Crown & Anchor Hotel replaced by cafe and yoga in developer’s student tower plans

Supporters of the Crown & Anchor are planning to step up their protests as it’s revealed exactly what would become of the iconic live music hub under controversial plans.

The fight to save a historic Adelaide CBD pub is ramping up amid revelations a proposed development would destroy the hotel and replace it with a cafe.

Plans for the beloved Crown & Anchor on Grenfell St have revealed the inside of the building will be completely overhauled to make way for a cafe.

The 171-year-old pub’s front bar area is set to be converted to a retail or cafe space while the first floor will include a “yoga/dancing” area.

Accommodation for more than 700 students will be constructed above the current site to form an 19-storey tower.

In their submission to the State Commission Assessment Panel, MasterPlan, on behalf of developers Wee Hur argued the inside of the building was not historically significant.

The developers proposed that “the southern and eastern facades (are) the predominant elements of heritage value”.

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

It also noted that “the extensive internal changes over time” have “removed any significant heritage value” from the internal elements of the historic pub.

Wee Hur is also 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.

Following the announcement of the plans for the pub site, the redevelopment has been the subject of public outcry.

Greens MP Robert Simms said the “monster” developer was better suited to Lord of the Rings than Adelaide. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

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

Greens MLC Robert Simms said he wants the Crown & Anchor, also known as the Cranker, “protected and safeguarded in the future”.

Mr Simms has put forward a motion to amend current planning and heritage laws to include “cultural and social value” in addition to the physical structure.

Parliament will discuss the motion on May 1.

“What’s being proposed is a monster development,” he said.

“It’s something more out of Lord of the Rings than seen on the streets of Adelaide.”

Mr Simms said he has been rallying support for the motion.

In a last-ditch effort to oppose the redevelopment, a rally is scheduled for the morning of April 28, organised by the Save the Cranker Facebook page, where supporters will march from the pub to the steps of Parliament House.

They plan to lead the march with a band playing on the back of a truck and have encouraged other protesters to bring musical instruments.

“At a time when live music venues are closing across the state, at a time when there is vacant land in the city, this soulless tower is what will replace the Cranker?” the page read.

Opposition housing spokeswoman Michelle Lensink said “the Liberal Party will consider the motion, which is likely to be supported, noting such places of significance should be recognised on the State Heritage Register”.

Housing Minister Nick Champion said “the government is assessing the motion from the Greens”.

“The Crown and Anchor development application will be assessed by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) as delegate of the State Planning Commission,” he said.

“It is important that SCAP remains an independent committee to assess and determine development proposals in South Australia and not be influenced by politics.”

Originally published as Crown & Anchor Hotel replaced by cafe and yoga in developer’s student tower plans