Planet nightclub office tower approved but go-ahead for $60 million North Terrace student tower deferred

A $72.6 million office building to replace the empty Planet nightclub has been approved but the fate of a controversial student tower for North Tce remains up in the air.

An artists’s impression of the Woods Bagot designed 21-storey office tower at 83 Pirie Street which was approved yesterday, and would replace the existing Planet nightclub. Picture: Adelaide Development Company

A $72.6 million office building to replace the empty Planet nightclub has been approved but developers of a controversial student housing will need to convince the state's planning commission of its architectural merit before getting the go ahead.

The State Assessment Commission Panel yesterday approved Adelaide Development Company’s proposal to tear down the Pirie Street nightclub building — which has been empty since 2004 — and replace it with a 21-storey office tower designed by Woods Bagot.

At the same meeting the panel deferred consideration of Global Student Accommodation’s plans for a $60 million, 680-bed complex on North Tce until it could “demonstrate the external materials and finishes will deliver the stated architectural integrity” according to panel meeting minutes released today.

Artist’s impression of the Global Student Accommodation building proposed for the corner of North Tce and Frome Rd. Source: GSA

The 34-storey building, designed by Melbourne architects Rothelowman, would replace the existing First Church of Christ Scientist Building on the southwest corner of North Tce and Frome St.

The deferral comes after The Advertiser reported on concerns from associate government architect Nick Tridente about the building’s design in respect of the “existing streetscape and character”

“It will be critical that the proposal presents a convincing response to the established character of the city’s premier boulevard, which in my opinion, is yet to be successfully demonstrated,” he wrote in his submission to the panel ahead of yesterday’s meeting.

Global Student Accommodation proposal for 34-storey building on corner of North Tce and Frome Rd.

Global Student Accommodation proposal for 34-storey building on corner of North Tce and Frome Rd.

The SCAP also recommended greater “pedestrian protection” at the ground level and a provision of more “realistic streetscape imagery” that includes “existing and approved developments”.

Panel meetings are closed to the public and the media, with the next meeting scheduled for March 22.