ECU City is one of the three campuses of Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia. Designed by Lyons, [1] [2] the city campus is situated immediately west of Yagan Square, above the Perth Busport and near Perth railway station. The campus will be opened in February 2026. Once complete, the Campus will accommodate more than 10,000 staff and students. [3]
The 11-storey 6-hectare (15-acre) campus was built on 0.8 hectares (1.98 acres) of land. [4] The campus features extensive media training and performing arts facilities, public galleries and event spaces, and serves as the home to Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, one of Australia's major arts training institutions, along with its School of Business and Law, School of Arts and Humanities with the WA Screen Academy and Broadcasting [5] [3]
On the exterior of the building, a huge network of 2,800 custom LED fixtures is established, illuminating Yagan Square with video displays. [6]
The city campus project was first suggested at a Perth city summit in 2017. [7]
In 2021, the city campus design was unveiled. [8]
AS a part of the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal, [8] [9] A total budget of AUD $853 million was devoted for the entire development of the city campus project, [7] with the Australian Government committing $294 million, the Western Australian Government investing $199 million and ECU contributing $360 million. [10]
The reception to ECU city are in general positive but there are also some concerns arose.
A few ministers expressed positive attitude to the city campus project, citing economic benefits to the city. [10] [11]
Patrick Gorman, in 2021, suggested that offering degrees over there might be too expensive for many worthy prospective students. However, he described the campus as a "world class campus" and “nation-building project” in 2025. [7]
In December 2025, it was reported that Asbestos was found in 14 fire doors at the city campus, but ECU will not replace it until teaching breaks. A government exemption has been obtained. [12]