A proposed 32-storey mixed-use tower in Adelaide’s central business district aims to become the tallest fully mass-timber building in Australia while showcasing sustainable construction practices. The $210 million project, dubbed Hotel Optimismo, is being developed by Finding Infinity and combines hotel accommodation with office space, retail outlets, and wellness facilities.

The 18,976-square-metre tower is designed to include 228 hotel rooms spread over 18 levels, seven floors designated for offices, a dedicated wellness centre, and retail and hospitality venues at street level. Although the exact location within Adelaide’s CBD has not been disclosed, developer Ross Harding emphasized the project’s environmental credentials as the primary inspiration.

Harding described the development as a demonstration of net-zero building standards, seeking to set a benchmark for the construction sector’s approach to sustainability. Unlike conventional buildings that rely heavily on concrete, Hotel Optimismo would utilize mass timber construction, which significantly lowers embodied carbon emissions and operating energy consumption.

“The intention is to build a physical example of a net-zero code,” Harding said, noting that similar timber buildings globally tend to be much shorter and often integrate concrete components. By relying primarily on timber, the tower is expected to reduce both its environmental footprint and ongoing operational costs.

Currently at the planning stage, the project represents an ambitious effort to push the boundaries of low-carbon urban development in Australia. If completed as envisioned, it would establish a new standard for environmentally responsible tall building design in the region.