Joondalup Twin Towers Reshape Perth's Skyline Amid Density Push

PERTH, The City of Joondalup has given the green light to a controversial $220 million twin-tower residential project, a move that will bring more than 350 new apartments to the northern corridor’s commercial heart. Sterling Developments’ “Lakeside Towers” project, approved in a special council meeting on Tuesday night, is the largest of its kind for the area and represents a significant test of the state government's urban infill policy.

This isn't just about one building. The approval comes as Perth grapples with a severe housing crisis, fueled by a resurgent mining sector and strong interstate migration. The city’s rental vacancy rate is hovering below 0.7%, and property values have surged more than any other capital city in the past year. Developers and state planning authorities argue that high-density projects near transport hubs are the only viable solution to accommodate a population forecast to grow by another half a million people before 2040.

The Lakeside Towers project will rise on a former commercial lot on Grand Boulevard, within walking distance of the Joondalup train station and Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City. It’s a textbook example of the transit-oriented development championed by the state’s Metronet program, which aims to concentrate growth around its expanding rail network. Similar, though smaller-scale, proposals are currently being debated for sites in Scarborough, near the beachfront redevelopment zone, and in Subiaco, around the old Subiaco Oval precinct.

Density Debate Heats Up

While the state government sees density as a cure for urban sprawl, the push is creating friction on the ground. The Joondalup approval followed a heated community consultation period, with local groups raising concerns about traffic congestion on already busy arteries like Shenton Avenue and the strain on public amenities. The debate echoes similar anxieties in areas like Melville and Stirling, where residents are fighting to preserve green space and neighbourhood character against multi-story apartment developments.

The numbers illustrate the pressure on buyers. With Perth’s median house price now sitting at approximately $680,000, the entry point for a freestanding home is out of reach for many. Sterling Developments is expected to market the one-bedroom apartments in its Joondalup towers starting in the mid-$500,000s, a price point aimed squarely at first-home buyers and downsizers priced out of the traditional housing market. The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) has repeatedly stated that increasing the supply of diverse housing stock is critical to addressing affordability.

The Path Ahead

With planning approval secured, Sterling Developments is expected to begin site works for Lakeside Towers in early 2027, with off-the-plan sales campaigns slated to launch before the end of this year. The project’s two-year construction timeline means the new housing supply won't offer immediate relief to the rental market, but it serves as a clear indicator of the city's future trajectory. For residents across Perth, from Wanneroo to Cockburn, the key question is no longer if density is coming, but how its arrival will be managed to ensure the city’s infrastructure and liveability keep pace.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.