Scape Swanston

The gym is too old and the equipment has not been updated. The rowing machine has been broken for almost half a year. Alas. The public kitchen is pretty good! The service from the lady at the front desk is also great!

Lifts for floors 1-23 break down extremely frequently (one has broken down over 30 times this year). For 80% of the time I have lived here, there has only been one lift for floors 1-23, so it takes 5-10 minutes at peak times to enter and exit the building. No idea why they aren't fixed. Furthermore, there have been ~5 times where both lifts have broken and people are forced to take up to 23 flights of stairs

Lifts and laundry machines are broken half the time and never get fixed properly even after years of so-called "repairs". Room maintenance also takes ages to complete or is never completed at all. Comfortable place to live otherwise, but still quite pricey - especially considering the unavailability of facilities.

I really commend Scape for reserving rooms for students only right in the heart of the city in a very difficult time for rents for everyone. The place is absolutely beautiful and there are plenty of free events for everyone to participate which I would recommend students join in as well. I was fortunate to also get a very nice view of the northern suburbs, and it may be one of the few remaining apartments in the city with a striking view, especially from the gym.
However I could not say the same for everyone, as you might get a view of construction of the Metro Tunnel as some of the residents I have spoke to have talked about. This will mostly clear in 2025 as the project finishes, but it's something to keep in mind if you're planning to rent here within that timeframe.
I was disappointed in the many add-on fees that are not very transparent in the original rental fees, which includes laundry, and exit cleaning fees.
The lifts also kept breaking down, even after they were supposedly fixed. I believe that 80% of the time at least one of the lifts are not available, which really affected the experience, especially when rushing to catch a train. It also gives a sense of concern that both lifts that serve my level will break.
The notification system for misuse could also be improved as I was hit with a warning for something I did not cause early on in my stay, which was not a pleasant thing to receive while studying for exams. I asked reception and they said it is something addressed to everyone by default.
Staff at the reception has been satisfactory. I got most of what I needed and they were overall pretty friendly.
Overall it was a really pleasant experience here and I appreciate the welcoming environment it has for everyone, but with a housing crisis going on, highlighting add-on fees, reassuring residents, and having more lifts that work would improve it a lot.
Hope anyone that reads this enjoys their stay in Melbourne!

This is my home away from home now.

The unique pods (studios) in the heart of the city is what a person like me needs. I love the fact that I have got the opportunity live in the city’s skyline. Accessible everything that one wants just minutes away, Woolworths and Coles, train and tram stations, restaurants and pubs just across the road and RMIT University is again just across the road. With all these, I have found this as an ideal place to stay.

About the services, round the clock concierge who are friendly and helpful.

I would like to share some photos taken from my window.

The living environment is particularly good. They explained the reasons and reasons for wanting to quit the lease in advance. They also advanced the lease term and exempted the penalty. Thank you very much for understanding Very good dormitory. The living environment is very quiet and public security is also very good. It is highly recommended that children studying in Melbourne live here

I've booked here via Airbnb. Photos are very deceptive - we ended up getting with a disability bathroom which was not very pleasant to shower in. The bed was not comfortable as I could feel the springs in the mattress.

I had an amazing time at Scape! The rooms are a little small, but the facilities and community made up for it. It's a great location in the CBD, friendly and helpful staff, the atmosphere felt safe, and there were lots of fun social events and free food. It was easy to make friends and have weekend travel getaways. There was also a gym and free shuttle service going to and from uni that I was very grateful for! Would definitely recommend to students?

What to say about scape! The whole stay was nothing short of a brilliant experience. The staff are so helpful and go the extra mile every time, Bow, Stuart, Ben, Vernise, Kylie and everyone else were incredible. The place was always clean, we had a good size room with a fantastic view there was more than enough space and storage, the cooking facilities were of high calibre and all essentials.the bathroom was sparkling clean, which to me is very important.having the amenities like the cinema room, pool tables, table tennis and outside deck BBQ were a incredible bonus and we very much enjoyed the big screen on the Balcony.we were sad to leave at the end because of the entire experience, well done to everyone again its a class act.

