On The Run owners’ $50 million office plan gets the green light
THE owners of the On The Run service station empire have been given the green light to build a $50 million head office in Kensington – and work is to start “almost immediately”.
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PLANS for a contentious seven-storey office tower in Kensington have been approved, paving the way for the owners of the On the Run service station empire to start work on the $50 million project.
Governor Hieu Van Le this morning signed-off on Peregrine Corporation’s plan to redevelop its headquarters at the corner of The Parade and Portrush Rd.
The development — which the State Government declared of economic significance to SA — will include a ground floor cafe, five storeys of offices and a 50m indoor swimming pool on the top floor.
Peregrine Corporation executive chairman Yasser Shahin said work would start “almost immediately” and be completed within two years.
The project was expected to create more than 270 jobs during construction. The new building would accommodate more than 450 staff.
“The development is testament to Peregrine’s long-term presence in SA and a vote of confidence in the future of the state,” Mr Shahin said.
Approval for the project comes amid fears from Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council, local residents’ groups and Clayton Wesley Church that the seven-storey development would ruin the historic character of the precinct and create traffic and parking problems on nearby streets.
Peregrine Corporation agreed during the planning process to reduce the height of the building from 38m to 34.8m — changes local residents described as a “token response” to their concerns.
Investment and Trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith, who assessed the proposal, said the project would have “great public value” and “considerable social and economic benefits”.
“The Shahins are passionate and committed South Australians with a track record of investing in the state and creating jobs,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“The State Government has identified the attraction and retention of head offices as an important part of driving the economy.”