News & Discussion: General CBD Development

[claybro]

.

Heard today of a new proposal in the works. New building comprised of offices, retail & supermarket behind the Newmarket Hotel on corner of Rose/Newmarket streets. No idea of height yet, but involves demolishing the existing chemist & pool hall buildings, and includes a pedestrian tunnel under North Tce across to the new RAH site.

Was in 2 minds about the location for the new hospital, but if what you heard is correct Wayno, then it could be the start of some much needed rejuvination of this NW pocket of the city, as more activity springs up to service the new hospital precinct.Could prove very positive for this area.

[Ben]

InterCon’s rejuvenation to start soon

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Liam Mannix

THE InterContinental Hotel’s redevelopment is close to being approved, with final designs currently in front of the Hotel’s Thai owners.

If all goes well the work is likely to be completed by December 2014 – but the investment will be less than the State Government had hoped.

The hotel’s refurbishment is one of the final pieces in the State Government’s vision for the Torrens Riverbank precinct, after locking in a new footbridge, redeveloping Adelaide Oval, and expanding the Convention Centre.

Adelaide Casino has plans for a huge redevelopment, and Walker Corporation is working with the government on concepts for the Festival Centre plaza.

InterContinental Adelaide General Manager James Allen wouldn’t reveal all the details, but told Indaily the entrance and colour scheme would change, and the interior would be refreshed.

The distinctive colour scheme has been the same since the hotel was known as the Hyatt Adelaide.

“It’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s in Bangkok now for final approval. I would have an indication probably by April or May that we will start refurbishment.

“[It] will encompass in a broad-brush sense the entrance to the hotel – so we take away the perception of the Hyatt colours. People say ‘well James, it’s been like this for 25 years’.

“There’ll be revolving doors, and different colour schemes and new lighting to the lobby.”

The hotel’s restaurants would be retained but would be substantially remodelled and likely renamed.

The government was expecting the InterContinental to spend between $40 and $50 million on the redevelopment, but Allen said the final spend would be lower.

“The final cost I can’t tell you. It’s all based on return to investment to the owner. It won’t be that much.”

Expansions to the Convention Centre and casino were key to the InterContinental’s redevelopment.

“The two biggest stakeholders for me are the Casino… and the convention facility. This hotel was built 25 years ago as the residential hotel for the conference centre.

“So whatever they do, their new facility they take to the world, they want their residential hotel to look as good.”

Allen said the casino, Convention Centre, Festival Centre and his hotel were working closely together in mapping out the offerings on the riverbank – and finding ways not to compete with each other.

“[we’re] complementing ourselves with what food and beverage outlets are proposed along the riverbank promenade.

“And trying not to compete with the casino and the oval – they’re going to have a lot of outlets, and the Convention Centre.

“The four stakeholders are really coming together… as one precinct.

“We don’t work in silos any more, we work together. I create packages for the festival centre. We house the international people from the casino, particularly from Asia.”

The casino and the oval would dominate the food and dining market on the riverbank, so Allen said he would look to focus on his core business – overnight beds.

“My business is tucking people into bed and keeping them safe.

“Our company brand is about experience. We will send people offsite to other restaurants and other experiences around Adelaide.

“If you’re a guest in the hotel, and we give you something really exciting to go to – instead of going up to the Barossa for a day trip go overnight … nine times out of 10 you’ll come back to my hotel and you’ll stay an extra night before you depart.”

[Shahkar]

I think what I want to know mainly is, if and what are they going to change the facade to?

[Patrick_27]

InterCon’s rejuvenation to start soon

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Liam Mannix

THE InterContinental Hotel’s redevelopment is close to being approved, with final designs currently in front of the Hotel’s Thai owners.

If all goes well the work is likely to be completed by December 2014 – but the investment will be less than the State Government had hoped.

The hotel’s refurbishment is one of the final pieces in the State Government’s vision for the Torrens Riverbank precinct, after locking in a new footbridge, redeveloping Adelaide Oval, and expanding the Convention Centre.

Adelaide Casino has plans for a huge redevelopment, and Walker Corporation is working with the government on concepts for the Festival Centre plaza.

InterContinental Adelaide General Manager James Allen wouldn’t reveal all the details, but told Indaily the entrance and colour scheme would change, and the interior would be refreshed.

The distinctive colour scheme has been the same since the hotel was known as the Hyatt Adelaide.

“It’s going to happen,” he said. “It’s in Bangkok now for final approval. I would have an indication probably by April or May that we will start refurbishment.

“[It] will encompass in a broad-brush sense the entrance to the hotel – so we take away the perception of the Hyatt colours. People say ‘well James, it’s been like this for 25 years’.

“There’ll be revolving doors, and different colour schemes and new lighting to the lobby.”

