24th January, 2025
A New Era for North Adelaide’s Retail Scene as Eighty Eight O’Connell Nears Completion
North Adelaide is on the brink of a retail renaissance with the highly anticipated Eighty Eight O’Connell, Adelaide’s largest privately developed project, nearing completion. Set to transform one of the city’s most iconic streets, this landmark project by the Commercial & General Group promises to reshape the area, bringing both a vibrant new community and a carefully curated selection of retail brands to O'Connell Street.
In just a few months, the area will see more than 250 new residents join precinct, with landmark retailers poised to breathe new life into North Adelaide. According to Jamie McClurg, Executive Chairman of Commercial & General and North Adelaide local, this project is set to become a driver for change. “If it was easy, everyone would do it, but it wasn’t. The fortitude, emotional and financial investment required to bring about this level of evolution cannot be understated,” McClurg said. “We pride ourselves on delivering on our commitments and are thrilled that such quality brands have decided to join us in what will be a catalyst for uplift for one of Adelaide’s most important locations.”
The vision for Eighty Eight O’Connell has always been to create a destination for placemaking—a hub that blends lifestyle, health, wellbeing, and food offerings. At the heart of this vision is Mercato’s street-level experiential food market, announced in 2022, this state-of-the-art location will feature a premium delicatessen, experiential wine bar, fine food market and café that will anchor the Tynte Street corner of the site.
Thoughtfully designed with public space and enjoyment in mind, the level three ‘skypark’ extends picturesque North Adelaide skyward, featuring soft landscaping, trees, grass and a range of casual seating options for community enjoyment. Enriching this innovative public space, will be “Yakisan”—a rooftop restaurant and bar—taking dining to new heights.
This elevated culinary experience, set against panoramic views of North Adelaide, will showcase the talents of renowned local chef Adam Liston, whose unique fire-based cooking style draws inspiration from traditional Japanese flavours. Liston, known for his work at SORA, Shobosho, ShoSho, and Mozza, brings his mastery of bold, smoky techniques to Yakisan’s menu, blending the richness of fire with the finesse of Asian cuisine. Partnering with Nate Scutter, Liston promises a dining destination that rivals global hotspots like Nobu, offering a world-class, Japanese-inspired menu that will be available all day to cater to the Eighty Eight residents and visitors alike. With its sophisticated atmosphere, Yakisan will offer not only exceptional food but also a stunning backdrop for an unforgettable dining experience. The offering at Yakisan will dually service the Eighty Eight resident’s pool providing an all-day dining menu for an unbeatable resort lifestyle.
Adelaide’s appetite for culinary innovation is also being met by two exciting newcomers. Gelato giant Messina, which has already won hearts in Kent Town, will soon open its flagship South Australian store at Eighty Eight. Joining it will be Shadow Baking, a sister brand founded by three Messina chefs, offering a stunning array of sweet and savoury pastries. North Adelaide will be their first location outside of Sydney—a testament to the development’s appeal to premium brands.
Fashion enthusiasts are also in for a treat. An Adelaide fashion boutique known for its carefully curated selection of high-end labels including Silk Laundry, Jac + Mooki, and Acler, will relocate from its current premises in North Adelaide to the new retail precinct, taking up an expansive tenancy on O’Connell. Its beautiful bespoke interior promises an elevated shopping experience.
Health and wellbeing underpin the development, with an array of allied health services set to open their doors at Eighty Eight. Local institutions like Radiology SA, InHealth, and Icon Cancer Centre are among those joining the precinct, alongside National Pharmacies, which will launch its flagship South Australian store offering optical services and beauty retail. Meanwhile, MediPedi, the founders of podiatry led manicure and pedicure services in Adelaide, will expand its operations, with this new location offering podiatry services alongside breakthrough fat reduction treatments via their exclusive Emerald laser.
Eighty Eight’s commitment to supporting modern lifestyles extends to flexible working spaces too. Hub Australia, will open a new location at Eighty Eight, offering fully catered flexible workspaces. “Adelaide’s office market has evolved with the nature of work – where, when and how we work and network extends beyond the traditional CBD high-rise, so any office offering must be truly ‘mixed-use’ to meet the market. In North Adelaide, you are a stone’s throw from the CBD, with easy access to the suburbs, on-site parking and rich amenity – this is what Eighty Eight represents—a lifestyle of live, work, play, and thrive,” McClurg explains.
To complement this enviable lifestyle, complete with morning Yoga classes in the Skypark, fitness and wellness enthusiasts can look forward to a cutting-edge gym experience with CHANGE, a new entrant to the South Australian market setting a new standard for multi-dimensional training.
Featuring top-of-the-line Technogym equipment, expert-led personal and group training, and a dedicated Reformer Pilates studio, the facility is complemented by a comprehensive suite of recovery options—including ice plunge pools, saunas, a steam room, and a magnesium pool—ensuring limitless potential for wellness and performance. CHANGE’s expansion to North Adelaide aligns perfectly with Eighty Eight’s holistic approach to wellness, which will also be supported by Blue Lagoon Float and Spa, offering massage, float, and spa treatments.
With its focus on cutting edge equipment and services, McClurg believes Eighty Eight will be South Australia’s most advanced health and fitness facility. “This was always going to be more than your standard gym. We wanted to provide our residents and the broader community with an industry-leading provider and incredible training spaces that transcend the latest fitness trends,” he says.
From the handcrafted rugs featured in the residential building lobbies to the bespoke crockery adorning the tables of Yakisan, this has been a labour of love for McClurg and the Commercial & General team and the local demand for the project has followed. Only 25 residential apartments are still available for purchase, with the final three commercial tenancies receiving strong interest for occupancy later this year. As the final phase of this ambitious project draws near, it’s clear that Eighty Eight O’Connell is poised to become a transformative force in North Adelaide, setting a new standard for retail, dining, and community living in Adelaide.