ECU City represents a unique alignment of vision, credentials, location, ambition and opportunity. It will deliver an inspiring legacy for all Western Australians for generations to come.
ECU City will redefine higher education in Western Australia and allow Perth to establish its place as a global leader in the fusion of culture, creativity, business and technology.
Business and Law students will be more physically connected with industry than ever before, and Creative Industries students will draw from their location, and give back equally.
From Oslo to Oxford, Bologna to Boston, a central university changes the fabric of cities. Streets are more vibrant and diverse. Retailers and restaurants are busier. There is a unique essence of new life that is tangible and energising.
ECU City will bring an estimated 10,000 students and staff to Perth’s CBD from opening, growing to over 11,000 students and staff in 2030 to live, study and work in the city, improving vibrancy and stimulating the retail economy both day and night.
The work day will linger into the evening and continue through to the night.
ECU City Concept Animation
The centre of everything.
Opening to William Street Mall at Yagan Square, ECU City will offer new vibrancy through its dynamic digital media facade, and an immersive entrance that envelops Perth Busport. Activated streetscapes and lively common laneways will connect to Roe, Queen, and Wellington Streets.
ECU City will be a short walk to the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Library, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, and the State Theatre Centre. It is just metres from St Georges Terrace, and close to Elizabeth Quay.
Industry and entertainment will be quite literally at its door.
The campus will be only steps from the Kings Square commercial district, Market Grounds, and RAC Arena, with train and bus connections across the city, including a 21-minute train journey to ECU Joondalup and twice-daily trains to ECU South West.
ECU City will be a new nexus.
One of the world’s oldest learning places.
For more than two thousand generations, Whadjuk Noongar people have lived, learned and been connected to Boorloo, the place now known as Perth.
It is with great privilege that ECU has partnered with Whadjuk Noongar Elders to inform its design and develop a cultural narrative that has influenced the work of its architects. It describes what is unique about a place, the land it is on, and its people. It is steeped in ancient knowledge, and helps us connect our rich past with an exciting future.
ECU City will build upon an ancient history of learning, and will continue to create opportunities to support and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ engagement with higher education.
“It is appropriate that a new place of learning, one that will represent the future of university education, will be established on a site that has played such a significant role in the education of young Aboriginal people in another time.”
Dr Richard Walley OAM - Senior Noongar Elder and Western Australian Senior of the Year
A symphony of life in the heart of Perth.
ECU City will be the home of Founding Pianos, ECU's internationally recognised historical keyboard instrument collection, which includes 160 rare and fine instruments, featuring Australia's First Piano.
In what will be an advanced digital campus, the Founding Pianos gallery will offer a delightful analogue counterpoint, and will be part of the visible cultural experience for visitors to ECU City.
“The Founding Pianos collection is a unique and important part of international musical history. It will be prominent in the new campus building, displaying the historic instruments, and allowing them to be used in performances in a controlled environment to safeguard their future.”
Roger Watts – Director, Haworth Tompkins