The historic Duke of York Hotel on Currie Street is set to become Adelaide’s next skyrise, hosting a bustling new cafe and student accommodation block to meet the escalating demand for student housing in the city, while paying homage to the hotel’s rich heritage.
The local heritage-listed structure built in 1857 will become among one of the tallest building in Adelaide, standing 109.8m and 33-floors tall. The multi-level structure will boast 450 units and 570 beds, specifically catered to international students.
The existing ground floor – where the Duke of York Hotel stands – will be revitalised into a lively café, maintaining its legacy while serving as a new gathering spot for both students and the public.
With a keen eye towards preserving the historical essence, the TAL GP Projects – the developer – plan to thoughtfully incorporate the existing façade, showcasing the warm natural sandstone and complementing it with sleek, dark reflective surfaces.
The Duke will feature a range of vibrant communal areas, including kitchens, a gym, games and media rooms, and a rooftop terrace.
South Australia is due to get an influx of at least 6,000 international students by 2034, thanks to the recent merger between the University of Adelaide and UniSA, and the Duke project aims to help meet the future pressing demand for quality accommodation in the CBD.
Currently, the Duke of York is an inner city hotel housing a large beer garden and live music on Thursday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s. The hotel rose at the 14m2 plot in 1857 and put under the hammer in 1921 in a heated auction. Today, the hotel still features many of the original fixtures, including the balcony overlooking Currie Street.
Director of TAL GP Projects, Daniel Young says they are committed to retaining the majority of the heritage-listed façade, including restoring of the balcony, to ensure the building’s storied past remains intact.
“We understand the importance of the Duke of York to the Adelaide community,” Daniel said.
“Our project is designed to meet all heritage requirements while providing a vibrant living environment for students.
“The Duke will address housing shortages and create inviting communal spaces that foster social interaction.”
Working alongside the renowned local planning firm Future Urban, the project is designed to blend modern student living with heritage preservation. Director, Marc Duncan, emphasised the commitment to heritage guidelines.
“We have meticulously adhered to all heritage guidelines throughout the planning process for The Duke,” he said.
“Our collaboration with the State Government Architect has ensured that every design aspect meets and exceeds the necessary standards for preserving the historical significance of the Duke of York Hotel.
“We aim to honour the past while creating a modern living environment for students.”
Daniel Young adds, “We acknowledge the value of engaging with the local community and are focused on providing updates on the project and encouraging community feedback.
“We are also in discussions with Amin Ayoubi, the leaseholder of the Duke of York Hotel, to explore the possibility of him continuing as the operator of the new café, helping to retain the local vibe and community connection.”
TAL GP, in collaboration with local experts, plans to engage with stakeholders and community members to ensure The Duke honours the history of the site.
The start date for the project is yet to be announced, but in the meantime, be sure to visit the Duke of York Hotel as it stands today and raise a glass to it’s long history, beautiful façade and to the future.
The Duke of York Hotel
When: Monday to Wednesday 11AM – 6 PM, Thursday 11AM – 11 PM, Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 2AM, Sunday Closed.
Where: 82 Currie Street Adelaide
For more information, click here.
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