[U/C] 88 O'Connell Street | 63m | 13, 13 and 15 Levels | Mixed Use

[Patrick_27]

abc is correct on this one. There were many proposals which received approvals over the years but the developers either sat on it, demolished previously occupied buildings then sat on it or just sold it to realise the capital gain that comes from having a site with a higher height limit than prior to the development application.

Le Cornu only occupied about a third of this site.

My former brother-in-law was Con Makris' son. Every proposal that Makris Group put forward for this site was either flat-out rejected by the ACC (pre-SCAP days) or undermined via other means post-SCAP, not because of a vocal residential minority but by none other than Theo Maras who had long wanted his hands on this site, be it through his influence with the council or finding other means to cause delays on the project, he was the faceless man behind the ACC's demands for a multi-level carpark and a few ground level shops. Now that said, Makris Group did stall on the last proposed plans for this site, for two reasons: 1. they had focused their resources on building up their suburban shopping centre portfolio, and then 2. they were winding back their Adelaide footprint in anticipation for relocating the business to Gold Coast.

Another person that I was close with before they sadly passed away was a gentleman that held a very senior position at Wallis Cinemas for 45-years. His comments were that Bob Wallis relinquished this site to Makris for a peanuts on the condition that Makris get it built and allow space for cinema complex somewhere within this site. At the time, Bob Wallis wanted to close the Piccadilly and convert it back into a single auditorium for film premieres and live events. Wallis Theatres (as they were known at the time) had also been dealing with the same opposition from Theo Maras when they owned the site.

From my recollection, Wallis Cinemas owned the LeCornu portion of the site, Makris bought the remainder of this block and bulldozed the lot with plans to develop the entire block. To date, pictured is my favourite Makris proposal for this site; it's classy and full of character.

[abc]

abc is correct on this one. There were many proposals which received approvals over the years but the developers either sat on it, demolished previously occupied buildings then sat on it or just sold it to realise the capital gain that comes from having a site with a higher height limit than prior to the development application.

Le Cornu only occupied about a third of this site.

My former brother-in-law was Con Makris' son. Every proposal that Makris Group put forward for this site was either flat-out rejected by the ACC (pre-SCAP days) or undermined via other means post-SCAP, not because of a vocal residential minority but by none other than Theo Maras who had long wanted his hands on this site, be it through his influence with the council or finding other means to cause delays on the project, he was the faceless man behind the ACC's demands for a multi-level carpark and a few ground level shops. Now that said, Makris Group did stall on the last proposed plans for this site, for two reasons: 1. they had focused their resources on building up their suburban shopping centre portfolio, and then 2. they were winding back their Adelaide footprint in anticipation for relocating the business to Gold Coast.

Another person that I was close with before they sadly passed away was a gentleman that held a very senior position at Wallis Cinemas for 45-years. His comments were that Bob Wallis relinquished this site to Makris for a peanuts on the condition that Makris get it built and allow space for cinema complex somewhere within this site. At the time, Bob Wallis wanted to close the Piccadilly and convert it back into a single auditorium for film premieres and live events. Wallis Theatres (as they were known at the time) had also been dealing with the same opposition from Theo Maras when they owned the site.

From my recollection, Wallis Cinemas owned the LeCornu portion of the site, Makris bought the remainder of this block and bulldozed the lot with plans to develop the entire block. To date, pictured is my favourite Makris proposal for this site; it's classy and full of character.

I remember that one. I thought we were getting that and we ended up with generic crap.

[Nathan]

To date, pictured is my favourite Makris proposal for this site; it's classy and full of character.

I found that proposal horribly tacky, like a theme-park main-street pastiche. Would have looked just as dated as North Adelaide Village across the road.

[ynotsfables]

To date, pictured is my favourite Makris proposal for this site; it's classy and full of character.

I found that proposal horribly tacky, like a theme-park main-street pastiche. Would have looked just as dated as North Adelaide Village across the road.

Absolutely agree,what is being built now is by far much better than that old proposal.

[Prodical]

It is a bit ironic that both Le Cornue sites were dormant for years with failed proposals and nothing happening.

It is really good that O'Connell Street and Frewville are now both underway, with each offering something different and "unique" that contributes to life in Adelaide

[Spotto]

It is a bit ironic that both Le Cornue sites were dormant for years with failed proposals and nothing happening.

Thankfully the Anzac Highway site was dormant for less than 10 years instead of over 30 years!

[rev]

My former brother-in-law was Con Makris' son. Every proposal that Makris Group put forward for this site was either flat-out rejected by the ACC (pre-SCAP days) or undermined via other means post-SCAP, not because of a vocal residential minority but by none other than Theo Maras who had long wanted his hands on this site, be it through his influence with the council or finding other means to cause delays on the project, he was the faceless man behind the ACC's demands for a multi-level carpark and a few ground level shops. Now that said, Makris Group did stall on the last proposed plans for this site, for two reasons: 1. they had focused their resources on building up their suburban shopping centre portfolio, and then 2. they were winding back their Adelaide footprint in anticipation for relocating the business to Gold Coast.

Another person that I was close with before they sadly passed away was a gentleman that held a very senior position at Wallis Cinemas for 45-years. His comments were that Bob Wallis relinquished this site to Makris for a peanuts on the condition that Makris get it built and allow space for cinema complex somewhere within this site. At the time, Bob Wallis wanted to close the Piccadilly and convert it back into a single auditorium for film premieres and live events. Wallis Theatres (as they were known at the time) had also been dealing with the same opposition from Theo Maras when they owned the site.

From my recollection, Wallis Cinemas owned the LeCornu portion of the site, Makris bought the remainder of this block and bulldozed the lot with plans to develop the entire block. To date, pictured is my favourite Makris proposal for this site; it's classy and full of character.

Thank god the following didn't get built..


I think the one you posted did include a cinema complex. Would have preferred that get built as opposed to anything else proposed that I've seen or what's being built now.
The open mall area I think would have been a pretty good outcome if it had been lined with cafes/restaurants and retail. Would have been an excellent location for some of the high end retail outlets that have opened up elsewhere, or potentially attracting more.

Here's some other images from past proposals..
not sure what year this one's from


1989


1993


2005

[Algernon]

The 2005 proposal had its own share of bluster including a 6 star hotel. Nobody at the time knew what 6 stars was, including the group proposing it.

[Howie]

Interesting pics Rev, thanks for posting.

[AndyWelsh]

From today:











Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AndyWelsh]

From today:












Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AndyWelsh]

From today;






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Will]

Very comprehensive photo-update. thanks for sharing!

[Waewick]

They don't look that bad.

[Dvious]

I think the bumpy concrete facings that are installed to the white horizontal banding and balustrades has helped bring the overall aesthetic up.