Construction has commenced on a major new student accommodation development that will deliver 352 new beds in the heart of Darwin’s CBD, supporting Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) continued growth and helping to meet increasing demand for student housing.
The project is being delivered by Campus Living Villages (CLV) in partnership with Darwin-based construction company DCOH and is expected to be completed in late 2028.
Located at 56 Woods Street, directly behind CDU’s Danala campus, the development forms part of CDU’s long-term investment in creating a vibrant city campus and expanding accommodation options for students choosing to study in the Northern Territory.
CDU Interim Vice Chancellor and President Professor Fiona Coulson said the development was an important investment in the student experience and would support the University’s continued growth, particularly among international students.
“Access to quality, purpose-built accommodation is an important part of the student experience and gives prospective students confidence when choosing where to study,” she said.
“Darwin and the broader Northern Territory offer a unique experience for international students, with opportunities they simply cannot access elsewhere in Australia.
“This new accommodation will provide a mix of studio and six-bedroom apartments, giving students more choice while they study at CDU.
“Its location, just a short walk from our newest campus, will also give students safe and easy access to city-based classes, as well as CDU’s student bus service for travel between campuses.”
The project is supported by a $70 million loan to CLV from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), announced in April.
CLV also manages CDU Village at Casuarina campus, where work is underway to refurbish the existing village and deliver additional student rooms and upgraded amenities.
CLV CEO and Group Managing Director John Schroder said the new CBD development would expand the organisation’s partnership with CDU and deliver more accommodation options for students in Darwin.
“On completion of the Darwin CBD development in 2028, CLV will manage 710 student beds across both campuses,” said Schroder.
“Working in partnership with CDU, CLV will deliver a vibrant, inclusive community that supports student success while helping to ease pressure on the private rental market in the Northern Territory.”
On completion, the development will increase CDU’s managed student accommodation capacity to 710 beds across its Casuarina and city campuses, providing more students with high-quality accommodation close to where they study.
The Woods Street site sits within easy reach of CDU’s Danala campus, positioning the new development as a central part of the University’s push to grow its footprint in the Darwin CBD.
By offering a combination of studio apartments and larger six-bedroom configurations, the project is designed to appeal to a broad range of students, from those seeking independent living to those who prefer a shared community environment.
The development also reflects a broader trend across Australian higher education, where universities and their accommodation partners are working to expand purpose-built student housing in response to growing enrolment numbers, particularly from overseas.
With international students forming a significant part of CDU’s growth strategy, the addition of high-quality, well-located accommodation is seen as a key factor in attracting students to Darwin over other Australian study destinations.
Once complete, the Woods Street development will operate alongside the Casuarina campus village, giving CDU a combined accommodation network of 710 beds.
The refurbishment works already underway at Casuarina, together with the new CBD beds, are intended to give students more consistent access to modern amenities across both locations.
With construction now underway, CLV and DCOH will oversee delivery of the project through to its expected completion in late 2028, marking a significant milestone in CDU’s long-term plan to build a stronger, more connected city campus.