Table of Contents
1. About Us
2. Our Services
3. Partner With Us
4. Our Track Record
1. About Us
At Essence Communities, our vision is to build inclusive communities for inspired living. You will find us in all major centers across Australia maximising the value and profitability of every property we manage.
BTR Management
Our business operates in all major centres across Australia and New Zealand, providing extensive geographic coverage to effectively serve our clients in their investment ventures.
Headquartered in Brisbane with head office staff numbering seventy-two (72) and 1,500+ staff in total.
Essence Communities manages Build to Rent properties in Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney.
Since 2019, Essence Communities has gained momentum and is one of the few operators in Build to Rent across Australia.
Our Valued Partners
Long term partnerships are part of our DNA.
We are proud to have maintained relationships spanning over a decade with some of Australia’s leading private and public institutions.
Every partnership is unique, and we tailor our approach to suit — offering flexibility, a scalable and adaptable tech stack, institutionalgrade compliance, and exceptional client retention built on trust and performance.
Our Growth Story
Founded in Sydney, the UniLodge brand launched in 1996 with UniLodge on Broadway. 1996
UniLodge entered the Melbourne market in 1997 with UniLodge on Swanston and then UniLodge on Margaret in Brisbane. 1997
By 2006, UniLodge expanded into New Zealand and on-campus student accommodation partnering with leading universities. 2006
Essence Hotels & Apartments launched by UniLodge to focus on the growing Medi-Stay market. 2011
UniLodge now in Adelaide and Darwin with a portfolio of 50 properties and 11,000 beds. 2015
2021
Essence entered the Brisbane market.
UniLodge added The University of Sydney, La Trobe and University of Canterbury, managing over 13,000 beds.
Built on Success
Established in 1995, UniLodge Australia is the leading operator of purpose-built student accommodation for the past 27 years.
Essence Communities added to the UniLodge Group, bringing expertise and experience to the rapidly growing Build to Rent market. 2019
UniLodge and Essence has over 40,000+ beds, across 130+ properties, and 1,500+ staff and further increasing our offering.
Looking Ahead
We continue to grow with an aggressive expansion plan that continues to shape tomorrow’s living sector.
Leveraging the length of standing and expertise of UniLodge, Essence Hotels and Apartments formed in 2011 with its first property in Brisbane.
Essence Communities was born in 2019 as an independent Build to Rent operator.
Essence Communities has grown to be a market leader in providing the best bespoke Build to Rent property management systems. management solutions based on proven systems and operational procedures, with unrivalled expertise and scale.
Your go-to choice for Build to Rent management
Our Leadership Team Results and Reputation
Peter Bates
Executive Chairman
After serving as Chief Executive Officer of the UniLodge group for 12 years, Peter was appointed as Executive Chairman in 2018. He currently focuses on new business, providing valuable assistance to investors in making feasibility decisions and optimising returns.
Chris Webb
Chief Financial Officer
Chris is an accomplished financial leader boasting more than two decades of experience in senior roles. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws from the University of Queensland and trained as a Chartered Accountant in corporate tax training at PwC. Chris has proven himself to be a reliable asset for many major companies.
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Tomas Johnsson
Chief Executive Officer
Tomas was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer in 2018, bringing with him over 25 years of experience in senior management roles. In recognition of his expertise, Tomas was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Student Accommodation Council by The Property Council of Australia in 2022. Additionally, he is a proud member of the Student Accommodation Association.
Matt Row
Chief Operating Officer
With more than two decades of experience in management and operations, Matt joined the UniLodge Group in 2017 and is responsible for managing all of operations across Australia and New Zealand. Before that, Matt was the Chief Operating Officer for Retire Australia, the largest private retirement village owner-operator in the country.
Grant Waldeck
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
As an accomplished marketing professional who brings a wealth of experience, Grant joined the UniLodge Group in 2017. Prior, he spent two decades with distinguished international blue-chip companies, such as Flight Centre, Queensland Rail and Compare the Market Australia, and held the esteemed role of Marketing Director for Domino’s Pizza Indonesia.
Vicki Nagle Chief People Officer
Vicki joined the UniLodge Group as Chief People Officer in 2019. She is a highly experienced professional, having dedicated the past 20 years to developing her expertise in human resources. Her impressive career has seen her travel across Australia, the United Kingdom and even the Maldives.
