The UniLodge Group manages a diverse portfolio of over 130+ properties and hotels with a footprint in every city in mainland Australia and New Zealand.
Over 27 years experience managing large-scale accommodation assets, we optimise tenancy for owners and investors by leveraging our fully integrated marketing platform and property management system.
Within our properties, we also create thriving communities by engaging residents through our formal residential life program and myriad of organised activities.
WHAT DRIVES US UNILODGE BRANDS
FROM THE BEGINNING
The UniLodge brand launched in 1996 with UniLodge on Broadway in Sydney. Our goal – to become the market leader in student accommodation.
With an aggressive expansion plan, UniLodge entered the Melbourne market in 1997 with UniLodge on Swanston and the following year launched in Brisbane with UniLodge on Margaret
By 2006, UniLodge had expanded into New Zealand, and is now managing on-campus student accommodation with the leading universities. Beds under management had grown to more than 4,000.
In 2011 UniLodge launched Essence Hotels & Apartments with the first property in Chermside. This marked our entry into the Hotel and Serviced Apartments market, and the growing Medi-Stay category.
By 2015 bed numbers had grown to over 11,000. UniLodge was now in Adelaide and Darwin and had 50 properties in the portfolio.
In 2019 UniLodge added Essence
Communities to our house of brands, bringing our expertise and experience to the rapidly growing Build to Rent market.
In 2021 Essence Communities entered the Brisbane market. UniLodge added
The University of Sydney, La Trobe University and University of Canterbury to manage more than 13,000 beds on behalf of major universities.
Today, UniLodge has over 40,000 beds in our ever-increasing offering of student accommodation, and more than 1200+ energetic staff
UNILODGE GROUP PORTFOLIO GROWTH
PURPOSE BUILT STUDENT ACCOMMODATION BY OPERATOR (AUSTRALIA
THE ROAD AHEAD
We have ambitious goals for the future, and are confident in achieving them.
Our strategy is to grow within existing sectors and find new markets where our knowledge, technical capabilities and processes in large-scale property management will put us in strong competitive positions.
Our Commitment to Investors and Owners
As property management partners, our objectives are closely aligned with owners and investors. That is, to drive the greatest returns with the greatest efficiencies. Using our 27 years of experience, we deliver maximum occupancy at optimal rates, to generate the highest revenue for the assets.
Our industry leading marketing and sales platform assists us to maximise occupancies.
Our comprehensive understanding of the markets, target cohorts and affiliate partnerships has ensured UniLodge consistently delivers above market levels.
Our sustained growth over the past two decades is testimony to our ability to generate the right products for the market and provide the appropriate services to build thriving communities. Our ongoing market analysis and preparation of business plans ensures we meet the high expectations of our customers, property owners and investors.
WE ARE
UniLodge is Australia’s largest provider of student accommodation, and our mission is to help students thrive whilst delivering optimal outcomes for owners and investors. We have properties in the best locations across Australia and New Zealand so residents can get the most from their experience and their studies.
Our residents come from all walks of life and from all around the world. Whether they want to immerse themselves in the culture, or be close to campus, the choice is theirs. With over 130 properties to choose from everyone can find their perfect home.
Our residents' lives are made easy thanks to the on-site facilities, convenient locations and comprehensive services provided by our safe and supportive property management teams.
Purpose-Built
Student Accommodation
We provide students with everything they need to live independently and to be able to study hard.
• Fully-furnished apartments
• Self-contained studio apartments with kitchen and bathroom
• Quiet study spaces
• Communal kitchens and dining areas
• Courtyards, BBQ facilities, lounges, theatre rooms and games rooms
• Security cameras and swipe-card access
WE ARE
SOCIAL
To provide residents with lifelong friendships and connections through social interactions and local experiences, whilst enabling community belonging.
ACADEMIC
To support residents through their study experience so that they can achieve academic and personal success; including degree attainment, improved career prospects and future employability.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
To encourage positive mental and physical personal health and assist with leisure pursuits amongst the broader community.
