Sector
Client
Built Holdings Pty Ltd
Architect
Bates Smart
Project value
$26M
Year completed
2010
Urbanest Quay Street is a purpose-built student housing development in Sydney’s CBD, delivering 300 residential units designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality student accommodation. Strategically located near universities and public transport, the development provides a safe, convenient, and community-oriented living environment for students.
- Built on a hard, inner-city site, requiring complex staging, strict safety management, and close coordination with surrounding businesses and traffic flows.
- High-density build form designed to maximise space efficiency while meeting compliance for residential amenity, fire safety, and acoustic standards.
- Integration of student-focused communal facilities (study areas, kitchens, social spaces) with robust, durable finishes to withstand high turnover and long-term use.
- Delivered under challenging program and logistical conditions, demanding strong project management and consultant coordination.
The project successfully delivered a large-scale, high-density residential development within Sydney’s CBD, setting a new benchmark for purpose-built student accommodation at the time. Its completion contributed to the ongoing revitalisation of the Haymarket/Quay Street precinct, supporting the city’s growing student population.
ULTRA Connection
Adrian Sicari, now Managing Director of ULTRA Building Co, was Construction / Project Manager at Built Pty Ltd during the delivery of this project, demonstrating his leadership in managing complex, inner-city residential developments valued at over $25 million.

