‘Unique’ slimline hotel set to tower over 8m-wide North Terrace lot
Adelaide’s skinniest hotel could soon tower over a site not much bigger than a car park, and despite its “unique” proportions it’s set to get the green light.
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A slimline 16-storey hotel and cafe complex “geared towards the younger tourist demographic” is set to be approved this week.
274 North Terrace Pty Ltd has applied to the State Commission Assessment Panel to build the $17.5 million hotel — which has a frontage less than 8m to North Tce — on the Budget Car & Truck Hire site.
The development includes a cafe, 253 hotel rooms, 17 of which have been modified for people with a disability.
A council report said the development would be a micro hotel — a type of venue that is budget, minimalist and compact without forsaking style.
In comparison, the ibis Adelaide, on the corner of Twin and Grenfell streets, which has a slightly smaller block size has a frontage of 15.28m to Twin St.
“In response to a growing micro hotel trend, the accommodation type has been geared towards the younger tourist demographic,” a report on behalf of the developer to the panel said.
“Unique in its proportions, our site has remained underutilised as a rental vehicle carpark and office.”
While the site is listed as being on North Tce, the primary entrance would be on Frome St, which has a frontage of 59.2m.
The hotel abuts Adelaide City Council’s north-south separated bikeway, however, it contains no bike parking spaces, which the council said was “unreasonable”.
Under the council’s development plan, there should be a minimum of nine bicycle parking spaces.
The developer’s report said guests were unlikely to bring a bicycle with them and, if they needed one, could use a free bike service or other public transport option.
Adelaide City Cr and cycling advocate Helen Donovan said the lack of parking was a “poor business decision”
“Premier Steven Marshall has committed to investing in a world-class Great Southern Bike Trail from Adelaide to Melbourne.,” Cr Donovan said.
“Once built, this will bring even more cycle tourism into our city … hotels with a ‘bike-friendly’ reputation will reap the rewards.”
274 North Terrace Pty Ltd is a subsidiary of Hines Property and managing director James Hines was contacted for comment.
Hines Property’s previous developments include the Conservatory on Hindmarsh Sq, the Ibis Adelaide Hotel on Grenfell St and the Pullman Adelaide Hotel.