Lizzie Wheeler
Executive General Manager
With a background spanning over fifteen years across residential, retail, commercial and hospitality projects, Lizzie was appointed Executive General Manager in 2022 to oversee the leasing and operations of the growing Essence Communities portfolio. Her impressive breadth of expertise enables her to offer a unique value-add service to all stakeholders.
We believe in leading by example
Which is why we’ve assembled a leadership team that has the experience, focus and determination to lead both our company and employees to ongoing success.
Our Personalised Account Management Approach for BTR
Lizzie Wheeler
Executive General Manager
Essence Communities
Adam Deverson
Operations Manager
Essence Communities
• The Essence Communities Executive General Manager takes executive responsibility for all client accounts.
• Marketing managed centrally with a dedicated Marketing Manager assigned to each property.
• All clients and Investment Managers will have access to the head-office based Essence Commercial team for all data analytics, rent scrapes and market comps including occupancy stats.
• An accountant is dedicated to each account, taking responsibility for the financials, budgeting and reporting for the portfolio.
We don’t just manage project, we manage outcomes
Experience the Essence Difference
Robust financial backing
Boasting a strong balance sheet, we’re able to financially stand behind our commitments.
Flexible service delivery
We recognise that your needs are unique, so we’ll work with you to tailor flexible services and solutions to suit your requirements.
The best technology
Our operating platforms utilise the best technology in the market, providing an exceptional client and customer experience.
Proven operational success
Having mobilised over 15,000 apartments in just three years, our efficiency and effectiveness and depth of operational expertise is self evident.
White label operations
We are happy to manage properties under your brand, allowing for seamless integration with your existing branding and marketing strategies.
Community curation
Our wealth of experience in curating communities ensures tenants feel a sense of belonging and satisfaction in their living spaces.
Owner-centric approach
We prioritise the interests of property owners and their investments, focusing on optimising the long-term value of their assets.
In-depth market knowledge
The combination of local market knowledge and in-house marketing skillsets enables us to quickly lease properties at optimal rates.
2. Our Services
At Essence Communities, we provide comprehensive solutions that focus on positive resident experiences, well-managed and attractive properties, and maximised investor returns.
Our Services Tailored Solutions
Design and Feasibility Consultancy
Our team has helped deliver thousands of apartments over 27 years. We will work with developers and provide feasibility input as well as design input, balancing cost and return, and ensuring the end user is in focus. We will model your revenues, costs and leasing ramp up with accuracy to provide comfort to investors and lenders.
Property Pre-Opening and Mobilisation Services Specialised Marketing Services
Our approach revolves around meticulous preparation and execution in the lead-up to a property’s practical completion. We recruit and train our team, manage defects and builder handover, oversee commissioning, and develop marketing, pricing and leasing strategies to ensure a strong start for the property and set the stage for long-term success.
Once the pre-opening and commissioning phase is complete, our marketing machine clicks into full gear. Our approach to marketing and lease-up focuses on data-driven strategies and tailored initiatives to attract potential residents, optimise occupancy rates and maximise rental income.
Our Property Management Expertise
Upon finding the right tenants through targeted marketing activities our property management services come into play. In this space, we have a range of services to provide a comprehensive solution that focuses on creating a positive resident experience, maintaining a well-managed and attractive property, and maximising investor returns.
Community Curation and Interaction Affordable Housing Management
Our corporate vision is to build inclusive communities. This has been our DNA for over 30 years. Whether BTR or PBSA our group is focused on the experience our residents have in any property we manage.
While Essence is not a Community Housing Provider, or a housing not-for-profit, we have been approved already by the Queensland Government to manage an affordable pilot scheme. In addition to this, Essence Communities has years of experience managing affordable housing programmes, such as NRAS where we manage eligibility, means test tenants, manage subsidy payment and provide comprehensive stakeholder reporting.
Our Pillars of Success
Essence Communities understands the 5 key pillars for a successful Multi-Family project and how to leverage this knowledge to drive the financial outcomes to enable MultiFamily projects to be successful in Australia.
Target Demographic
Understanding and identifying the target demographic is crucial for the success of a Multi-Family project. Identifying the largest population cohort and what will attract them to Multi-Family is fundamental to the comparative advantage of this asset class.
