The demolition plans reported as stalled in October 2021 did not remain stalled: Stirling Towers at 49–67 Smith Street has since been demolished, and an approved 109-home replacement was ready to begin construction as of August 2025. Later construction progress and an opening date have not been established by the cited updates.
What happened after the plans stalled?
In October 2021, PerthNow reported that demolition and redevelopment plans for the vacant Highgate tower had stalled while approvals remained unresolved. The later record shows a different outcome: the City of Vincent says demolition received approval in May 2024, followed by Western Australian Planning Commission approval for the replacement development on 5 November 2024. By 12 August 2025, Tetris Capital representative Brent De Jong said the demolition was complete and the project was ready to commence construction.
The City of Vincent’s project page had earlier described demolition as being in its final stages, noted that a building permit had been approved, and forecast construction to start in the third quarter of 2025. That forecast was a projection at the time, not confirmation that construction began on schedule. The later August statement confirms readiness to start, but does not establish whether work subsequently commenced. PerthNow’s 2021 report, the City of Vincent project page and the 12 August 2025 government transcript document these stages.
What is planned for the site?
The approved development is a 109-dwelling housing project. The City of Vincent lists 42 one-bedroom and 67 two-bedroom homes, comprising 78 social homes, 22 affordable homes and 9 specialist disability homes. The disability housing includes onsite accommodation for overnight assistance. The development is planned as three- and four-storey buildings.
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| Approved homes | Number | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Social | 78 | Part of the 109-home total |
| Affordable | 22 | Part of the 109-home total |
| Specialist disability | 9 | Includes onsite overnight assistance accommodation |
| Bedroom mix | 42 one-bedroom; 67 two-bedroom | Totals 109 dwellings |
De Jong, speaking for Tetris Capital at the August 2025 government doorstop, said: “Once standing behind us, the former Stirling Towers buildings have now being successfully demolished.” He described the planned replacement as “109 social, affordable and disability apartments in a three and four storey configuration,” intended to fit better within the surrounding Highgate landscape while adding housing. The project details and approval status are set out on the City of Vincent project page; the remarks are in the government transcript.
Who approved and is delivering the project?
The site is state-owned. The City of Vincent describes the development as public works and says it is not the determining authority; the Western Australian Planning Commission approved the replacement development. A planning report identifies Tetris Capital and Community Housing Ltd as the selected consortium. The available planning information therefore distinguishes the state approval role from the local council’s role and identifies the consortium associated with the project.
The arrangement is described in the City of Vincent project information and the planning report for Lot 501, 49–67 Smith Street.
Why did the empty tower concern residents?
PerthNow reported in October 2021 that residents had complained about vandalism, broken glass, noise and security around the vacant building. The article said the last tenants had moved out by 2014. These are reports about conditions at that time, not evidence of current conditions.
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That report described the former tower as built in 1970, 12 storeys tall and 38 metres high, and as containing 79 Homeswest family units. Those figures describe the demolished building, not the replacement. PerthNow’s 28 October 2021 account records the historical description and residents’ concerns.
Timeline: from stalled plans to demolition
- 1970: PerthNow reported that Stirling Towers was built.
- By 2014: PerthNow reported the last tenants had moved out and the building had been vacant since then.
- 28 October 2021: PerthNow reported that demolition and redevelopment plans had stalled amid unresolved approvals.
- February 2022: The planning report says the State Government announced its intention to redevelop the site as a social and affordable built-to-rent project.
- May 2024: The City of Vincent says demolition received approval.
- 5 November 2024: The Western Australian Planning Commission approved the replacement development, according to the City of Vincent.
- 2025: The City of Vincent reported that demolition was in its final stages, a building permit had been approved, and construction was forecast to start in the third quarter.
- 12 August 2025: Tetris Capital’s Brent De Jong said demolition was complete and the project was ready to commence construction.
Has the new housing opened?
The cited updates establish demolition completion and construction readiness as of 12 August 2025, but do not establish whether construction later began, whether the homes have opened, or when residents will move in. The latest confirmed status here is the August 2025 statement; no later progress or occupancy date is established by these sources.
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