional-grade student accommodation can be delivered at scale while retaining a strong community ethos. This development is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalise on the structural tailwinds of Melbourne’s student accommodation sector, underpinned by robust rebounding in student enrolments and Melbourne reasserting its global standing as a top-tier education destination.
Conclusion: Shaping great places for Melbourne’s future
We’re excited to see The Switch, Berkeley St take shape and are immensely proud to be working alongside an outstanding group of partners to bring this transformative project to life.
Stay tuned for more updates as we progress toward completion and continue delivering on our mission to shape great places that foster living, learning, and growth across Melbourne and beyond.
Explore more of TAL GP PROJECTS' successful property development projects or contact our team for partnership opportunities.