[COM] 122 Grenfell Street | 59m | 17lvls | Ibis Hotel

[degruch]

Encouraging, as I've found Jay Weatherill does tend to get results from time to time - what he can do, or negotiate, is yet to be seen.

Certainly it highlights that on a State level the left hand doesn't appear to know what the right hand is doing (and god knows what the ACC are doing), when the government promotes the concept of a CBD 'laneway culture', yet its planning department knocks over one of the few remaining laneway businesses! This so soon after Arcade Lane as well. I hope a compromise can be reached, even though the hotel itself is hideous and I'd rather not have to look at it period.

Out of interest, I've looked into heritage listing of the building itself, but would rather see it incorporated into the street-scape and used (i.e. not just the facade and a brass plaque), rather than isolated because of its historical value.

[Howie]

Update from the Hines Group.

Press Release on Grenfell / Twin Street (The Jade Monkey) Development

Hines Property plans to begin construction later this year on a new $65 million, 17-storey hotel development on the corner of Grenfell Street and Twin Street in the Adelaide CBD.

In October last year, Hines Property informed all tenants of the existing buildings on the site, including the Jade Monkey, that leases would not be renewed. The Jade Monkey lease expires in December this year.

Construction works will include demolition of the buildings on site, none of which are heritage-listed, with the new hotel to include 300 guest rooms and suites, food and beverage facilities, conference and meeting spaces, business lounge and a fitness centre.

[degruch]

So in other words "get over it, we're doing it anyway".

Yes, it has that ring to it.

I should add though, "Construction works will include demolition of the buildings on site, none of which are heritage-listed"...yet. I'm not sure the boot is entirely on the Hines Property foot, and from what I've read in extreme cases, the government can repeal approval...although this is usually done to enforce development, rather than stop or modify it. I guess a $65 million development can back itself in court too.

How did this development ever get approval? Seriously, a 300 room hotel and conference centre in a small laneway, facing a main road? Parking facilities? Drop-off areas? Not to mention that it takes from the community and gives absolutely nothing back. Money, money, money.

[Ben]

People are forgetting this development HAS NOT been approved as yet. it is expected to come before the State Government DAC in March.

[degruch]

People are forgetting this development HAS NOT been approved as yet. it is expected to come before the State Government DAC in March.

I didn't know that...there's hope for this town yet.

[Howie]

I'm surprised by the reaction to this development. For about 10 years i've been walking past this laneway to and from work, thinking when will someone clean up this sh*thole. At the moment, people go there for a smoko 9-5, and then afterwards it's practically deserted, with the odd trip to the christian book store down the mall end. Mind you I didn't even know that the Jade Monkey existed prior to this proposal. Can't they just relocate Jade Monkey? Because there isn't anything notably heritage about that laneway's buildings, as far as i'm aware anyway.

[Ben]

I also thought the same Howie. The whole laneway needs work and is full of loading zones at present.

[Howie]

Okay i'm standing at the end of Twin street as i'm typing this. And i can confirm it is dead as a door nail, with a massive blank wall next to me (tafesa) and a rather large loading zone on the other side. One thing that strikes me however is how wide this laneway is, perfect candidate for an outdoor cafe (maybe a bit of splashadelaide). If they can incorporate alresco dining as part of this hotel then we'd be on a winner.

[degruch]

I can see what you guys are saying, of course it needs work, but it's what you're NOT seeing that's important.

About 15 years ago I was asked to design furniture for a club, location was yet to be decided. When I was asked where the possible owners should look I immediately said "Twin Street! Perfect big city laneway feel, off the main strip". The club never went ahead, but in the meanwhile the Jade Monkey has sprung up, and I wish other business had too. When I look at it, I don't see loading bays and vacant shops, I see this (which is Degraves Street in Melbourne):



EDIT: Howie has just seen it as I typed.

Another prime example is what Ross Stanley did with Arcade Lane in only a few months - it went from a dank laneway to bars, a club and a small cinema throughout the Fringe in 2010, and he tried very hard to remain there before development nearby shut it down. A shame, but unavoidable.

IMO, the development should include retail or cafe's right up to the Jade Monkey building, designed to keep or enhance the character of the street, not smash it down and replace it with nothing accessible to the community. As per Degraves Street, it should be a pedestrian thoroughfare between certain hours. If the developers were more creative, they could be cashing in on a great opportunity, whether Jade Monkey remains as a venue or not.

In regard to heritage, as mentioned earlier, the Jade Monkey building dates from 1853, being the original Balfours site - it was also Tony Innocenti's 'The Cellar' during the 1960's and 1970's, frequented by bands such as The Masters Apprentices. For the last 10 years, JM has been a mainstay of the local music scene...not frequented aften by me, but a lot of people practically live in it. The street itself also includes 1880's Gay's Arcade, the mall which houses the bookshop (at least 1920's) and a string of similar vintage buildings on the old Twin Street Records side of the street. Yes, it is all pretty stagnant besides the Jade Monkey, but this development (if done right) could kick-start the streets revival, just as Queen Street in Croydon has been revived by small businesses.

Also, I think the big reaction to the development is due to the Jade Monkey's presence, but I'm keener on the street's preservation and improvement. Yes, the Jade Monkey can relocate, it'll never be the same, but it could possibly be better...who knows.

[crawf]

How did this development ever get approval? Seriously, a 300 room hotel and conference centre in a small laneway, facing a main road? Parking facilities? Drop-off areas? Not to mention that it takes from the community and gives absolutely nothing back. Money, money, money.

