Adelaide study to convert vacant space above CBD shops to homes

Vacant spaces above shops in the Adelaide CBD could be converted into homes in a bid to ease the state’s housing crisis.

Converting spaces above Adelaide CBD shops into homes will be investigated in a bid to ease the housing crisis.

A CBD building audit will be conducted as part of a joint state/city council study aimed at boosting housing supply and growing population.

Revealing the $500,000 Capital City Committee study, Premier Peter Malinauskas said so-called adaptive reuse of city buildings would accelerate much-needed release of housing stock.

“We are doing everything we can to ease housing pressures and adaptive reuse is an innovative way of bringing housing to market quickly,” he said.

“This plan also has the added benefit of breathing more life into the city at a time when major events are providing a boost to the local hospitality industry and wider economy.”

Converting spaces above Adelaide CBD shops into homes will be investigated in a bid to ease the housing crisis. Picture: Supplied

The Capital City Committee project will include the CBD building audit, review of property owner incentives to adapt buildings and an assessment of planning and regulatory reforms to enable reuse.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said adapting vacant spaces above shops could help fill the housing void and take the edge off the supply crisis.

“Adaptive re-use is also fast. While major developments can take years, converting an office into an apartment can take anywhere from six to nine months, depending on the site,” she said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said so-called adaptive reuse of city buildings would accelerate much-needed release of housing stock Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

An Advertiser Housing Forum last September heard Adelaide must pursue an aggressive growth strategy to double the CBD population, which should include conversion of old office buildings into housing.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan told the forum the current Adelaide City Council population of 25,000 was “in this day and age … absolutely laughable” — and should be doubled in the next 10-15 years.

Adelaide City Council’s recently released “State of the City Report” projected the CBD would be to home 46,364 residents by 2041.

“A particular challenge for forward planning is the volatility of the housing market,” the report said.

The Capital City Committee study follows an Adaptive Re-use Forum held at the Adelaide Town Hall in May.

A redevelopment of the former Franklin St bus station for a 392-apartment community, including 35 per cent affordable housing, was announced in May after the state government bought the land from the city council.