Sensational-Adelaide.com

Type: Development Application Received
Application Number: DA/936/2011
Lodgement Date: 11/11/2011
Location: 41-55 King William Street, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Description: Fit out to convert existing Offices to Office/Mental Health training space.

Jewel box to sparkle in city centre
by: Business Reporter Belinda Willis From:
The Advertiser November 15, 2011

An artist's impression of the redesigned Colonial Mutual Life building on King William Street, Adelaide. Picture supplied by JPE Design

ADELAIDE'S run-down Colonial Mutual Life building on King William St is being prepared for its new life as a 175-room luxury hotel.

A $35 million revamp of the heritage-listed building is planned to begin in February next year and will include a lightweight steel and glass "geometric jewel box" on its southern side.

JPE Design Studio, the architectural firm behind the award-winning Wave and Edge offices and apartments further along King William St near South Tce, has created the design plans that are awaiting final approval by Adelaide City Council.

"We wanted the extension to look like a modern 21st century expression," studio director Adrian Evans said.

"We're not trying to copy the old buildings but we are trying to be respectful of the two heritage buildings either side."

Mr Evans said the plans were out for tender until December 12, with developer Adabco keen to start work on the 1930s building on the corner of Hindley St which has been empty for most of the past five years.

The landmark 15-storey building was last renovated in the 1980s but its interior offices were gutted two years ago, leaving "a bare shell of floors, slabs and columns".

In the past, the address has been home to Radio 5DN and the Charles Sturt Tavern in its basement off Hindley St.

Mr Evans said the grand building facade, first designed by Hennessy, Hennessy & Co in the 1930s, was described as Romanesque and built from precast Benedict stone made in Brisbane by Benedictine monks.

It is embellished with extensive stone mouldings and carvings of animal heads.

"We have planned an executive lounge with outdoor terraces on the top two floors where there is a Spanish tiled roof pavilion on top," Mr Smith said.

It is the second inner-city hotel building planned to kick off next year, with SA developer Hines Property, owner of the $100 million Crowne Plaza Adelaide hotel in Hindmarsh Square, also hoping to begin work on a 17-storey hotel in Grenfell St.

The site, at 122 Grenfell St, neighbours the Adelaide and Gays arcades on the corner of Twin St, and would include 300 rooms and suites, food and beverage facilities, conference and meeting space, guest lounge and business facilities and a fitness centre.

Mr Smith said converting the Colonial Mutual Life building into a hotel will be completed by June 2013.

jk1237 wrote:I like the box

We have planned an executive lounge with outdoor terraces on the top two floors where there is a Spanish tiled roof pavilion on top