Adelaide City Council and developers of the 135m tall Adelaidean in drop-off stalemate
IT is set to become Adelaide’s tallest building but the development of the 135m Adelaidean tower has encountered a new roadblock — this time with the Adelaide City Council.
THE developers of what is set to become Adelaide’s tallest building is at loggerheads with the Adelaide City Council over proposed changes to the development.
The 135m-tall Adelaidean hotel and apartment complex on Frome St will be the tallest building in the city once it is complete but construction of the $100 million has encountered another snag — leading to the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) to step in.
Adelaide architecture firm Brown Falconer, who have designed the Adelaidean on behalf of Kyren Group, have applied to SCAP to vary the development authorisation granted for the project in December 2016.
The amendment involves the proposed use of an area within the adjacent car park structure to the tower to provide a pick-up and drop-off facility for hotel guests.
But SCAP agenda papers reveal that this is “contrary to a longstanding expectation” between the proponents and the Adelaide City Council that the nearby Tavistock Lane — which has been described as “dark” and “nasty” — would be improved to serve as a pick-up and drop-off facility.
The papers say the council is not supporting this proposed change “due to increased risk of vehicle conflict, compromised pedestrian safety and traffic congestion”.
The two parties have had various meetings in an attempt to break the stalemate, but the discussions have stalled.
However, it is not the only proposed change.
The Adelaide City Council has supported other proposed amendments to accommodation types, core layouts, bicycle parking and the removal of recessed balconies — including the abolition of serviced apartments.
It would result in the previously proposed 106 serviced apartments being replaced with 80 hotel suites on levels 11 to 20.
Private apartments will remain over levels 22 to 34 of the tower.
The panel is proposing at its meeting on Thursday to defer a decision on whether to give the Adelaidean proponents development plan consent, with the agenda papers saying the revised pick-up and drop-off point for hotel visitors is not supported and would “fall short” of the Development Plan’s expectations.
The Advertiser has approached both the council and Kyren Group for comment.
Earlier this year Kyren Group launched court action in an attempt to blockthe neighbouring $60 million student accommodation development by Global Student Accommodation Australia after SCAP approved it in April.
Kyren Group argued it was approved without community consultation but in August Environment Resources and Development Court Judge Susanne Cole rejected the challenge.
The Adelaidean is due to be completed in 2020.