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A $450 million student accommodation tower is taking shape on North Terrace, with the 31-storey development set to bring almost 1,000 new beds, plus a cinema, pickleball court, 24/7 gym and moonlight cinema, to the heart of Adelaide.
Construction is advancing on 88 North Terrace, which will deliver 979 beds beside Adelaide University’s City West campus and the growing BioMed City precinct when it opens in 2028.
More than 95 per cent of the accommodation will be made up of private, self-contained studios, each featuring a kitchenette, ensuite bathroom and queen-size bed.
Beyond the rooms, the tower is being designed with a major focus on shared lifestyle spaces.
Residents will have access to a cinema, 24/7 gym, yoga studio, music and media room, study spaces, social lounges, café and communal kitchens.
An outdoor deck overlooking the historic Trinity Church precinct will also feature BBQ facilities, a pickleball court and moonlight cinema.
Developed by 1835 Property and Marlborough Capital, delivered by Synergy Construct and set to be operated by UniLodge, the project is expected to become one of Australia’s largest purpose-built student accommodation towers.
The development is currently ahead of schedule, with the building’s jump form now rising above the neighbouring church precinct.
The project is being developed in response to growing demand for student accommodation in Adelaide, particularly among international students.
According to StudyAdelaide, South Australia recorded 57,000 full-year international student enrolments in December 2025, with international education contributing around $3 billion to the state each year.
Adelaide University has also climbed from 82nd to 79th in the QS World University Rankings, remaining among the world’s top 100 universities following the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.
1835 Property managing director Jason Di Iulio said demand for purpose-built accommodation close to Adelaide’s university campuses had “never been clearer”.
“88 North Terrace is being built to meet that demand,” Jason said.
“It will deliver outstanding student living while carefully restoring one of the city’s most important heritage precincts and helping to ease pressure on the private rental market.”
The project is expected to move around 1,000 students out of Adelaide’s broader housing market, while supporting more than 350 direct and indirect jobs during construction.
While the new tower will bring a striking contemporary addition to North Terrace, a significant part of the project will focus on restoring the historic buildings surrounding it.
Trinity Church, Adelaide’s first church, which opened in 1838, will undergo extensive heritage restoration alongside the Parish Hall and Delbridge House.
A new church administration building will also be constructed, with the redevelopment marking the first time the entire precinct has been fully vacated since 1838.
Senior Pastor Paul Harrington said the project would help strengthen the church’s connection with the surrounding city and university precinct.
“We see this partnership to develop our site as a wonderful opportunity to enhance our ministry to the people of the City of Adelaide,” he said.
The development will also introduce a new public piazza linking the precinct with North Terrace.
Its location will place residents within easy reach of Adelaide University, Flinders University’s expanding City Campus and the broader BioMed City precinct, making it particularly well positioned for students studying medicine, health and life sciences.
StudyAdelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said high-quality student accommodation played an important role in Adelaide’s appeal as an international study destination.
“Landmark developments such as 88 North Terrace strengthen our city’s appeal by providing students with more choice and greater confidence when planning their move to Australia,” Jane said.
The development will also include around 129 publicly accessible car parks, up from the 80 previously available on the site.
The existing Adelaide City of Music mural will also live on, with the development team working with artist Dave Court to recreate it in a prominent location within the new building.
88 North Terrace is expected to open in mid-2028.
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