Community
The physical and emotional wellbeing of all our residents is of the utmost importance. With security, safety, convenience and support provided by UniLodge, students are free to focus on their studies and broadening their social networks.
We offer advice on finding academic support, and we’re always on hand to make sure residents are healthy and happy.
Our Residential Life Program helps students settle into their new lifestyle. It gives them the opportunity to make new friends, and explore their surroundings like a local.
COMMUNITY
To promote a sense of community connection and responsibility and engage residents in a range of socially responsible and sustainable practices.
CULTURAL
To assist in the development of cultural competency - the understanding and appreciation of human differences and to encourage social responsibility.
WE ARE
Student Living by UniLodge reaches value-conscious students who don’t need our full suite of services.
Student Living properties are close to major education institutions and perfect for independently minded students.
LEADING BRANDS AND FLEXIBLE PRODUCT OFFERING
The most recognised student accommodation brand in Australia and New Zealand, backed by clearly defined standards
Residential Life Program
Fully furnished rooms and apartments
Communal areas and study rooms available
100% Internet enabled building
Student-only residents
100% on-site management
24/7 on-site presence
Secure building with restricted access
A collection of bespoke properties for more independent student living
Leveraging the UniLodge brand, distribution, and corporate services
Quality support by the UniLodge operating platform
Flexible product delivery to suit local demand
Service offering designed to meet specific target market needs
Suits high yield building design
Efficient business models to meet investor needs
Can be fully or partially furnished rooms and apartments
Suitable for hybrid operating models
Our Services
UniLodge offers a full spectrum of student accommodation services. These have been carefully refined over many years to deliver maximum benefit for both students and investors alike.
WE ARE
Essence
Hotels & Apartments capture travellers from the leisure, business and medicalstay markets. We currently manage two properties in Brisbane and have just launched our first ever blended hotel in Melbourne, providing options for hotel stays, flexible co-living and student accommodation.
Essence Apartments Chermside
Located in the heart of Chermside, Essence Apartments is 10 minutes' drive to the Brisbane Airport and CBD. These fully-furnished serviced apartments have all the facilities of a modern hotel and provide direct access to The Prince Charles Hospital and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Northside for those requiring accommodation close to these medical facilities.
Essence Suites Taringa
This four-star, boutique hotel has 63 luxuriously appointed suites, as well as state-of-the-art meeting rooms and conference facilities. Westside Private Hospital is located on levels 1 to 3 providing guests direct access to their facilities.
Essence Hotel Carlton
This new accommodation model that blends hotel rooms, short-to-mediumterm stays and student accommodation with the relaunch of its revitalised Essence Hotel Carlton. The property is located at 609 Swanston Street in one of Melbourne's popular suburbs, Carlton and will aim to create a sense of community with the mix of students, short to medium term hotel guests and tenants.
Essence Communities is our Build to Rent brand and the property management experts in the financial optimisation of large scale assets.
Using our back office scale, experience, technology and systems, we manage properties with great efficiency to ensure consistent annual rental increases, reduced project management costs and additional value-added service offerings.
5 Pillars of Success
Target Demographic Analysis
Identifying the best fit
target demographic is critical for the success of a Multi-Family project.
Market Positioning
Through deep analysis of the surrounding market, we help determine the project's optimal rent and any additional opt-in services suitable for the target cohort.
Design Efficiencies
Our experience in assisting investors to optimise their designs also helps drive customer satisfaction, asset valuation and financial performance.
Additional Services
We work with developers and owners to provide opt-in services that create a competitive advantage over the private rental market, as well as incremental income opportunities.
Financial Optimisation
We help ensure each property achieves increases in rental rates, a stable tenancy base, and minimal property management fees.
