Controversial Freemasons skyscraper development facing heritage lobby pushback amid criticism of shape and location

The Free Masons and Pelligra say their $400m plans for North Tce will be a stylish and valuable contribution to Adelaide. Critics are not convinced.

A 37-storey building set to be Adelaide’s first skyscraper has divided heritage advocates because of its location and “glass box” shape, as public consultation on the controversial project nears an end.

The $400 million Keystone Tower is a venture by the Freemasons with developer Pelligra and is currently before the state planning panel.

If approved, it would be built behind the fraternity’s heritage-listed hall on North Terrace, measuring 183m tall and featuring a 236-room hotel, office space and a state history museum.

Debbie Williams runs the Facebook page “Help save South Australia’s history from demolition” and has been inundated with comments blasting the development.

“To allow the Freemasons to make such a monumental statement on our cultural boulevard is a distinct slap in the face to our prestigious terrace,” Mrs Williams said.

“It’s slowly being destroyed by unimaginative boxes, all claiming architectural advancement, and innovative design. It is staggering that this build seems to be the best they can do.”

The developers have also been criticised for seeking to demolish the heritage-listed Great Hall at the building’s rear in order to pave way for the tower.

Artist's impressions of the $400 million Keystone Tower behind Freemasons Hall on North Tce. Picture: Supplied by Freemasons SA/NT

The Keystone Tower is being pushed through by Freemasons SA/NT and Pelligra Group. Picture: Supplied by Marriott International

In 2020, the Freemasons said repairing the Great Hall would cost around $8.5 million.

Mrs Williams blamed “poor past management” and lack of maintenance for its condition.

“The neglect of the Great Hall has taken decades, although granted, the current membership are now faced with such neglect,” Ms Williams said.

“An urgent need for cash to now repair said damage should be no surprise.”

Greens MLC Robert Simms said North Terrace was the wrong spot for the build.

At 37 storeys high it’s set to tower over Adelaide’s other buildings. Picture: Supplied by Marriott International

“I’m not against the idea of having a large-scale tower in the CBD, but for me the key question is location,” Mr Simms said.

“We want to make sure the design is tasteful and doesn’t undermine any of the heritage buildings surrounding it.

He described it as a “curious use of prime, decent land”.

“Do we really need another hotel in the CBD, and more office space when we have a number of office buildings sitting vacant in the city?” Mr Simms said.

Detractors say the design is an unappealing glass box set in one of the city’s most historically rich precincts. Picture: Supplied by Freemasons SA/NT

“We’re in the middle of a housing crisis, and if you’re going to have a large-scale tower of this kind, it would make more sense to have housing as part of that.”

However, History Trust of SA chair Elizabeth Ho OAM has defended the build and said the Freemasons have approached the Trust about operating a 5-level museum of South Australian history in the tower.

The Trust has been trying to secure space for the museum for 40 years.

“If the decision had been made 15 years ago that the precinct would have no tall buildings, then the situation might be different,” Ms Ho said.

“From my point of view, the main issue is there is an investment in the lodge, and an investment in the future by making a cultural offering to the South Australian public.

“This new museum would go right back to our Aboriginal foundation 65,000 years ago up to more recent times, and also point out some of the great inventions and contributions right across medicine, sport, and even our great Antarctic explorers.

“What we have here is an opportunity to preserve this wonderful asset and serve the community by presenting a 21st-century vision inside it.”

TIP Group head of wealth Michael Baragwanath, a consultant on the development, said it would be “a subtle yet strong contribution to the style of Adelaide”.

“The ground floor lobby area will retain the grandeur of the rear hall it replaces, with 85 per cent of the floor space of the original building being retained,” Mr Baragwanath said.

“The main building fronting North Terrace will receive an estimated $8 million restoration, retaining all aspects of built heritage and restoring it to its original 1927 glory.”

Public consultation through PlanSA will close on January 17.