The site, covering 7,500 square metres, had lain dormant since 1989, and will make up a new hub that blends lifestyle, health, wellbeing, and essential services. The future development has been earmarked as a catalyst project that will build upon Adelaide’s “first suburb” and further establish the City of Adelaide as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Works commenced on the project in May 2022 and are forecast for completion mid-2025. Construction of the towers is now largely complete, with the team finalizing updates to the podium fitouts.

O’Connell Street is home to a wide tree-lined boulevard, dotted with boutiques and historic pubs. This new addition is slated to be a major destination for fashion, dining, health and lifestyle tenants. Eighty Eight O’Connell is slated as a community-focused precinct, blending lifestyle and wellness through elevated design and biophilic connections.

Featuring a unique podium base, the “pavilions” will hold the O’Connell Street frontage, maximising the O’Connell Street activation and enabling day-to-night activation, housing a mix of retail, food and beverage offerings. Building upon O’Connell Street’s existing high street, featuring activated retail frontages, with tenancies including open-air cafes, eateries and specialist retailers.

As a truly mixed-use development, Eighty Eight O’Connell includes apartments, commercial suites and retail tenancies perched on top of an articulated podium structure.Levels one and two will host a series of commercial suites including medical consulting services, wellness amenities, a swimming pool and a large, outdoor terrace.

Level three and above is reserved for residences, comprising 165 apartments across three buildings, connected by a “sky park” elevated garden. With views over picturesque North Adelaide, homes include a mix of two-bed apartments and three-bedroom townhouses. A new rooftop bar and restaurant, Yakisan, will top the spectacular new development, led by locally renowned chef Adam Liston.

“88 O’Connell is emerging as a true catalyst project, reactivating this landmark site and strengthening the identity of O’Connell Street,” says Woods Bagot Senior Associate Waleed Moughraby.  

“Our design fosters connection to community, nature, and the broader public realm — all of which are now being realised through construction. We’re thrilled to see the project’s growing street presence as it takes form, and look forward to its upcoming completion.”

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor says Eighty Eight O’Connell is one of the most hotly anticipated developments for Adelaide, for which the community has waited a considerable time to see reactivated.

“After 30 years, we are finally seeing a development that will deliver a new landmark in the heart of North Adelaide and be a catalyst in the revitalisation of the O’Connell Street precinct,” says Verschoor.

Commercial & General Executive Chairman Jamie McClurg says the project will provide “pivotal change” for the state, delivered by a team of passionate and experienced local industry experts.

“Every detail has been considered and an approach grounded in quality at every step is sure to surprise and delight,” says McClurg.

Media enquiries
Isla Sutherland
Content and Communications Specialist (Australia & New Zealand)