HTI Group has submitted a development application for a 700-bed student accommodation tower near London Circuit in Canberra's city centre. The proposed 27-storey building would be located at 27-29 Edinburgh Avenue, adjacent to the Canberra Centre and within walking distance of the Australian National University.
Project Details
The development includes 700 studio and one-bedroom apartments designed for students, along with communal facilities such as a gym, study rooms, a cinema, and a rooftop terrace. The ground floor would feature retail spaces and a café. The project is estimated to cost approximately $150 million and is expected to create 400 jobs during construction.
HTI Group director Michael Li said the project responds to the growing demand for purpose-built student accommodation in Canberra. “There is a significant shortage of student housing in the city, and this development will help alleviate pressure on the rental market,” Li said. “We are committed to providing high-quality, affordable living options for students.”
Community and Planning Considerations
The application will be assessed by the ACT Planning and Land Authority. The site is currently occupied by a two-storey commercial building, which would be demolished. The proposal includes 200 bicycle parking spaces and no car parking for residents, encouraging sustainable transport. The development is part of a broader push to increase student housing in the city, with the ACT government aiming to accommodate 10,000 more students by 2030.
Local residents have expressed concerns about the height of the building and potential impacts on views and traffic. However, HTI Group says the design includes setbacks and landscaping to minimise visual impact. A community consultation period is open until 30 June 2024.
Market Context
Canberra's student accommodation vacancy rate is below 1%, according to recent data from the Real Estate Institute of Australia. The project is one of several student housing developments in the pipeline, including a 500-bed tower at 2-6 Bowes Street in Woden and a 400-bed complex in Belconnen. If approved, construction on the Edinburgh Avenue tower could begin in early 2025, with completion expected by 2027.
