Suspended pool bridge to link Vibe hotel with a second high-rise building in Adelaide’s CBD

A swimming pool linking two high-rise buildings in the CBD will feature in a new $45m hotel development being built at the “Paris end” of Flinders St. See the artist impressions.

Artist's impression of the pool bridge in GuavaLime's $45m Vibe hotel development on Flinders St. Supplied by Loucas Zahos Architects

Guests will be able to swim between buildings as part of a new hotel development being built in Adelaide’s east end.

Construction of the $45m Vibe hotel on Flinders St has accelerated in recent weeks, with installation of the site’s crane completed last weekend.

The hotel will feature as its centrepiece the city’s first “suspended bridge swimming pool” linking the new tower with the neighbouring ONE apartments building.

The 19-storey hotel has been designed by Loucas Zahos Architects and will include 123 guest rooms, a pool deck, spa and public plaza.

Guests and the general public will be able to walk underneath the pool, which will be suspended 4.6 metres above the public plaza.

Artist's impression of GuavaLime's $45m Vibe hotel development on Flinders St. Picture: Aaron Citti/Loucas Zahos Architects

The $45m Vibe hotel project on Flinders St. Photos: GuavaLime

It will be supported by a concrete slab and sheltered on either side by plants and perforated metal.

A walkway on one side of the pool will provide walk-through access between the two buildings.

Its construction follows the recent opening of the world’s largest free-standing acrylic pool in London. The 3-metre deep pool connects two residential towers 10 storeys, or 35 metres, above the street.

London’s Sky pool. Picture: BBC

Vibe hotel developer GuavaLime expects the Vibe project to create 120 full-time jobs during the peak of construction activity, and 50 ongoing full-time jobs once the hotel opens in late 2022.

Director Con Zahos said it would also attract more tourists to the city once domestic and international borders reopened following Covid-19.

“It will be the focal point and springboard for visitors experiencing and doing business in Adelaide,” he said.

Artist's impression of GuavaLime's $45m Vibe hotel development on Flinders St. Supplied by Loucas Zahos Architects

“In particular, Vibe Adelaide will set the standard in the worldwide movement to modern and relevant millennial stays. Hotel guests can choose to retreat to luxuriously-appointed rooms or be part of a vibrant, inner-city community at ground level with restaurants, bars and culture.”

Vibe is part of the international TFE Hotels group, and will become a “sister hotel” to the Adina Treasury when it opens in November next year.

TFE Hotels chief operating officer Chris Sedgwick described the Vibe brand as an “upscale lifestyle hotel”.

“The hotel’s design-focused style will reflect a vibrant, inner-city community at ground level with lively restaurants and bars,” he said.

Artist's impression of GuavaLime's $45m Vibe hotel development on Flinders St. Supplied by Loucas Zahos Architects

“On the higher floors, the open-plan bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows will frame city views that extend all the way to the beautiful Adelaide Hills.”

The project will complete two decades of development by GuavaLime in the precinct dubbed “Flinders East” by the developer, located at the “Paris end” of Flinders St.

It will be the tenth and final building to be completed by GuavaLime on the northern side of Flinders St, between Frome and Hutt streets.

The hotel is one of several new accommodation projects currently being built in the CBD, including Greaton’s $200m GPO hotel which commenced in April, and the Sofitel on Currie St which is due to open in the coming weeks.