Eight-storey rezoning bid for proposed mixed-use building at Keswick

Talks are underway to get the stalling project off the ground again, with a portion of the vast space to be set aside for housing.

Maras Group originally submitted this design for an office building on Richmond Rd, Keswick, but now it wants to upgrade the four-storey design to a total of eight floors, including apartment dwellings. Picture: Supplied

A proposed four-storey mixed-use building just outside Adelaide’s CBD could grow to eight floors and support 300 dwellings, in a bid to activate the prime real estate parcel.

The site at 12-22 Richmond Rd, Keswick, was five years ago earmarked for a futuristic, glass-walled office complex by local developer Maras Group.

However, planning authorities are considering a request to permit building up to eight storeys in order to “facilitate a future mixed-use development”, according to project consultant Future Urban.

Senior consultant Belinda Monier said if rezoning is approved, the new build would feature “an affordable and social housing component, accommodating approximately 300 dwellings and 1,000 sqm of ground level retail / commercial space”.

The current office building at 12-22 Richmond Rd, Keswick, the proposed site of a new eight-storey mixed-use development by developer Maras Group and Cambridge Private Capital. Picture: Google Maps

James Arsenikakis of Cambridge Private Capital has joined the venture, alongside high-profile Adelaide businessman Theo Maras.

In supporting documents, Future Urban pointed to the site’s walking distance from the Adelaide Showground train station, bus stops and the park lands, as well the potential for views to the CBD and out to the sea.

The road also runs alongside an existing Urban Corridor zone on Anzac Highway, where scores of apartment buildings have been built over the past decade.

Property developer Theo Maras is driving a proposal to rezone the land parcel, along with James Arsenikakis of Cambridge Private Capital. Picture: Supplied

No design plans have yet been lodged and it is unknown when PlanSA will hand down a decision.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Nick Champion said it “makes sense to explore whether building heights should be increased” on the land in order to make the design pivot work.

“As part of the code amendment process, further investigations will be undertaken on traffic and social impacts before it opens for community consultation,” Mr Champion said.

Currently, the lot is occupied by a two-storey office block, situated next to the SA Power Networks tower and across the road from the Emergency Services Headquarters complex.

Originally published as Eight-storey rezoning bid for proposed mixed-use building at Keswick