About Scape
The Earth’s Best Living Company
Scape was born out of a simple idea – being a student shouldn’t mean compromising on quality. So, we have reimagined what a student’s life could look like.
Disrupting industry norms, Scape has become known for curating world-class living and learning environments for students. With stylish rooms and creative spaces, we provide a sanctuary that nurtures and shapes the minds of our future leaders. At Scape, residents have everything they need to feel safe, calm and at home while also feeling challenged, clued up and plugged in.
Our purpose
We believe that the home for our future leaders needs to be more than just a comfy bed. Sheltering them with rooms and buildings designed precisely for what they need and helping these brilliant minds take shape by introducing them to new cities, cultures, ideas and possibilities.
Shelter
At university, students will be doing some of the most important work of their lives. The place that they live needs to support them and make sure they feel safe, calm and at home. With that taken care of, they can produce incredible work, every day.
Shape
It’s also important that students feel challenged. We’ll introduce them to new eye-opening ideas. Make sure they’re clued up and plugged in to their new city and community. And give them that little bit of guidance that will make a big difference throughout university, and beyond.
Scape in Australia
Scape launched in Australia in 2013 and we have become the biggest PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation) owner and operator since our acquisition of the Atira and Urbanest Australia portfolios in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Our diverse offering and price points now means there is a Scape for everyone.
Scape has 16,000 beds in 33 buildings across Australia’s four key educational precincts – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. We also have 12 buildings in planning and development which will bring the portfolio to 22,000 beds by 2024.
We employ over 500 people and are the largest investor in Australia’s higher education sector with A$6 billion in capital committed since 2018.
Scape has also diversified its offering to include Scape Living – a new way for students and working professionals to live centrally, affordably and easily.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is purpose-built and purpose-driven. We have people, the planet and a deep sense of purpose at our core. You can read all about our ESG efforts.
Sustainability at Scape Meet the team
Volleyball King. Dad.
Craig Carracher AM,
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman
Craig co-founded Scape Australia in 2013. After a partnership at Minter Ellison Legal, he became General Counsel of Consolidated Press Holdings. Craig then made the move to the investment world, first as CEO of Arctic Capital and then as co-founder of Telopea Capital Partners. After seeing the importance and potential of student living, Craig took on the role of Executive Chairman at PAD Student Living, co-founding Scape Australia soon after. Craig was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022 for his services to Volleyball.
Craig co-founded Scape Australia in 2013. After a partnership at Minter Ellison Legal, he became General Counsel of Consolidated Press Holdings. Craig then made the move to the investment world, first as CEO of Arctic Capital and then as co-founder of Telopea Capital Partners. After seeing the importance and potential of student living, Craig took on the role of Executive Chairman at PAD Student Living, co-founding Scape Australia soon after. Craig was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2022 for his services to Volleyball.
Rugby League Fanatic. Aspiring Grill Master. Father of Two.
Stephen Gaitanos,
Co-Founder and Managing Director
Stephen co-founded Scape Australia in 2013. He built up his expertise in investment banking and real estate investing with positions at Macquarie Bank, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley before co-founding Telopea Capital Partners. He moved into the world of student accommodation as a non-executive director of PAD Student Living before co-founding Scape Australia soon after.
Stephen co-founded Scape Australia in 2013. He built up his expertise in investment banking and real estate investing with positions at Macquarie Bank, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley before co-founding Telopea Capital Partners. He moved into the world of student accommodation as a non-executive director of PAD Student Living before co-founding Scape Australia soon after.
Sneaker Enthusiast. Mother of Three.
Anouk
Darling, CEO
Anouk is renowned as a disruptive thinker, strategically conceptual and highly creative. She has a global outlook and commercial creativity that has seen her transform brands and companies in luxury retail and publishing. Think Louis Vuitton, Conde Nast and Oroton Group. Anouk was the CEO and later Chairperson of creative agency, Moon Communications Group and currently sits on numerous Boards imparting her creative genius and strategic thinking. Anouk joined Scape as CEO in 2020 at the highly "unprecedented” time, navigating the company through a global pandemic and advocating for the return of international students to Australia.
Anouk is renowned as a disruptive thinker, strategically conceptual and highly creative. She has a global outlook and commercial creativity that has seen her transform brands and companies in luxury retail and publishing. Think Louis Vuitton, Conde Nast and Oroton Group. Anouk was the CEO and later Chairperson of creative agency, Moon Communications Group and currently sits on numerous Boards imparting her creative genius and strategic thinking. Anouk joined Scape as CEO in 2020 at the highly "unprecedented” time, navigating the company through a global pandemic and advocating for the return of international students to Australia.