Unley apartment towers given green light by State Commission Assessment Panel

Two seven-storey apartment buildings will be built in suburban Unley – despite rising far higher than local height limits.

Two seven-level apartment projects in Unley have been given the green light by the state’s planning authority despite exceeding local height limits.

The State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) signed off on the projects at its meeting on Wednesday.

They include a $45m development on the corner of Unley Rd and Charles Lane, featuring 44 two and three-bedroom apartments, including four top-level penthouses.

Local developer Catcorp, who completed the 246 Unley Apartments project further south on Unley Rd in 2021, is spearheading the project, which has been designed by Adelaide firm Enzo Caroscio Architecture.

Construction is expected to begin by the middle of next year.

Catcorp director Anthony Catinari said the apartments would be offered at a variety of price points, and would cater to a growing demand for larger living spaces.

“One bedroom apartments have become less popular in recent years triggered by a shift in lifestyles following the pandemic, with people now prioritising larger living spaces for increased comfort and remote work set-ups,” he said.

Artist’s impression of apartment development at 106-108 Unley Rd. Picture: Enzo Caroscio Architecture

Artist's impression of the apartment development at 106-108 Unley Rd, Unley by Catcorp Group. Picture: Enzo Caroscio Architecture

“While developing 246 Unley Rd we identified a substantial market demand for this type of residential accommodation in the area.

“Unley is a very popular suburb but for many it’s also out of reach and that’s why we’re providing accommodation at a price point that more people can achieve, compared to established free-standing homes in the same suburb.”

Government planning officer Damon Huntley had previously recommended the project for approval despite it exceeding the site’s height limit of 18.5 metres.

Mr Huntley wrote that the proposed building height of 24.7 metres was acceptable given the expansive site area of 1379sq m – just 121sq m short of the 1500sq m threshold applying to “significant” development sites – and the project’s positive contributions to the public realm, including setbacks and landscaping along Charles Lane and a canopy designed to retain trees along Unley Rd.

Other features of the development including shops at ground level, rear on-site car parking, a large proportion of three-bedroom apartments, sustainability initiatives and generous levels of private open space, were also referred to by Mr Huntley in his support of the approval.

Artist’s impression of Rinaldi Group’s apartment project at 119 Greenhill Rd, Unley. Picture: SCAP

Meanwhile, local developer Rinaldi Group also secured planning approval for its plans to build 10 two and three-bedroom apartments at 119 Greenhill Rd.

The proposed building height of 26.65 metres is just 0.15 metres higher than the site’s height limit, and in recommending the project for approval, planning officer Daniel Clapp suggested the excess height was “very minor and will have little additional impact”.

Further, he noted that while the building’s lift would add an additional 3.7 metres of infrastructure above roof level, its “compact size and central location will reduce its visibility from Greenhill Road and Park Terrace”.

The building will include 18 car parks at ground level.

Rinaldi Group’s Anthony Rinaldi said the apartments had been designed to provide the space and amenity of a typical home, with larger than average apartment sizes ranging from 150sq m to 250sq m.

“Apartment numbers have been kept low to provide a luxury offering, with the development comprising only 10 apartments, with the top two floors housing single-level penthouses with roof-top garden,” he said.