‘Once-in-a-lifetime’ North Adelaide development takes top honours at UDIA SA awards
The transformation of a long-vacant North Adelaide site has claimed South Australia’s top urban development prize, as a growing number of apartment projects signal a shift in the state’s housing market. See the full list of winners.
After sitting vacant for 36 years, the former Le Cornu site on O’Connell Street has been transformed into an award-winning residential and commercial precinct, taking out Project of the Year at the nbn 2026 UDIA SA Awards for Excellence.
Eighty Eight O’Connell, developed by Commercial & General, claimed three awards at the industry’s annual celebration at Adelaide Oval, including Apartments (High-Rise) and Urban Renewal.
The landmark development was described by judges as an “exemplar for apartment living in South Australia”, recognised for its architectural quality, resident amenities and contribution to revitalising North Adelaide.
It was among a record number of winning projects recognised at this year’s awards, with mid- and high-rise developments featuring prominently across the 15 project categories.
The results reflect Adelaide’s evolving housing market, as demand grows for more diverse housing options and apartment living becomes an increasingly important part of the state’s residential mix.
UDIA SA CEO Liam Golding said the awards demonstrated the industry’s ability to deliver innovative projects despite ongoing housing supply and affordability pressures.
“Every finalist and winner highlighted at this year’s Awards demonstrates the extraordinary vision, creativity and momentum currently driving South Australia’s urban development industry forward,” Golding said.
“The projects we celebrated all combined practical measures like architectural quality and design excellence with an innate understanding of what the market wants and what it takes to create a space where people come together to live, work and grow.
“It’s exciting to see how our members continue to push boundaries and, in the face of ongoing supply and affordability constraints, continue to deliver the diverse, high-quality homes South Australians need.”
A new chapter for O’Connell Street
Reaching up to 15 storeys, Eighty Eight O’Connell comprises 158 residences across three architecturally distinct towers, connected by a publicly accessible Sky Park. The mixed-use precinct also incorporates retail, hospitality, health, wellness and commercial spaces, creating a destination designed to serve residents and the wider community.
Judges highlighted the development’s range of housing options, from one-bedroom apartments to premium penthouses, alongside its precinct-wide electrified heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems.
Importantly, the project delivered its residential and commercial components simultaneously, allowing the precinct to operate as a community hub from opening.
Judges praised its transformation of a long-standing gap in O’Connell Street into a connected precinct, bringing renewed activity to one of Adelaide’s best-known retail strips.
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Apartment projects lead the way
Another major winner was ORTA on The Parade, developed by Zollo Property Group and Rocca Property Group, which claimed Apartments (Mid-Rise) and Design Excellence.
The Norwood development combines 64 apartments across six residential levels with restaurants, wine bars and health and beauty businesses at street level.
Its restoration and adaptive reuse of five local heritage sites particularly impressed judges, demonstrating how contemporary residential development can preserve neighbourhood character while creating new commercial opportunities.
“These previously dilapidated and underutilised shops and halls have been carefully restored and repurposed to become modern yet atmospheric restaurant and wine bar spaces, bringing to life a previously derelict portion of the property,” judges said.
Higher-density housing also featured among the winners in Seniors Living, Affordable Development and Social and Community Housing, reinforcing the growing role of apartments in meeting different community needs.
Sustainability and regional growth recognised
Beyond the apartment sector, Kolabb’s Euca townhouse development in Modbury won Boutique Development for its combination of attainable housing, sustainable design and community-focused planning.
Delivered in partnership with the City of Tea Tree Gully and Centina, the project incorporates a publicly accessible park, with each home achieving a minimum 7-Star NatHERS rating.
Regional development was also recognised, with Oakland’s 47-allotment Swanport Village estate at Murray Bridge winning Residential Subdivision.
Judges praised its design, landscaping and community benefits, including contributions towards improvements to a nearby Murray River waterfront reserve.
Industry leaders celebrated
The awards also recognised individual contributions to South Australia’s development industry.
Villawood Properties development manager Sonja Ponikvar received the Stuart Main Young Leader Award, recognising her work on major projects and her leadership as Chair of the UDIA Young Professionals Committee.
Burbank Homes SA state general manager Julie Durand received the UDIA SA Women in Leadership Award for her contribution to business growth, team development and industry leadership.
All winning projects will represent South Australia at the 2027 National UDIA Awards for Excellence, held during the UDIA National Congress in Sydney.
For the state’s development industry, this year’s results highlight a growing emphasis on housing diversity, urban renewal and creating communities designed for changing lifestyles.
nbn 2026 UDIA SA Awards for Excellence winners.
Individual and Company Award Winners
Stuart Main Young Leader: Sonja Ponikvar, Villawood
Women in Leadership: Julie Durand, Burbank
Greg Waller: Stephen Hains AM
Diversity in Development: Hames Sharley
Project Category Award Winners
Residential Subdivision: Oakland for Swanport Village
Masterplanned Communities: Renewal SA for Bowden
Seniors Living: Cedar Woods for Bloom Apartments
Social and Community Infrastructure: Hickinbotham for Harvest Green Park, Roseworthy
Affordable Development: Uniting SA for Uniting on Second
Social and Community Housing: SA Housing Trust for Tucker St Studio Apartments
Apartments (Mid-rise): Zollo Property Group and Rocca Property Group for ORTA on The Parade
Apartments (High-rise): Commercial & General for Eighty Eight O’Connell
Boutique Development: Kolabb for Euca
Professional Consulting: Colliers for Prospect Corner
Innovation in Development: Lancer for Central Lake & Reserve, Virginia Grove
Urban Renewal: Commercial & General for Eighty Eight O’Connell
Design Excellence: Zollo Property Group and Rocca Property Group for ORTA on The Parade
Marketing Excellence: Peet for Forestville Terraces
Project of the Year: Commercial & General for Eighty Eight O’Connell
The awards are supported by the following sponsors:
• Major sponsor – nbn Australia
• Media partner – InDaily
• Category sponsors – Alexander Symonds, Centina, Department for Housing and Urban Development, Finlaysons Lawyers, FYFE, InDaily, Local Government Association, Oliver Hume, Renewal SA, SA Water, Simple Integrated Marketing, Truecore Steel and Whittles
• Print partner – Bowden Printing
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