Where else are these developments going to happen?, it's right smack bang in the middle of South Australia's Capital City CBD. The Jade Monkey is a cool intimate lil venue, though the building itself is not amazing and Twin Street has the appearance of being unsafe and quite dingy which deters many people from walking through it.

Hopefully the Jade Monkey can relocate to another building with possibly bigger floor space, better acoustics and more character.

Another prime example is what Ross Stanley did with Arcade Lane in only a few months - it went from a dank laneway to bars, a club and a small cinema throughout the Fringe in 2010, and he tried very hard to remain there before development nearby shut it down. A shame, but unavoidable.

Arcade Lane was a Fringe venue last year, and will again be this year.

[degruch]

Yes, it's right in the middle of the CBD (I did notice this ), but I'm right on all counts, aren't I? If there is no car park (most likely to utilize Harris Scarfe carpark), there must be a drop off area. I guessing this will probably be the vacant space where the Jade Monkey currently stands.

IMO, Jade Monkey doesn't utilize their space very well, also doesn't cash in on their heritage at all, but that's no reason to destroy a 150-odd year old state icon's founding location.

Just noticed Arcade Lane is back for the Fringe this year...sure it'll be great!

[Nathan]

Yes, it's right in the middle of the CBD (I did notice this ), but I'm right on all counts, aren't I? If there is no car park (most likely to utilize Harris Scarfe carpark), there must be a drop off area. I guessing this will probably be the vacant space where the Jade Monkey currently stands.

The drop off area is on the ground floor of the building. If you look at the renders (or floor plans), you can see cars enter off Grenfell St, on the left side of the building, and exit out on to Twin St. It doesn't encroach on where the Jade Monkey is at all.

[Howie]

I see that the building is obviously old, but what makes this heritage again? Serious question not trying to be a smart a**. Because if this meets the criteria for heritage listing anything turn of last century would aswell.

[degruch]

Ah, great...thanks for pointing that out, I can see it now. Not encroaching on the JM's location brings us back to the start of the argument again - why knock it down? I've been told by an architect there is good reason for its removal (construction access), but no further elaboration.

Howie, the building is over 150 years old, it is the founding location of Balfours, a state icon - if that isn't reason enough on historical grounds, it has current social significance (in that it is a thriving live music venue) and cultural heritage, in that it was a regular venue during the 60's/70's, a very important time in the local and national music scene. It ticks a lot of heritage boxes, underneath that ugly paint. FFS, there is a dead tree in the middle of a road in Campbelltown that is heritage listed...I would have thought this was much more important.

I just think this whole development needs a little more vision (and a complete restyle - urgh) and it will be great, but it should work in with the environment. If it does, as Howie has noted too, it could be a real winner. Grit blast the ugly painted surrounding buildings, add more street lighting, throw in an adjoining restaurant/cafe, add alfresco dining during certain hours, leave JM where it is and keep the venue (if not heritage listed), turn the loading bays into hawkers stalls, commission some street art for the TAFE building, put a heritage museum for the local music scene in the JM cellar, it could all be fantastic with a great flow on effect - a laneway to be proud of. You can bet the council and retailers would be right into it, I reckon the developers could even use an 'open design' process to get ideas from local architects/builders/designers - win/win. Just needs some creativity added to what is currently a very boring (my opinion) and self-contained development.

Anyway, I think I've made my point 50 times over, enough ranting.

Does anyone know where we can see more plans, even comments from Hines? Their website doesn't have much.

[Howie]

Fair enough. I've heard of buildings listed for sillier reasons than that, developer once told me about a building (actually not even the building) was listed because it had a rather unique foundation for its period. Of course you could never see the slab it was built on but it was enough to get listing.


Btw not sure if this has already been posted:

Jade Monkey Update: Owners ‘Hope To Relocate’

News posted Wednesday, February 22 2012 at 11:00 AM.
Related: Adelaide, Jade Monkey.


Despite a groundswell of online support, including a Facebook group and 4000-strong petition, owners of Adelaide’s Jade Monkey have all but admitted defeat in their fight to save their business.
It was announced this week that the Twin Street venue (and its Two Ships basement bar) will make way for a new development in October. And while owners Zac Coligan and Naomi Thompson are “amazed and overwhelmed” by the support, they say nothing can be done to stop the demolition of the 131-year-old building that’s housed the Jade for the past decade.
“While we are very much saddened by the loss of the lovely old building that we have called home for almost a decade we do hope to relocate our business,” the pair said via Facebook. “Our main focus now is not on trying to stop this development but rather trying to find another premise that can accommodate live music. We feel that it is important that there is always a space made for live music within our great city and that should be the real fight.”
Meanwhile, Adelaide Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood has responded to a petition which blamed Adelaide City Council for allowing the development. Posting on his personal Facebook page, Yarwood said that while he was “disappointed” the venue was closing, council was powerless to stop it.
“The landowner has a right to develop his land and as the development is [more than] $10 million the State Govt Development Assessment Commission is the planning authority. Truth is council is powerless so don’t blame us – we have no laws to change the decision either.”
Yarwood said a campaign to stop the development would be “counterproductive” to the city’s live music scene. “A community movement to stop the development is not good for Jade Monkey,” he wrote. “If they want to relocate it is not a good look that the community want to stop the development of the land. Landowners would not be keen to lease to a tenant with a community that opposes their rights as a land owner.”
Yarwood said he’s offered assistance to Coligan to find an alternative site for the Jade Monkey, and is working towards a live music strategy to promote, support and protect live music in Adelaide. “I am doing what I can within my powers and influence,” he said.