Three-storey brick and glass retail, office, tourism development proposed for Murray St, Gawler

A three-storey development featuring stunning brick and glass would replace tired old shops in Gawler’s main street, right beside the heritage clock tower.

Artist impression of a proposed three-storey retail, office and accommodation building along Gawler's main street. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

Buildings beside Gawler’s heritage post office in the main street would be demolished for a three-storey retail, office and accommodation development under a new plan.

The building, with a brickwork-and-glass facade designed to blend in with and reflect Gawler’s historic existing buildings, aims to create a “new era of urban activation” for the main street.

Artist impression of a proposed three-storey retail, office and accommodation building along Gawler's main street. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

It would replace three empty single-storey shops across 41-57 Murray St right beside the State Heritage-listed clock tower and post office.

Retail and offices across two levels would front on Murray St, rising to match the height of the post office.

Artist impression of where the proposed three-storey building would meet the post office building in Gawler's main street. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

The same spot right now.

Artist impression of the proposed development, looking from High St. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

Artist impression of the proposed development, looking from High St. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

Artist impression of the proposed development, looking from High St. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

Artist impression of the building from Murray St. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

Light MP Tony Piccolo said it was a welcome investment in the town.

“The community are looking forward to those previous shops, which have been empty for some time, being redeveloped, attracting new businesses and increasing the vibrancy of the main street,” he said.

The third level – fronting on to High St, with additional entry from Thorup Lane – would offer about 26 tourist accommodation rooms and hit a maximum of 11.3m.

Another retail space with stunning floor-to-ceiling glazing is planned for something like a cafe on High St, while a projecting rooftop garden is planned for the corner with Thorup Lane.

Overall, the building would boast more than 6000 sqm of floor space across the three levels.

The project would exceed local building heights by one storey, but because of the sloping site, the design aims to appear like two storeys from the main street, planning documents say, and one storey from High St.

Led by local developer Ginos Group and designed by John Byleveld Architects, the plans say the mixed-use building aims to “harmonise” contemporary architecture with the heritage character of its surroundings and reflect “traditional” shopfronts.

The traditional shopfronts along Murray St in Gawler, where the proposed three-storey development would be built.

Artist impression of a proposed three-storey retail, office and accommodation building along Gawler's main street. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

High St in Gawler as it looks now.

The view from High St. Picture: John Byleveld Architects

A multi-level carpark with 56 spaces is included in the plans.

All buildings on the site would be demolished – none are heritage listed, the plans say, and an assessment found while they’re “representative” they bear almost no resemblance to the early historic shops originally on the site.

The development would expose original stone detailing on the post office currently hidden from view.

It also plans to widen and activate Thorup Lane.

Ginos Group was contacted for comment. The plans are on consultation until July 2.

Originally published as Three-storey brick and glass retail, office, tourism development proposed for Murray St, Gawler