Emperor Living apartment complex in Mawson Lakes delayed until March 2020

More than half of the 63 apartments in a planned eight-storey apartment complex in Adelaide’s north have been sold, but the site is currently nothing more than scaffolding.

The Emperor Living apartment complex in Mawson Lakes will be eight-stories high and feature million-dollar penthouses. Picture: Supplied

• Collapsed builders spark plea for reform

An eight-storey apartment complex that would be the tallest building in Adelaide’s north won’t be completed until March 2020.

More than half of the 63 apartments in the planned Mawson Lakes Emperor Living project have been sold, but the site is currently nothing more than scaffolding.

The previous completion date was set at December 2018, however, Joe Cirilo, who is at least the third real estate agent to represent the development, says it will be another year before it’s finished.

The building site is on the corner of Main St and Metro Pde, with a large section facing Elder Smith Rd – a major entry point to the suburb.

Cr Beau Brug hopes the construction, which is currently blocking some sections of the nearby footpath, will be completed as quickly as possible.

“Many (people) have told me that they are eager for the project to be completed, because a construction site is not as attractive as [the final product],” Mr Brug said.

Scaffolding remains at the building site of the planned Emperor Living apartment complex in Mawson Lakes. Picture: Supplied

Some residents took to Facebook in February to express their thoughts on the current state of the building site.

“This is just an eyesore on one of the major entrance roads to Mawson Lakes and has been for over a year,” one person wrote on a Facebook post by Mr Brug about Emperor Living.

The project was initially announced in March 2014, but in October of the same year, it was reported that the complex was selling apartments before it had council approval to build on the site.

Among those sold were two of four $1 million penthouses.

At the time, the Urban Development Institute of SA warned against people investing into properties that have not yet been approved by the council.

The Salisbury Council has confirmed developers Barbaro Builders now have approval.

Emperor Living is also expected to feature cafes, offices and a multi-level carpark.

The majority of the apartments are a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments as well as four “boutique” penthouses.

Mayor Gillian Aldridge says the council recently contacted the Salisbury-based developer behind Empreror Living, who told them construction will recommence soon.

“...The project will be completed within the approved timeframe,” Ms Aldridge said.

Director of Barbaro Builders and Developers Frank Barbaro declined to comment.

The 29 metre-high complex would eclipse the current tallest building in the area – the Lyell McEwin Hospital.

An even bigger building is also planned in Mawson Lakes. It is a 10-storey medical centre on Elder Dr that was approved by the State Commission in July last year, but construction has not yet started.