A New Gateway Set to Almost Double Canberra’s Student Accommodation Offering
At the junction of Northbourne Avenue and Antill Street, a new gateway to Canberra’s inner north is set to take shape. Designed by COX, the proposed 496 Northbourne Avenue development will transform a prominent corner of the city into a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable student community – redefining what Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) can be for Australia’s capital.
As one of the primary entry points into Canberra, this intersection often forms visitors’ first impression of the city. The site occupies a strategic bookend to the high-density Northbourne Avenue corridor, connecting into the growing residential and commercial hub of Dickson. The vision is to strengthen this connection – opening the site to its surrounds and enhancing pedestrian movement between Northbourne Avenue, Antill Street and Challis Street.
Comprising 705 beds across two buildings, the design responds to more than the need for housing. It creates a sense of belonging and community. At its heart, a landscaped public plaza links Northbourne Avenue to Dickson, fostering connection between residents, visitors and the local neighbourhood.
Positioned along Northbourne Avenue, the first nine-storey building offers a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations supported by communal dining spaces, a common room and a ground-floor tenancy that activates the street. The second, at ten storeys, accommodates shared amenities that promote wellbeing and community, including study, music and prayer rooms, rooftop gardens, a gym and yoga spaces.
Canberra’s PBSA pipeline remains among the smallest in the country. A recent Property Council of Australia report found that only 378 beds are currently at the development application stage, with none under construction. Once delivered, 496 Northbourne will almost double the number of student beds in the ACT, providing essential supply to a market under increasing pressure.
Sustainability is embedded in the design approach. Passive strategies optimise solar access and ventilation, while deep soil planting, rooftop greenery and the use of local, low-carbon materials contribute to a resilient, all-electric development. Rooftop PV panels enable on-site renewable energy generation, complemented by water reuse systems, pedestrian-focused movement and proximity to light rail and bus services.
Landscape design, led by Arcadia, draws on First Nations principles following a Designing with Country workshop with Ngunnawal Elders. Native planting, green corridors and flexible outdoor spaces reflect local ecology and create a welcoming environment that feels like a home away from home.
496 Northbourne signals a new chapter for Canberra’s northern gateway – a place where connectivity, sustainability and community converge to shape the city’s future.
