Multistorey student housing development plans for Crown & Anchor Grenfell St site revealed

The full scale of a 19-storey proposed student housing development on the site of the imperilled Cranker has been revealed. See the documents.

First pictures of a student housing development earmarked for the heritage-listed Crown & Anchor site have been revealed – removing any doubt the pub’s operations will be ceased if the project goes ahead.

Posters have been hung at the Crown & Anchor, on Grenfell St, unveiling the first visual of the proposed development, while the full plans have been released on PlanSA’s website.

Documents reveal the venue’s ground floor – currently home to the historic 171-year-old pub – will be gutted, retaining only the site’s heritage-listed facade.

Instead, a retail space, lobby, laundry, reception, admin centre and gym will take its place.

Plans include a 120-bike park but no on-site carparking.

Public consultation will be open from Friday, April 19 until Friday, May 10.

Plans have been revealed for 19-storey student housing on the heritage-listed Crown & Anchor site on Grenfell St. Picture: Brown Falconer Architects

Plans have been revealed for 19-storey student housing on the heritage-listed Crown & Anchor site on Grenfell St. Picture: Brown Falconer Architects

A Planning and Land Use Services spokesperson said the consultation period provided an opportunity to provide feedback on the development, with public responses submitted online automatically uploaded to the PlanSA website.

As revealed by The Advertiser, Singapore-based purpose-built student accommodation developer Wee Hur Holdings Ltd has lodged plans for multistorey student accommodation for 188 Grenfell St, the site of the Crown & Anchor, and 196 Grenfell St, currently home to venues Roxie’s and Chateau Apollo.

Wee Hur Holdings’ application proposes “partial demolition and adaptive reuse” of the site, alongside an “ancillary shop on the ground floor and associated amenities, services and landscaping”.

The Crown & Anchor pub looks set to be shut down under development plans. Picture: Brown Falconer Architects

One of the proposed student housing bedrooms. Picture: Brown Falconer Architects

The construction and property development company is behind the CBD’s 17-storey UniLodge high-rise on Gray St, which houses 756 students, as well as the $90m, 16-storey Y Suites on Waymouth St, with 811 beds.

The heritage-listed, Victorian-era Crown & Anchor cannot be knocked down, but the proposed adaptive reuse has thrown the pub’s business operations into doubt.

Examples of adaptive reuse developments of heritage-listed sites – which often involves retaining the facade of the building – include the former Adelaide Brewery site on Wyatt St, Electra House on King William St and Lot 14.

Earlier this month, live music fans packed out Adelaide City Council’s public gallery and Parliament House to rally for the venue’s future, with council voting to write to Premier Peter Malinauskas “expressing concerns about the potential loss of a key live music venue”.

In bittersweet recognition, the pub, affectionately known as ‘the Cranker’, last week joined an esteemed list of inner-city venues including The Wheatsheaf and The Governor Hindmarsh in being awarded for its contribution to SA’s musical heritage.

Crown & Anchor proprietor Tom Skipper (left), and Crown & Anchor supporter group members, Liberty Li, Dan Bogan Kirk, and Evan Morony. Picture: Dean Martin

Music SA chair Dr Enrico Morena said the Crown & Anchor – now the last remaining live music venue of its size in the city’s east end – was part of Adelaide’s folklore and a hallmark of the city’s music culture.

Crown & Anchor proprietor Tom Skipper, who holds the lease to the venue, revealed he only learned of development plans when they were publicly released – a move that prompted swift public outcry.

While the venue’s future remains under a development cloud, Mr Skipper urged its supporters to continue their advocacy.

“The best thing (the public) can do is write letters of support when SCAP (the State Commission Assessment Panel) opens for public consultation on the application,” he said.

“Jump on the Facebook page or the website and sign the petition, every little bit helps.”