Market Positioning
It is critical to know the type and quality of the product to attract and retain the target demographic. Essence Communities through demographic analysis, can assist determining the markets propensity to pay for rent and any additional opt in services
Design Efficiencies
Design efficiencies can drive customer satisfaction and asset valuation and financial performance. Essence can work with you to develop a suitable design proposition for the property and tenants.
Additional Services
Additional opt in services are a key element of the Multi-Family product offering that helps provide a comparative advantage over the private rental market as well as additional income opportunities. We will work with you to develop a suitable array of services for the asset.
Financial Optimisation
Essence will work with you to ensure the property achieves and increases rental rates, establishes a stable tenancy base and minimises property management fees whilst maximising additional revenue opportunities.
3. Partner
Contact us to learn more about how we can provide experienced, flexible and innovative Build to Rent management solutions.
Let’s get things moving
Here are the steps to take from here:
Connect with our team and let us get the partnership process underway. 1 2 3 4
Get in touch with us to organise an introduction and discovery session.
We’ll then put together a detailed proposal based on your requirements. Once the proposal is finalised, we’ll assemble our skilled team to commence the rollout of your asset.
We’ll provide you with ongoing property management services and regular reports, providing you with the peace of mind that comes from knowing your property is in good hands.
4. Track Record
Over the past 3 years, we have successfully mobilised, transitioned and opened approximately 17,000 beds and apartments across the Built to Rent (BTR) and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sectors.
Indi Sydney, Pitt Street
Client: Investa / Oxford
Apartments: 234
Operations Start: November 2024
Time to Stabilisation: Currently leasing
Project Features:
▪ Single residential tower atop a major CBD metro stop
▪ Access to transport
▪ Resident amenities including gym, rooftop barbecue and outdoor cinema were added post-launch
▪ Developed and implemented technology solution
▪ Developed and implemented community program
▪ Currently implementing: Indi “white-label” brand.
Realm Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
Client: Blackstone
Apartments: 200
Operations Commencement: July 2021
Time to Stabilisation: 11 Months
Project Features:
▪ Build-to-Sell project adapted to BTR
▪ No lead-in time to leasing. Standing start for operational team
▪ Leasing period overlaid by capex works on site, cleaning and preparation
▪ No furniture packages available initially
▪ Logistical staggering of move-ins challenging
▪ Supported the development of the Realm brand, and launched in market
▪ Supported the delivery of BTR amenities and created services
▪ Developed and implemented technology solution
▪ Developed and implemented community program.
Realm Caulfield, Melbourne
Client: Blackstone
Apartments: 437
Operations Start: November 2022
Time to Stabilisation: 18 months
Project Features:
▪ Multi-tower (8) community atop retail podium
▪ Extensive retail anchored by Coles
▪ Monash University – student and academic appeal
▪ Significant communal facilities
▪ Extensive carpark and storage
▪ Supported development with tech advise
▪ Delayed handover due to Pro-Build collapse
▪ Leasing while property in construction was challenging
▪ Developed and implemented technology solution
▪ Developed and implemented community program
▪ Successful lease up, ahead of competitors, outperforming market.
Dickson Village, Canberra
Client: Aware Super
Apartments: 140
Operations Start: November 2023
Time to Stabilisation: 10 months
Project Features:
▪ Single residential tower atop a large format supermarket
▪ Access to transport
▪ Acquired as a completed asset ready to launch
▪ Fast mobilisation
▪ Resident amenities including gym, rooftop barbecue and outdoor cinema were added post-launch
▪ Developed and implemented technology solution
▪ Developed and implemented community program
▪ Currently developing future brand direction.
Wentworth Quarter, Sydney
Client: City Freehold
Apartments: 210
Operations Start: August 2024
Time to Stabilisation: Currently 40% leased
Project Features:
▪ First BTR project for City Freehold
▪ Stage 1 of a multi-stage development
▪ Resident amenities including gym, rooftop barbecue and outdoor cinema were added post-launch
▪ Developed and implemented technology solution
▪ Developed and implemented community program.
We’re passionate about personalising our approach to support your growth and connection needs. Contact us to learn more about how we can provide experienced, flexible and innovative Build to Rent management solutions.
www.essencecommunities.com.au info@essencecommunities.com.au