A five-star luxury hotel in East Perth will be transformed into a social housing tower after the building was purchased by the state government for $105 million.

The building, a destination for stars and sporting stars, will house some of the community’s most vulnerable.

The luxury suites will be turned into 236 social and affordable homes but residents of the neighbouring tower said they were blindsided by the state’s acquisition. 

“We are all now living in fear that there’s this uncontrolled environment without any consultation, without any of the community,” Ben Stephenson from the East Perth Community Group said.

The group has attempted to meet with the housing minister but was left waiting out front today.

“The government could do a shitload better, sorry for the expression, but they could,” East Perth resident David Wilding said.

A community housing provider will be appointed to manage the property by the end of the year and tenants will start to move in following the appointment.

Their neighbours are still demanding a meeting with the housing minister. 

They’ll have their chance when the state runs a feedback session.