Developer lodges 32-storey proposal for Newmarket Hotel site, much larger than $200m twin-tower design

A 32-storey tower could replace two smaller buildings under surprise plans for a city hotel, which has been trashed by vandals.

A 32-storey tower could replace two smaller buildings under surprise plans for a city hotel, which has been trashed by vandals.

Singapore-backed One North Tce (Aust) has applied for a single “mixed-use” tower behind the historic Newmarket Hotel

The application came a fortnight before a meeting of the State Commission Assessment Panel to determine whether to approve the company’s original smaller $200m, 23-storey twin-tower scheme.

The SCAP voted on Wednesday, March 24 to defer deliberation on the initial plan - which would include 401 apartments and refurbishment of the 1883 State Heritage-listed hotel - pending a potential redesign of the podium of the project.

Both projects would involve demolition of heritage-listed stables and rear wing of the Newmarket Hotel.

Vandals recently broke into the building and damaged the iconic original spiral staircase and have graffitied walls of the hotel.

The magnificent freestanding cedar and pine staircase in the Newmarket Hotel in 1985

And after vandals gained access to the property. Picture: SA Planning Commission

The pictures elicited an angry response on social media from people accusing developers of allowing the damage.

“Yet again a state heritage listing means nothing, owners have allowed this significant historical site to be trashed within,” the Help Save South Australia’s History From Demolition said. “Vandalism does not happen by ‘accident’, it happens due to beyond poor maintenance and security.

“With adequate security, and management, the Newmarket Hotel, would NOT be left like this.”

The Newmarket Hotel on the corner of North and West terraces.

Someone else posted: “Unbelievable lack of respect for a historic building from whoever did this and those in power who didn’t protect it.”

The Advertiser sought comment Chris Vounasis, director of the project’s planning firm Future Urban, about the new proposal.

The new plans would likely dwarf the existing 81.1m plan – itself nearly double the maximum 43m limit in the area.

Supplied Editorial One North Terrace

The Newmarket Hotel and former HQ entertainment complex.

A planning report to SCAP stated 288 of the studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments in the existing plan would not meet minimum Adelaide City Council guidelines for interior living space.

In Wednesday’s SCAP hearing, member Paul Leadbeter asked Mr Vounasis why, “given the additional height” were “every apartment below the minimum size”.

Mr Vounasis said a high proportion met the minimum size, that each apartment had natural light and ventilation and there was communal open space within the building, which also had access to the Parklands.

The building would also have 15 per cent affordable housing, which Mr Vounasis said would be spread through the building in a “salt and pepper” approach.

Mr Vounasis had previously said in a statement the staircase would be restored as part of heritage conservation works planned for the Newmarket.

“The developer is very conscious of the continual threat of break-ins and the building has high levels of monitored security,” he said at the time.

VIEW THE PLANNING REPORT FOR ONE NORTH TCE