Adelaide Workers’ Homes plan to add another 52 apartments to Richmond development
More than 270 apartments and a five-storey building would be built in Richmond under revised plans for a $60 million affordable housing project, which will add another 52 homes.
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A $60 million affordable housing project in Richmond will be expanded to include an extra 52 apartments and a five-storey building under new plans for the site.
A total of 271 apartments would be build on Davenport Tce under the revised proposal, lodged with West Torrens Council by Adelaide Workers’ Homes.
The development is replacing about 70 single-storey units through six stages of development over 10 years.
They will range from studio to one, two and three-bedroom apartments.
The first building has been completed and the second stage of development is under construction.
Adelaide Workers’ Homes already has approval for the project but wants to add an extra two storeys to its main building in the middle of the block – bringing it to five-storeys.
Townhouses planned for the back of the block would also be changed to flats, adding an extra 52 apartments to the project.
The homes would be available for rent by individuals, families and retirees on low incomes.
A report by Access Planning said Adelaide Workers’ Homes was continually selling other properties – including to their renters – to fund the construction of more properties.
The area’s development plan previously allowed buildings up to three storeys – but was recently changed to just two storeys.
The report argued, however, that the plan also encouraged high-density development “in areas close to activity centres, public and community transport and public open spaces”.
“Large areas of residential land able to provide for redevelopment of the kind proposed are very rare indeed, especially in close proximity to the city and relevant services,” the report read.
It argued the five-storey building would be adequately shielded by other apartment blocks at the front of the land.
Adelaide Workers’ Homes – then called Adelaide Workmen’s Homes – was established in 1898 with money left in Sir Thomas Elder’s will to provide workers with affordable rentals.
It was originally overseen by Alexander Smith and prominent Adelaide businessman Robert Barr Smith.
It now owns more than 330 properties across Adelaide, including in Richmond, Mile End, Woodville North and Norwood.
A recent study found only 1.5 per cent of available rental properties were affordable for people on low incomes.
West Torrens is due to consider the plan in coming months.