Controversial developer Tim Gurner’s $1bn plan to transform Adelaide CBD site
A controversial developer has launched an audacious $1bn bid to transform one of Adelaide’s largest CBD sites with a hotel, apartments, bars, cafes and wellness centre.
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The first images of controversial developer Tim Gurner’s $1bn plan to transform the former Australia Post site in Adelaide’s CBD have been revealed.
The ambitious proposal includes a plan to build five towers scaling up to 27 storeys, with 600 apartments including affordable housing, luxury hotel, offices, shops, bars, restaurants, a public plaza and wellness centre.
Gurner Group is rolling out its new Saint Haven wellness chain across Australia, offering everything from cryotherapy to massage and salt rooms, non-alcoholic cocktails, medicinal treatments and ancient remedies.
Documents lodged with South Australia’s State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) reveal plans to deliver the project – known as Grote & Gouger – in three stages.
A 220-room hotel and 19-level mixed-use apartment tower featuring the Saint Haven wellness centre come first, located at the western end of the 1.7ha site, followed by a third apartment tower on the corner of Grote and Blenheim streets reaching up to 27 levels.
The third and final stage comprises of two more apartment buildings located at the southern end of the site.
A total of 513 carparking spaces and 767 bicycle parking spaces are offered across the site, while 15 per cent of the apartments have been set aside as affordable housing.
Mr Gurner said the project – his first in South Australia – would deliver a new “lifestyle destination” in Adelaide, and would feature a multi-level circular plaza with hanging gardens, an atrium and “sky walk”.
“We are extremely excited at the prospect of delivering an iconic Adelaide project that represents a never-before-seen level of luxury and amenity for the city,” he said.
“We have been profoundly inspired by the unique heritage features of the original site and the Adelaide city landscape. These existing elements have heavily influenced the project’s design features and the development represents a new and exciting chapter for the site.
“As we’ve done with so many projects in the past, we’ll be retaining, restoring and celebrating the incredible heritage of the existing site, transforming the red brick facade into an amazing hotel lobby that will deliver a level of service and amenity not currently available.”
In the documents lodged with SCAP, architects Elenberg Fraser say the project will establish an “unprecedented standard for sustainable living”, with the all-electric precinct set to be carbon neutral in operation.
“Grote & Gouger is an urban precinct that celebrates lifestyle, wellness, local culture, and landscape, and Adelaide’s most significant carbon neutral project,” it says.
“This mixed-use development will offer residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a vibrant public realm and a retail offering focused on F&B, wellness, and boutique offerings. “The precinct will create a pedestrian-focused ground plane and a network of lively laneways.”
The SCAP is expected to approve the proposal when it meets on Wednesday, with government planning officer Mollie O’Connor recommending it be approved.
South Australian Government Architect Kirsteen Mackay also endorses the plans following the developer’s response to several issues raised during a design review process.
“I recognise the significant opportunity this unique site presents due to its size and the potential to create a new precinct,” she says in her formal response to the plans.
“I also acknowledge and support the amendments made following the design review session to address the issues raised, including considerable reduction of building heights.
“I support the overall project ambitions, however my ongoing support for the proposal of this intensity is contingent on the full delivery of the design intent, including high-quality architectural outcomes, extensive soft landscaping scope and sustainability commitments.”
Gurner is working with the Grote St site’s owner, Kennards Self Storage, on the development following Kennards’ $40.6m purchase of the site in 2020. Kennards will relocate its South Australian headquarters to the precinct.
Mr Gurner is worth an estimated $677m, placing him at 192 on The Australian’s Rich 250 list.
He made global headlines earlier this year after calling for a “painful” 50 per cent increase in unemployment to spur “lazy” workers into action.
The South Australian government’s plans for its proposed Port Dock Railway Line Project – re-establishing a 1km spur line off the Outer Harbor line and creating a new railway station in the heart of Port Adelaide – will also be considered by SCAP when it meets next week.
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