Roberts Co confirms Perth move

Perth is set to gain a new tier one builder, following the entry of Sydney-based Roberts Co to the market.

Roberts Co has struck a deal with Edge Visionary Living to build the developer's $310 million apartment project The Dunes in Scarborough, after months of speculation.

The move comes at a time when Western Australia is in desperate need of more builders, particularly in the tier one, or large contract, space.

Edge Visionary Living managing director Gavin Hawkins said Roberts Co’s appointment has come after extensive negotiations to navigate a market challenged by a lack of quality builders available for large scale projects in WA.

“Roberts Co have undergone a period of significant growth over the past five years, delivering landmark projects across residential, industrial, hospitality and commercial sectors in the eastern states,” he said.

“Our development team has been working collaboratively with Roberts Co for an extended period, and we are thrilled that this highly regarded national building company has chosen both Edge and this world-class project to establish their presence in Western Australia.”

The Dunes comprises two towers of 17 and 15 storeys and 226 apartments on West Coast Highway and was initially flagged to commence construction last year.

The development, which is more than 50 per cent presold, is now due for completion in 2026, with the builders to start work later this month. 

Roberts Co chief executive Matt Bourne said the company had expanded its presence in WA this year, ahead of announcing its first project in this state.

“As an 100 per cent Australian owned builder, we are proud to continue the Roberts family legacy in Western Australia,” Mr Bourne said in a statement.

“Over the past 12 months, we are proud to have grown Roberts Co’s headcount by nearly 20 per cent, including multiple key appointments in Western Australia to spearhead The Dunes project.

“We look forward to our expansion into Perth and building our team over the coming months.”

Edge has also commenced work at its $70 million Crawley apartment project Broadway on the Bay, with the developer understood to have brought the construction work in house for that development.

The company also plans to bring its South Perth Lumiere project to construction in the near future, as well as its Cottesloe development OBH.

Business News understands that Roberts Co intends to build OBH, but Edge would not confirm this.

Earlier this year, Mr Hawkins said Built was lined up to construct the $120 million Lumiere project, but the builder pulled out of apartments.

Business News has covered the issues facing the construction sector extensively, including flagging Roberts Co’s and John Holland’s return to the market in August.

Before today’s announcement, Multiplex was the state’s dominant tier one builder.

The global company is currently constructing Blackburne’s The Grove apartments, its only current residential development in WA.

Multiplex founder the late John Roberts is the father of Andrew Roberts, who established Roberts Co with joint venture partner construction group Impresa Pizzarotti.