Citify makes changes to failed 10-storey apartment proposal for the Buckingham Arms hotel in a bid for approval
Developers behind a failed 10-storey apartment plan have made ‘significant changes’ in a bid to get new designs approved. See the pics and have your say.
SA News
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A new plan has been lodged to redevelop the Buckingham Arms Hotel, after a previous bid for a 10-storey apartment complex was rejected by the State Commission Assessment Panel.
The plan, released today for public consultation, proposes 116 apartments, 57 tourist apartments and a reduced footprint for restaurants, at 1-9 Walkerville Tce, Gilberton.
Adelaide developers Citify had their original $150m plan for the site knocked back by SCAP in March, as it ‘negatively impacts’ its local heritage through scale and design.
That plan had included 182 apartments and a small number of tourist apartments.
The new design responds to the reasons for refusal with developers saying ‘significant changes’ have been made to break up the proposed buildings scale and mass.
The building height still remained the same at 31.85m, but the building mass would be spread over three different ‘distinct vertical forms’ and varied in their setbacks.
The buildings would have a ‘landscaped communal open space with pool’ and communal facilities such as a golf simulator, gym, cinema, private function room and wine room.
The proposed development, designed by Stallard Meek Flightpath Architects, also included the adaptive reuse of the Buckingham Arts Hotel, built in 1846, as a restaurant.
Citify managing director Joel Wilkinson said the new concept incorporated significant changes to address concerns expressed by stakeholders and community members.
“We believe the design is considerably more sympathetic to the adjoining local heritage place, which will be restored under the new plans,” Mr Wilkinson said in a statement.
“We have reduced the commercial space, added nearly 1500sq m of communal open space and we are proposing diverse accommodation options and amenities for residents and visitors.”
Adelaide MP Lucy Hood has advocated against the 10-storey development due to its size and scale and previously said “it doesn’t really pass the pub test”.
She updated affected residents of the latest application in a letter dated September 30.
Citify, in July, also lodged a separate plan for 29 three-storey townhouses for the site, if its latest plan is rejected.
The proposed development is being assessed by Walkerville Council’s Assessment Panel.
Meanwhile, Citify is appealing SCAP’s original decision to knock back its plan in the Environment Resources Court.
The developer acquired the site in 2022, which had a rezoning to allow residential and mixed-use development of up to six storeys.
An ‘incentive policy’ in therules for the site allowed for taller buildings where the development delivered ‘specified and measurable performance outcomes’.
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