Adelaide CBD development: The CBD’s $1 billion building boom to continue into 2019

More than $1 billion worth of building projects will be completed in the Adelaide CBD in 2019 as the skyline of the city continues to rapidly evolve — see all the major projects in the pipeline.

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More than $1 billion worth of building projects will be completed in the Adelaide CBD in 2019 as the skyline of the city continues to rapidly change.

In addition, there is over $2.9 billion of developments either already on the way or set to begin construction this year as Adelaide begins to bridge the crane cap it has with other Australian cities.

But it isn’t all good news with the list of projects that have approval but going nowhere fast still a significant one.

Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon said the boom was contributing to record numbers in the sector.

“Adelaide’s skyline is changing faster than ever before, and the next 12 months will deliver significant additions to our city landscape,” he said.

“With residential, commercial, retirement living, retail, health and medical, and student accommodation sites all delivering commencements or completions in 2019, there’s no lack of diversity in the construction work transforming the city.

“In simple terms, we’re seeing record numbers of hard hats and steel caps on the men and women in the property sector who are shaping so much of modern South Australia.”

GALLERY: See the 29 major projects that are starting construction in 2019, expected to be finished this year or are in the process of being built.

Building Adelaide: Our city’s next skyline

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Leading the way of those set to be completed this year will be the $250 million development of the General Post Office building overlooking Victoria Square, the first stage in a major transformation of the iconic location.

Mining giant BHP will have its logo emblazoned on the 20th floor of the state-of-the-art office tower, as it takes up 10,000 sqm, while the Attorney-General’s Department will take over 12,000 sqm of office space.

Kimberley Gillan SA general manager for Charter Hall — the developers of the GPO Exchange office tower — said the new focal point for the centre of the city “would bring Adelaide in line with the eastern seaboard” when it comes to office facilities.

“This will push owners and developers to be creative,” she said.

“We think this will lead the way as Adelaide continues to develop.”

GPO development by Charter Hall

Also to be finished this year in the $1.02 billion property field will be the $100 million and 103m high Kodo apartments on Angas St, which will become Adelaide’s tallest residential building, and Calvary’s new $345 million hospital also on Angas St — the largest private hospital every built in the state as the health provider upgrades from its existing Wakefield St facilities.

Other projects set to be completed this year include the $45 million, 76m tall, One Flinders, by Guava Lime and Loucas Zahos as they continue their work on Flinders St’s East End.

Just a stones throw away on Pirie St is Wellstone Property’s $80 million, 60m high, East End apartments which are also set to be completed this year.

And the city’s East End is going to continue to grow upwards in 2019.

Loucas Zahos managing director Michael Loucas told The Advertiser construction would start on Two Flinders this year, which will feature a Vibe Hotel next to One Flinders.

Also starting construction this year in the east end includes the $70 million Monument development East Tce.

But headlining those projects set to begin in 2019 — with a spend of at least $957 million — is the $350 million SAHMRI 2 project, which will house the southern hemisphere’s first proton therapy unit capable of killing inoperable cancers.

Artist's impressions of the proposed building at 83 Pirie Street which would replace the existing Planet Nightclub.

A project spokeswoman said a builder for the project would be chosen shortly.

“The second phase of the RFT (request for tender) process to secure a builder went to the short-listed builders late last year, with submissions due next month,” she said.

“Given this milestone, we anticipate construction to begin as planned in 2019.”

Work could also start on the site of the former Planet nightclub this year, after its sale to Cbus Property last year.

It will commence construction on its $72 million office tower on the Pirie St site as soon as it can secure a precommitment.

Work on the Adelaidean and Realm Adelaide — which will sit as the city’s two tallest buildings at 135m and 132m respectively when finished — will continue this year as part of projects totalling $1.7 billion.

But despite the masses of projects either being wrapped up or starting this year, there still is a significant list of those proposals that are sitting idle despite having received development approvals — in some cases dating back as far as 2009.

This includes Karidis Corporation’s proposed 31-storey Echelon Apartments at the former Trims store at the King William St/Carrington St intersection, 188 Grenfell St and a 21-storey tower above North Tce’s Queen Adelaide Club.