) and had a look aroundCity landmark to get makeover
Business15 Sep 11 @ 06:30am by TIM WILLIAMS
Architect Adrian Evans designs for the Colonial Mutual Life Building will see it converted to a hotel.
ONE of Adelaide’s most prominent historic landmarks, the 1930s Colonial Mutual Life building on the corner of King William and Hindley streets, is set to finally be transformed into a high class hotel.
Developer Adabco expects to start work on the $35 million project by the end of the year. Architect Adrian Evans, on behalf of Adabco, said a 4.5 star rating would be sought for the 174-room hotel.
“The plan is to get a builder on site by Christmas and in the next 18 months get the building completed,” Mr Evans said. “That corner is the only one in the city that captures daytime activity and the nightlife.
“It’s a fabulous location and a beautiful building.”
From 2002, Adabco began terminating office leases in the building, which has been fully vacant for the past five years, with a view to converting it into a hotel.
It was gutted in 2008/09 before the project was shelved due to the global financial crisis.
Mr Evans said amendments to the existing approved plans would be lodged with the City Council within days, including for using the basement for a kitchen, bar and retail space, instead of a food court.
He was confident the project would go ahead this time, with onyx slabs for the reception and bar areas already imported from China, and furniture from Melbourne.
“Even the lift cars are already here from the US.”
The top two floors would have more expensive rooms with access to an executive lounge with an outdoor terrace, Mr Evans said.
The main lobby would feature a polished stainless steel staircase, while the five-storey, 1980s extension on the King William St side would have two extra floors added and a new facade.
The CML building, with a mix of neo-gothic and art deco features, was Adelaide’s tallest until 1969.
The style of the hotel would be “referencing the 1930s, the art deco, but I think you’d call it comfortable modern”, Mr Evans said.
The building had a major renovation in the 1980s, removing most of the original, internal features.
“What’s remaining of the heritage is really the exterior only,” Mr Evans said.
It was now properly secured after problems with vandals.
“We’ve had a lot of vagrants, graffiti artists and so on.”
What a shame.The building had a major renovation in the 1980s, removing most of the original, internal features.
“What’s remaining of the heritage is really the exterior only,” Mr Evans said
+1crawf wrote:What a shame.The building had a major renovation in the 1980s, removing most of the original, internal features.
“What’s remaining of the heritage is really the exterior only,” Mr Evans said
Nevertheless that's brilliant news that it's finally going ahead. Now can we please return life to the other derelict beauty on King William Street, former Westpac building.
Glass shards would be good illuminated internally....however, I'm more for preserving the architectural integrity of the bldg.crawf wrote:I think the glass shards have the potential to look fantastic. Old vs new type of thing
Much better than the current ugly awnings. BTW that's great to hear work could be finally beginning!
That sounds like a much better idea. And thank heavens something might finally begin to happen!Will wrote:From the City Messenger:Mr Evans said amendments to the existing approved plans would be lodged with the City Council within days, including for using the basement for a kitchen, bar and retail space, instead of a food court.
Shuz, that sounds just like somthing Omi would say lol[Shuz] wrote:Oooh, another underground bar.
I do hope they serve cocktails and other assorted merriments. Such fun!
If one knowest thy Omi, thoust shall speak of thy Omi.bm7500 wrote:Shuz, that sounds just like somthing Omi would say lol[Shuz] wrote:Oooh, another underground bar.
I do hope they serve cocktails and other assorted merriments. Such fun!
Application Number: DA/461/2007/A
Lodgement Date: 19/09/2011
Location: 41-55 King William Street, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Description: Vary previous authorisation to carry out alterations to existing building and change the use to hotel accommodation with ground floor retail and basement food court - VARIATION
Applicant Name: ADABCO PROPERTIES P/L C/- Trice Project Management, 95 Halifax St, ADELAIDE SA 5000
What is it going to be if its not Rydges?joy wrote:Yes It's all go at present. Not Rydges now.
Let's hope this time it really happens and gives this grand old building a respected new life.
Work should start in the new year.
Shards are gone.
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