Our Services
Market planning
Tenancy management
Legislative requirements assistance
Facilities management
Reporting
Administration and record keeping
Pre-opening mobilisation
Recruitment
Health & safety
Financial reconciliations
SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM
PETER BATES
Peter Bates joined UniLodge in September 2006 as the Chief Executive Officer. Since he joined UniLodge, with his expertise in project management, project delivery, business management and finance has seen him oversee growth of the UniLodge portfolio from 3,500 beds to over 31,000+ beds under management. A civil engineer by profession, Peter graduated from the University of Queensland.
He started his career with the construction arm of Lend Lease, Civil & Civic in 1987 in Brisbane and enjoyed a 19-year career with Lend Lease. Peter’s time with Lend Lease took him to many locations in Australia and into Asia where he spent nine years in Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai in senior management roles.
TOMAS JOHNSSON Chief Executive Officer
Tomas Johnsson joined UniLodge in September 2018 as the Chief Executive Officer. He has over 25 years’ experience in senior management roles in the tourism industry specialising in accommodation.
Prior to joining UniLodge, Tomas was the Chief Operating Officer of the Mantra Group, and was responsible for Operations, Sales, Marketing, Revenue, Distribution and Digital functions across the Group. Tomas has also held senior management roles with General Property Trust including Sheraton Four Points
Darling Harbour, Ayers Rock Resort and Voyages Resorts, as well as Mirvac and Rydges Hotels.
Tomas successfully completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2016 and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Prior board positions include Accommodation Association of Australia, Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association and HOTA, Home of the Arts. Tomas previously served as an expert member, Council for International Education and is currently Deputy Chair of the Student Accommodation Council by The Property Council of Australia in 2022.
CHRIS WEBB Chief Financial Officer
Chris has more than 20 years’ experience in a diverse range of senior financial, commercial and leadership roles and joined UniLodge in June 2018 as Chief Financial Officer. Chris is particularly passionate about building strong teams and enabling business growth.
Chris was previously Chief Financial Officer at RetireAustralia and prior to that held senior commercial roles as a consultant on major mining and infrastructure projects at Rio Tinto, BHP and Newcrest, as well as spending a number of years at QIC in equity research covering a broad range of market sectors.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland. He trained as a Chartered Accountant at PwC in Corporate Tax and is a Fellow of Finsia.
VICKI NAGLE Chief People Officer
Vicki Nagle was appointed Chief People Officer in March 2019. Vicki has over 20 years’ human resources experience in hospitality, construction, manufacturing and wholesaling. Her career has taken her throughout Australia, the United Kingdom and the Maldives.
Vicki’s passion is enabling people to achieve their career goals and drive success in the business. She is excited about the growth opportunities in her new role, and the chance to coach managers and her team to build even greater capability at UniLodge.
Vicki is currently completing a Graduate Certificate in Employment Relations. She also holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Human Resources.
MATT ROW Chief Operating Officer
Matt Row joined UniLodge in March 2017 and is responsible for the management of all of UniLodge’s operations in Australia and NZ.
GRANT WALDECK Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
Grant Waldeck joined UniLodge in September 2017.
He has a wealth of international experience with blue chip brands, having delivered multi-channel marketing strategies for Flight Centre, Queensland Rail, Compare the Market Australia and, most recently, Domino’s Pizza Indonesia – in the role of Marketing Director.
A hands-on creative thinker with expertise in social media, digital and direct marketing, PR and branding, Grant has a proven track record in bringing big ideas to life.
He has a Bachelor of Psychology degree from The University of Western Australia and an MBA, majoring in Marketing, from Curtin Graduate School of Business.
He has over 20 years’ management experience in the construction, vocational training and property industries. Prior to joining UniLodge, Matt was the Chief Operating Officer for RetireAustralia, the country’s largest private retirement village operator in Australia.
He has also previously held the positions of Business Services Manager for Heritage Pacific and Meridien, as well as being General Manager for a large registered training organisation and group training company.
Matt is currently the Vice President of the Student Accommodation Association and is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders.
