Image: Experience Adelaide
The City of Adelaide has partnered with the Government of South Australia on an exciting project, reimagining underused buildings as new homes in the city. The Adaptive Reuse City Housing Initiative, or ARCHI, is bringing new life to existing structures, transforming everything from shop-top spaces and old office buildings through to heritage-listed properties with potential.
This initiative is all about addressing housing shortages while preserving the character that gives Adelaide its charm. By repurposing existing buildings, ARCHI will help diversify housing options, while also unlocking new revenue streams for property owners, improving building performance and revitalising city streetscapes. In short, it’s all about creating unique neighbourhoods where people can live close to work, culture, dining and transport, while supporting sustainability and smarter urban growth.
Recent expansions to the ARCHI Incentives Scheme mean that even more opportunities are now available. The program supports adaptive reuse projects that involve a change of use to residential in the City of Adelaide, including buildings up to four storeys for shop-top housing, commercial-to-residential conversions in buildings five storeys or above, heritage-listed sites and major projects delivering twenty or more dwellings.
Real examples are proving how impactful this approach can be. A Sturt Street project saw underutilised ground-floor commercial tenancies transformed into three studio apartments. By embracing the building’s existing architectural features, including individual entries, full-height street-facing windows and secure courtyards, the development delivered flexible, functional and affordable city living where thoughtful design was prioritised.
Above: Sturt Street Transformation
On Melbourne Street, a long-vacant first floor was converted into a private residence above a lively bar, reintroducing classic shop-top living and injecting new energy into the precinct. For property owner Shaun, these conversions simply make sense. “When you think about it, they’re in some of the best spots in the state — and they bring money back into urban areas. Some of the costs are already taken care of — the footprint and shell are already there.”
Pictured: Melbourne Street Transformation
Gilles Street saw a transformation too, with a dilapidated two-storey commercial office turned into a stunning Manhattan-style home in the heart of the city. Owner Tristan Taormina said, “We’re in a housing and rental crisis, yet there are so many underused buildings in the CBD. I’m genuinely passionate about adaptive reuse. With proper planning, conversions can be cost-effective and deeply rewarding.”
Pictured: Gillies Street Transformation
Eligible projects can access grant funding to support construction, feasibility assessments and professional advice, along with a dedicated adaptive reuse case management service at no cost. Additional City of Adelaide incentives covering heritage, sustainability and noise management can also be stacked to support successful outcomes.
ARCHI also offers a suite of practical guides and fact sheets covering everything from accessibility and fire safety to sustainability and materials, helping owners and developers navigate the process with confidence. Since launching in late 2023, the initiative has also delivered city-wide building audits, industry forums and ongoing community engagement to unlock housing potential at scale.
For more information, click here.
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