[COM] COM/CAN: Aurora on Pirie | 54/57m | 14/15lvls | Office

[Ben]

There is a new clear render of the second tower on page 2 of this PDF:

http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/Netc ... Part_1.pdf

[Mants]

hooray, a western facade which isnt blank concerete.

[rhino]

Considering the western facade will be on Hyde St, there is no need for a blank concrete wall - nothing will ever be built next to it.

[crawf]

how pathetic... , hopefully the State Government declares this a major project as nearly half the building has been sold off. This council is a joke sometimes

Council blocks building plan
Article from: The Advertiser

TOM ZED

July 03, 2007 02:15am

A $65 MILLION office development has been blocked by Adelaide City Council, despite nearly half of the building having been sold within days of its release last month.

Developer Urban Construct has sold more than $30 million of office space in the proposed Aurora on Pirie project – more than $25 million of which was snapped up within two days.

The council's Development Assessment Panel refused the project last night because it exceeded the height limit for the zone by 13m.

The 15-storey project – which consists of two joined buildings – was planned to be 53m high.

"It's clear that one needs a substantial building on this site to enclose the (Hindmarsh) Square but a 40m building would do that as well as a 53m building," Councillor Judith Brine said at the meeting.

Treasurer Kevin Foley last week questioned the legitimacy of the council, saying he would like to sack it because "they are an impediment to growth in this state".

While other city buildings – such as Santos House at 137m, Telstra House at 104m and Grenfell Centre at 103m – are markedly higher, the development plan for the area restricts heights to 40m.

A spokesman for Urban Construct told the panel the buildings should be allowed because it provided a transition from the neighbouring development zone, where 53m is allowed.

DAP chairman Brenton Burman and specialist member Michael Doherty both declared conflicts of interest because they had professional dealings with Urban Construct and did not vote on the matter.

Acting chairman Rob Cheesman, Mrs Brine and specialist panel member David Grieve voted to reject plans for the building. Lord Mayor Michael Harbison, who is a member of the panel, was interstate.

Mrs Moran voted to approve the building despite her concerns about its height.

"This is 32 per cent over the plan . . . it's certainly not ticking the height box," she said.

Urban Construct director Todd Brown was not available for comment last night.

[Pistol]

That is an absolute fucking disgrace!!!!

[Pistol]

They need to sack this council. The government must be able to see how much ACC is impeding this city's growth.

[crawf]

The State Government would have to declare this a major project because of the green star rating and thats already nearly 50% sold.

The SA Government has already declared over 30 projects in South Australia (including Conservatory on Hindmarsh).

shame shame ACC, I bet harbo would of approved it. Though its not lost yet

[AtD]

I'm a bit shocked. I was under the impression that this was all decided.

Such a shame. This could throw a lot of other developments into doubt too.

[Ben]

This will surely be overturned by eithier the SA government or the ACC themselves when they realise but certianly puts doubts over the 20 hindmarsh Square development as that is also above the height limits. The recommendation to council was to approve this building based on merit too so it's a concern it was denied.

[stelaras]

That is a joke, Ide love to know what Drugs the council was smoking at the time, because ide prescribe something different!

There is obviously a call for, and a need for residential and business development in the Adelaide CBD. If we (Adelaide) is to be seen as a serious contender in the forecasted mining boom, and if we (Adelaide) is serious about turning around our ageing population by providing incentive for the young to stay, and incentive for the young to move from other states, then these developments need to be allowed to progress. The mining boom will not last forever (we just need to observe the other states that boomed before us)

This building does not affect air traffic in anyway, a height limit of 40m is laughable at any rate!

30% of this building is/was already sold, so i'm a little perplexed with the decision! because at the end of the day it provides rates back to the ACC! So, in one wide sweep of the brush the council managed to piss off the investors that want to build the thing in the first place as well as the people that bought up space!

BTW this is my 200th post

[Ben]

Btw Judith brine... Wasn't she around when colonial Light designed Adelaide? no wonder she is against this development. The people on the DAP board are the same ones that have been there forever and a day. It needs abig shake up.

[Shuz]

Well, yet another reason why the Goverment needs to step in immediately and sack the ACC and strip them of their development powers in the CBD. They should maintain the place, or at least until an independant authority can be set up to serve the role in dealing with development matters.

Stunned disgrace. I have pure hatred for those lot of 19th century minded idiots, who in the midst of South Australia's best economical boom thus far decides to pull the plug on this one. Its absolute idiocracy.

[alfer7_3]

IMO this is a ridiculous decision. therers already so much demand for good quality office space in Adelaide which has been seen by so much of this building already sold off. the fact that this has been blocked partly because of the height is pathetic. we live in a capital city not a country town ACC! If they really want Adelaide to be a more vibrant and cosmopolitan place which they try to present Adelaide as being then they're really shooting themselves in the foot with a decision like this. This was one of the best office proposals in Adelaide at the moment IMO. Im pissed off about this decision!

[Shuz]

Just curious, what 'skills' or requirements do you need to be to become a DAP member?

[Ben]

We should all email Harbo:

[email protected]