Hines Property lodges plans for record-breaking student tower in Adelaide

THE world’s tallest student accommodation tower could rise over Twin St as yet another multimillion-dollar plan to cash in on the booming foreign education market is revealed.

Simeon Thomas-WilsonCity Editor

2 min read

September 27, 2018 - 2:40PM

The City

Artist impressions of the proposed student accommodation tower at 29 Twin St, Adelaide.

A NEW student accommodation tower proposed for the Adelaide CBD will give the city a global record.

Hines Property has lodged a planning application for a 124.2m tall tower at 29 Twin Street between Grenfell St and Rundle Mall in the heart of the CBD.

The 38-storey structure, costing $85 million, will be the tallest purpose-built student accommodation building in the world if approved, eclipsing the Student One Wharf Street tower in Brisbane that stands at 122m high.

The next tallest student tower in the world is in Manchester and stands at 109m.

It would be just 7.8 metres shorter than Adelaide’s current tallest building, Westpac House, and 10.8m shorter than the proposed 135m tall Adelaidean, currently under construction on Frome Street.

The proposed Twin Street tower — previously reported on by The Advertiser as part of a special report into the burgeoning student accommodation market Adelaide is trying to attract — will include a range of accommodation options from single studio rooms through to five and six-bedroom apartments, incorporating a total of 510 beds.

James Hines, Managing Director of Hines Property — which is responsible for several towers in Adelaide — said the 29 Twin Street project would set a new standard for student accommodation.

“We’ve drawn on our extensive expertise in hotel and residential developments to design a world-class, purpose-built student accommodation tower that will be underpinned by a professional management team to ensure a safe, sophisticated and supportive environment,” he said.

“There are already over 10,000 international and interstate students enrolled at the city-based universities and they provide a significant economic benefit to the state. This development will undoubtedly be the drawcard option for students considering Adelaide as a destination to undertake their studies.”

Hines Property planned the design of the tower with leading architecture firm Woods Bagot.

Associate Principal at Woods Bagot Alex Hall said the building would include a three-level lobby void to respect the adjoining Gays Arcade while “creating a transparent, somewhat floating podium for the tower”.

On top of a ground-floor lobby and cafe, the tower will also include a communal mezzanine lounge, cinema and events space, study and dining area, garden retreat and rooftop lawn, gym, wellness and yoga space. Construction of the 29 Twin Street project is anticipated to start next year and take 18 months to complete.