Awesome living environment and extremely friendly staff. Very helpful reception staff when you come across some trouble in life. Best choice for you living in Australia!

Scape is a wonderfull home to many likeminded students. The building has a strong sense of community, and extraordinary staff. Located in the heart of Melbourne, it is easy to access any Uni campus!

This has been my student accommodation in Melbourne for 2 years now. The location is one of the best things about this place. There is even a pool table at the lobby that I go to everyday. Cool and friendly staff as well.

Scape Swanston is the best student accommodation that I have ever stayed in. I love how the place provides a really safe and conducive environment for both studying and relaxing as well as its unbeatable location – surrounded by shopping malls, restaurants and cafes and it is just opposite the tram station.

Most importantly, the staff at Scape has been a tremendous source of support and comfort to me when I encountered challenging circumstances brought about by Covid-19. As I had to return back to my home country within a few days back in March, the unexpected turn of events had been stressful for me and my husband, but I am really thankful for Boh who assured and supported us throughout the process and even allowed me to store my belongings.

Subsequently, when I had to ship back and dispose some my belongings when I could not return to Melbourne, Boh and Ross patiently advised and assisted me in sorting out all my items. Their kindness and hospitality have brought great comfort to me during this difficult time. Thank you Boh, Ross and the Scape team for being a tremendous blessing to my husband & I, for always been so prompt and patient in addressing our concerns and for going above and beyond to support us and ease our worries in the midst of uncertain and challenging circumstances. My decision to choose Scape Swanston over all the other accommodations is the best decision I have made. Thank you for everything and we will definitely be back next time!:) :)

THE WORST PLACE EVER!
DO NOT BOOK OR STAY AT A SCAPE PROPERTY EVER!
Windows DO NOT OPEN. BAD SMELL. BAD AIR.
You will regret ever signing a lease or contract in their properties. Absolutely horrible management.
Sally Picot will do anything to make you sign the contract and she is a Cunning Deceitful Manipulative person. BEWARE! I wish I could give them 0 stars!

Very convenient living area with great hospitality from the staff. Enjoying my time here and look forward to more fun group activities.

It’s great to stay here for my first year in Melbourne. All the staffs here is nice and kindness, I like here so much!

All the staff here in Scape are friendly, and I can feel Scape is my second home. Love here so much! I had a wonderful time during my study in Melbourne with Scape. If you have chance to live here, don’t forget to join day trips which are very wonderful!

Great facilities and friendly staff, offered at a good price.also located in a nice spot in the city, close to the CBD.overall good place for students to stay

My stay at Scape had been absolutely fantastic, and I'd recommend them to any family and friends who are undertaking a course in the vicinity of the CBD.

Although I echo the concerns raised by some of the other reviews with regards to the higher price point, keep in mind that ALL utilities (bar laundry) are included as part of the package. It's also situated in a prime location, where Melbourne Central and various tram stops are literally a few steps away, making shopping extremely easy. Furthermore, the building features multiple study spaces, a few which you could reserve for private study sessions with your mates (although be sure to get in early, especially before the SWOTVAC rush!), as well as a cinema and gym. Additionally, there's a multitude of events held every month, most involving free food or trips, and is a great chance to meet people and make new friends. Finally, staff are always on-site, and are generally really friendly and helpful, and is what makes Scape stand-out from other similar student accommodations in my opinion.

All in all, I'd say give Scape a try if you do plan on studying in Melbourne, as signing up with them doesn't involve jumping through hoops such as requiring references, unlike other leases. The agreement is presented in a easy-to-understand format, and the process is usually finished within the span of a day.

I would recommend scape as a best student accommodation for international students. The room is clean, safe, and staff are very friendly.