The hotel’s restaurants would be retained but would be substantially remodelled and likely renamed.

The government was expecting the InterContinental to spend between $40 and $50 million on the redevelopment, but Allen said the final spend would be lower.

“The final cost I can’t tell you. It’s all based on return to investment to the owner. It won’t be that much.”

Expansions to the Convention Centre and casino were key to the InterContinental’s redevelopment.

“The two biggest stakeholders for me are the Casino… and the convention facility. This hotel was built 25 years ago as the residential hotel for the conference centre.

“So whatever they do, their new facility they take to the world, they want their residential hotel to look as good.”

Allen said the casino, Convention Centre, Festival Centre and his hotel were working closely together in mapping out the offerings on the riverbank – and finding ways not to compete with each other.

“[we’re] complementing ourselves with what food and beverage outlets are proposed along the riverbank promenade.

“And trying not to compete with the casino and the oval – they’re going to have a lot of outlets, and the Convention Centre.

“The four stakeholders are really coming together… as one precinct.

“We don’t work in silos any more, we work together. I create packages for the festival centre. We house the international people from the casino, particularly from Asia.”

The casino and the oval would dominate the food and dining market on the riverbank, so Allen said he would look to focus on his core business – overnight beds.

“My business is tucking people into bed and keeping them safe.

“Our company brand is about experience. We will send people offsite to other restaurants and other experiences around Adelaide.

“If you’re a guest in the hotel, and we give you something really exciting to go to – instead of going up to the Barossa for a day trip go overnight … nine times out of 10 you’ll come back to my hotel and you’ll stay an extra night before you depart.”

It tests my patience at how brief, yet explanatory he has been... Personally, I'd like to see a new colour to the exterior that doesn't resemble every other building that has been built in Adelaide throughout the last 20 years, and some use made of the plaza at the front of the building.

[Matt]

Just spotted a Tweet from Tom Koutsantonis (@TKoutsantonisMP)

"Give us your views on our Riverbank proposal. Survey will be on this website
http://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/riverbank from 17-31 March."

Strange website - very basic "vision" (as they call it). Have we stepped back in time?

I thought we'd gone through this process once already, and the Riverbank Draft Masterplan was born?!
http://infrastructure.sa.gov.au/major_p ... cinct/news

Can anyone shed some light?

[Matt]

"Unfolding over 20 years..."

[Nathan]

That looks like it was very much rushed together. Had their been any mention of an open day before yesterday? Interesting that there's a thought of a massive upgrade for Bonython Park in 2036 for the bicentenary - but if 2036 is their date, why not be more ambitious? Instead of Bonython Park, how about the entire parklands?

[SRW]

Are they listing "minimal private investment" as though that's a good thing?

[Wayno]

Give them your feedback please as requested by Koutsantonis ==> http://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/riverbank

2 cafes - wtf! should be multiple ranging from casual to formal - with a concentration in the KWS to Morphett Bridge section.

20 years for the entire stretch of riverbank should be ok, but not for the central portion (again between KWS & Morphett Bridge)

and suggest we make it clear the riverbank is important for Adelaide & SA and maximum private investment is required. My concern is Labour may get ousted at the next election and the Libs will cancel the lot unless private funding is involved.

[Waewick]

Give them your feedback please as requested by Koutsantonis ==> http://renewalsa.sa.gov.au/riverbank

2 cafes - wtf! should be multiple ranging from casual to formal - with a concentration in the KWS to Morphett Bridge section.

20 years for the entire stretch of riverbank should be ok, but not for the central portion (again between KWS & Morphett Bridge)

and suggest we make it clear the riverbank is important for Adelaide & SA and maximum private investment is required. My concern is Labour may get ousted at the next election and the Libs will cancel the lot unless private funding is involved.

isn't this just Hamilton Smiths idea remodelled without a new stadium?

[Shahkar]

Uhhh, these are the comparisons posted on the website yet they did pretty much the opposite for most things?

[Pants]

I'm pretty sure the Adelaide Riverbank figures are of what's currently there.

It's confusing, but they wouldn't make 2 vs. 94 and 81 restaurants/cafes and minimal vs. significant private investment a mission statement!

[rhino]

I hope you're right!

[Patrick_27]

Well, if that is a revised master-plan of the Riverside Project, I'll be voting Liberal's in March, 2014. 2 cafe's/restaurants? What a down-plan to what was originally proposed!

[Nathan]

Well, if that is a revised master-plan of the Riverside Project, I'll be voting Liberal's in March, 2014. 2 cafe's/restaurants? What a down-plan to what was originally proposed!

Did you even read the last few comments? That's from a comparison of riverside precincts as they are now.
http://www.renewalsa.sa.gov.au/Getinvol ... isons.aspx