[COM] Rundle Place | 76m | 15lvls | Retail & Office

[AtD]

This building was submitted to council just over a year ago.

[Shuz]

The proposal is alright; but I too believe it should be 4 levels high, in sync with the existing facade. The lane-way holds much potential to be vibrant and characteristic.

[jk1237]

yeah I like the councillor's proposal also. I love that old laneway, it has so much potential. Its such a large site, so I wish most of the development could be on the Grenfell St side and keep most of the facades on the Rundle Mall side.

[bm7500]

The Cr's proposal is rubbish. It would look like a mish mash of facade's and not really add anything to the area.

The building is approved in its current form, so just build it..

[Gallant faber]

I heard from a demolition business that they will definitely be working on the Harris Scarfe site shortly.

[pushbutton]

I heard from a demolition business that they will definitely be working on the Harris Scarfe site shortly.

Good! I suppose they probably don't know yet exactly when though, since the council is still doing what they do best!

[AtD]

The ACC have little to no say. This went through the State Government's DAC.

There is talk of the ACC using its ownership of the U-Park building, which this development requires access to, to force the developer's hand. The council own the car park building and lease the ground floor and the loading dock in the basement to Harris Scarfe. This lease will need to be modified for the development to proceed in its current form - the loading dock is pivotal to the office & retail project as there's no other vehicular access.

Without it, another driveway crossing the footpath would need to be constructed and the basement tenancies scaled back as on-street loading zones are out of the question thanks to the buses. The current loading dock would probably then be under utilised by any new tenant due to its large size and street frontage. The result would be more loading docks crossing the footpath. That wouldn't be a good outcome for neither the developer, Council (financially) nor the streetscape of Grenfell Street.

I think the Council therefore doesn't have that much power coming from the car park building lease - they'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they refuse access to the developer. I'm sure the lawyers will have a field day.

Either way, I do hope this development has a richer facade (either heritage or modern) than the renders we've seen so far.

[rev]

Tower in doubt as developer pulls out
Article from: The Advertiser


SARAH MARTIN, DANIEL WILLS

September 29, 2009 12:01am

THE future of a $150 million redevelopment of Harris Scarfe in Rundle Mall has been thrown into jeopardy following the withdrawal of developer Gandel Group from the project.

The Melbourne-based company, involved in a joint venture with building owner Alteman, is believed to have told stakeholders of its decision late last week.

Gandel Group development manager Rocco Caia said the company could not comment, but several industry sources have confirmed its withdrawal.

The 19-storey building, proposed last year, would compromise four storeys of retail, 14 storeys of commercial office space and a rooftop carpark.

In recent months the developers and the Adelaide City Council have been negotiating retention of the heritage facade of the old Rundle Mall department store.

The Advertiser understands Gandel Group withdrew from the project citing commercial difficulties.

Alteman, owned by Melbourne property developer Sam Alter, is believed to be continuing with the retail component of the development on the back of tenant pre-commitment. However, questions remain about the viability of the 14 storeys of commercial as no tenants have been announced.

Mr Alter did not return calls from The Advertiser.

Harris Scarfe managing director Joe Barberis said the decision did not pose any immediate problem for the company.

"As the tenant, the development structure is not our business. It is outside of our control," he said. "At the moment it's very much business as usual at Harris Scarfe in Rundle Mall."

Colliers International director of investments Alistair Mackie said he was not surprised by the news. He speculated the developer would not consider building a commercial building in the current market when tenant demand was low.

"No one is going to put their money into something that has got no return. Why do that when you can buy something that is already built at half the replacement cost?" he said.

"If they can stack it (the development) all up without the office component, it might have some merit as a pure retail offering, or maybe they will say `we won't have an office tower, we'll have apartments instead'. Otherwise I can't see it happening."

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

[AtD]

It sounds like this is going to turn out like City Cross, with the retail section built but nothing else.

[AtD]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009 ... 699265.htm

Harris Scarfe plan still on track: Lord Mayor

Adelaide City Council says redevelopment of the Harris Scarfe building in Rundle Mall remains on track even though a major developer has pulled out of the project.

The departure of the Gandel Group leaves Pacifica alone to redevelop the site.

Lord Mayor Michael Harbison says he does not know if council's insistence on retaining the historical Harris Scarfe facade had anything to do with the company's withdrawal.

"They're probably the most adventurous partner, I think, of the two - they own the Chadstone shopping centre [in Melbourne] which is probably the most successful shopping centre, you know, just about in the world, so they've pulled out, I think that they feel that times are a bit 'iffy' at the moment," he said.

[skyliner]

I hope it does go through. Very little happening in Adelaide at present.

Definitely out of proportion to Brisbane, now capital of the worst hit state by the recession - still much construction - probably over 20 cranes yesterday. Makes you wonder what is going on in Adelaide with 600 000 pop. less.(Bris. 1/3 bigger than Adelaide) Bris. faced with collapsed tourist and coal industry (also facing carbon trading), state debt $48bn.- big taxes coming and so high cost of living as well, no cheap petrol any more, $18bn of state assets being sold off and still the construction goes on.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[Wayno]

Harris Scarfe plan still on track: Lord Mayor

Adelaide City Council says redevelopment of the Harris Scarfe building in Rundle Mall remains on track even though a major developer has pulled out of the project.

Why did the ACC/Harbo make this statement? Always concerns me when such comments come from govt entities. It's not their job to say whether private enterrpise will continue or not...

[Ben]

Harris Scarfe plan still on track: Lord Mayor

Adelaide City Council says redevelopment of the Harris Scarfe building in Rundle Mall remains on track even though a major developer has pulled out of the project.

Why did the ACC/Harbo make this statement? Always concerns me when such comments come from govt entities. It's not their job to say whether private enterrpise will continue or not...

I think he may have felt the blame was going to be turned onto the ACC for causing the developer so many hassles with the facade issues, so tried to beat the media to it, so everyone thinks all is fine... Just my opinion.

[frank1]

I hope it does go through. Very little happening in Adelaide at present.

Definitely out of proportion to Brisbane, now capital of the worst hit state by the recession - still much construction - probably over 20 cranes yesterday. Makes you wonder what is going on in Adelaide with 600 000 pop. less.(Bris. 1/3 bigger than Adelaide) Bris. faced with collapsed tourist and coal industry (also facing carbon trading), state debt $48bn.- big taxes coming and so high cost of living as well, no cheap petrol any more, $18bn of state assets being sold off and still the construction goes on.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

As much as i hate to say it, I think developers still have to jump through hoops to get anywhere with the conservatives that run adelaide.The developers don't want to waste their time or money, so they go to cities like brisbane, melbourne that accomodate them.

[AtD]

^^ This building was approved some time ago. The only thing keeping it back is commercial interests (finance, tenants, leasing, etc)