GM Hotels applies to build six-storey residential and commercial building in Republic Hotel carpark
An “inappropriate” $7m proposal to turn a heritage-listed hotel’s carpark into a six-storey commercial and residential building has concerned the local council.
East, Inner Suburbs & Hills
Don't miss out on the headlines from East, Inner Suburbs & Hills. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A plan for a $7m, six-storey commercial and residential building in the Republic Hotel carpark “does not preserve the prominence” of the heritage-listed locale, the local council says.
GM Hotels has lodged plans with the State Commission Assessment Panel for the building at 120 Magill Rd, Norwood, with 17 car parks – with 15 exclusively for residents – on the ground floor.
However, Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council has raised concerns with the building’s height, a lack of carparking and impact on the former Oriental Hotel, a listed local heritage place.
Six residents also raised concerns about the impact on local heritage, noise issues, overshadowing and the loss of 18 car spaces.
Acting senior planning officer Hannah Connell stated existing properties’ “uninterrupted views across the site” would be impacted, panel documents reveal.
“It will have a significant impact on the setting and prominence of the local heritage place by taking over the role of the most visually dominant building in the area,” Ms Connell reported.
“There is currently a tension between the views of the heritage advisers in relation to the impact of the proposed development on the Local Heritage Place and its townscape prominence.”
The council’s consultant heritage officer, David Brown, said the development was “four levels over height” and the Oriental Hotel was a “landmark heritage building” which “should retain its prominence”.
“(A) two level limit is what should apply to this site,” Mr Brown submitted.
“The proposal is over height for this area … (it) will have a significant impact on the setting and prominence of the local heritage-listed hotel, by taking over the role of the most visually dominant building in the area.
“It is in no way subservient, complementary or contextual, and hence is an inappropriate proposal for this site.”
In the council’s submission, development assessment manager Mark Thomson said the height of the proposed building was “three times greater than the two-storey height limit relevant to the site”.
He also said there was a “concerning” lack of carparking during peak periods which would impact nearby on-street parking.
However, on behalf of the applicant, URPS stated there was sufficient parking provided while admitting the proposal exceeded height limits under a business zone.
“It is commonly accepted however that development plan provisions are to be treated as guidelines rather than mandatory requirements,” URPS stated.
“The development is compatible with, and retains the townscape prominence of, the local heritage place.
“We consider the building height to be appropriate based on the design treatments proposed and the unique circumstances of this site and locality.”
It stated the scale and height of the building “sits comfortably within and will not dominate the Osmond Terrace streetscape”, retains the prominence of the hotel and provides it “significant breathing space” while preserving its “landmark qualities”.
The application will be considered by the panel this week.
More Coverage
Terrified woman attacked by dogs in Adelaide park, court told
A woman was knocked over and forced to lie with her face in the dirt as two unleashed dogs “clawed” at her during a shocking attack, a court has heard.
Residents flee, duo charged after eastern suburbs unit goes up in flames
A fire that caused the evacuation of residents is believed to have been deliberately lit – and police have charged two people with arson and serious criminal trespass.