News & Discussion: Height Limits

[Ho Really]

I think a uniform limit across the entire square mile, with restrictions around squares and heritage areas to allow light in and such like the new Brisbane plan is best... that way it allows for an "organic" skyline to develop. For some reason I think that would be more pleasing to the eye and make the city look like a more happening place than a "sculpted" skyline.

Are you saying we may see commercial or apartment towers on East, West and South Terraces equalling in height those in the CBD core? I like freedom, but it may go a little far.

Cheers

[jimmy_2486]

I think that would be a great thing.

[duke]

I think a uniform limit across the entire square mile, with restrictions around squares and heritage areas to allow light in and such like the new Brisbane plan is best... that way it allows for an "organic" skyline to develop. For some reason I think that would be more pleasing to the eye and make the city look like a more happening place than a "sculpted" skyline.

Are you saying we may see commercial or apartment towers on East, West and South Terraces equalling in height those in the CBD core? I like freedom, but it may go a little far.

Cheers

Apartments in a highrise the size of Westpac (Santos) along the parkland's would be awesome. They would have such a nice view, and maybe people will actually start using the parkland's then, if there are that many people living across from them.
I love the look of the high rise buildings around Central Park in New York. all flat then suddenly a wall of buildings.

[jimmy_2486]

Good point mentioned there..... how often do you see the parklands bare??

As much as they are a big part of adelaide, they seem to be a waste of space.

[rhino]

Good point mentioned there..... how often do you see the parklands bare??

As much as they are a big part of adelaide, they seem to be a waste of space.

A currently underutilized space maybe, but I would never call them a waste of space.

[jimmy_2486]

That was my point.

[Ho Really]

Are you guys sure that having one height limit right across the square mile is the right thing? I know it is way too far into the future but wouldn't Adelaide look like one big square plateau of glass and cement?

I'm not against having highrise apartments border the parklands. These would be very popular for the unobstructed views. What happens to those in apartments further in? Just posing questions.

Cheers

[Cruise]

I'm not against having highrise apartments border the parklands. These would be very popular for the unobstructed views. What happens to those in apartments further in? Just posing questions.

Cheers

they have to build higher

[Ho Really]

I'm not against having highrise apartments border the parklands. These would be very popular for the unobstructed views. What happens to those in apartments further in? Just posing questions.

Cheers

they have to build higher

I was expecting that (logical) answer, but you still have a height limit to respect (for whatever reason).

Cheers

[Ben]

As I posted in the Adelaide Airport thread today in this weeks messenger it mentions plans to build a hotel at Adelaide Airport up to 8 Levels as the height limits on Adelaide Airport land is 8 levels. How can this be so when a building of 8 levels is considered too high on West Terrace because the ACC claims the "Airport authority" have imposed these limits. That sounds unlikely after hearing of the Airport land hieght limits.

[Shuz]

Now that we have the damn evidence, just bloody go to court to the ACC to have them lift the limitations! Bloody hell.
I think a uniform limitation should be applied to the square mile, a gradient limitation across North Adelaide (because of the flight path, where the logic is!) and then spatially distributed across the metropolitian area.

Say, 700ft CBD, 50m North Adelaide, 70m Port Adelaide, 60m Glenelg, and then a standard metro limit of 40m? Im not too sure on the idea of Santos-sized apartment towers along our parkland fringe... in the CBD itd be ok, but not in the metro.

[Ho Really]

As I posted in the Adelaide Airport thread today in this weeks messenger it mentions plans to build a hotel at Adelaide Airport up to 8 Levels as the height limits on Adelaide Airport land is 8 levels. How can this be so when a building of 8 levels is considered too high on West Terrace because the ACC claims the "Airport authority" have imposed these limits. That sounds unlikely after hearing of the Airport land hieght limits.

I think you should contact AAL and find out why, but I think the reason why there are those limits at the airport is because of radar issues.

Cheers

[Bulldozer]

I doubt that at first we'd be seeing 30-storey or higher buildings on the edge of the parklands. I can see 10-storey buildings of whole-floor apartments and such, as parkland views would command a premium and sense of exclusivity. Having viewed the parklands from the apartments at the end of Rundle St and from the hotel in Hindmarsh Square I can say that they are a magnificent view. Viewing them from such an angle really made it clear to me just how visionary Light's plan was it was truly more than a century ahead of its time.

Anyway, as for the uniform height limit I did say that there should be lower limits around the squares and heritage areas so that light may enter. I think that is where Brisbane City Council is getting it right. I just happen to think that the skyline would be more interesting and give the impression of a dynamic and vibrant city if it is allowed to develop organically with minimal constraints. If the skyline is forced to develop in the 'pyramidal' shape then I fear it will look bland and artificial.

I would also like to see a greater emphasis being placed upon the quality of building designs. Adelaide has too many ugly buildings that appear to have been done on the cheap. I'm not too keen on some of the recent additions and proposals either. Actually, given the choice between quality design and higher limits I would choose quality design. The quality and aesthetics of your surrounds influence the way you feel.

[Ho Really]

...If the skyline is forced to develop in the 'pyramidal' shape then I fear it will look bland and artificial.

I agree, because the core is such a small area at present and with the current height restrictions the Westpac building will be basically the top of the pyramid, however I doubt very much this would happen if the core and adjacent areas were to be extended and heights raised. The city will always have a CBD and that's where the tallest buidlings ought to be. The squares and heritage precincts should have limits as you said. In others, where there are already residential buildings there could be some limits for high rise apartments. The apartments could also be built (arranged) in clusters with varying heights. The city won't be a true pyramid or a Disney-castle, but it will have most of its tallest (commercial) buildings together. That's the way I see it anyway.

I would also like to see a greater emphasis being placed upon the quality of building designs. Adelaide has too many ugly buildings that appear to have been done on the cheap. I'm not too keen on some of the recent additions and proposals either. Actually, given the choice between quality design and higher limits I would choose quality design. The quality and aesthetics of your surrounds influence the way you feel.

Absolutely! Design and functionality come first, and if height can go with it, it is a bonus.

Cheers

[Rob5089]

I would also like to see a greater emphasis being placed upon the quality of building designs. Adelaide has too many ugly buildings that appear to have been done on the cheap. I'm not too keen on some of the recent additions and proposals either. Actually, given the choice between quality design and higher limits I would choose quality design. The quality and aesthetics of your surrounds influence the way you feel.

I would have to agree with that. I think our tallest building is one of the ugliest buildings we have! Someone has to fix the exterior of that brown piece of poo. A hideous eyesore!