[U/C] 88 O'Connell Street | 63m | 13, 13 and 15 Levels | Mixed Use

[ChillyPhilly]

You'd think so.

I recall a while ago a report/statement saying the bridge was 'unsuitable for heavy rail' (or to that effect). This showed the lack of knowledge of the situation, because heavy rail is never going over that bridge.

[Ursus Maritimus]

Look - we don't need to go full German and make the new bridge look exactly like the old, but I'd highly appreciate something that beautifully captures the spirit. A new take on the old design. It should ideally have tram capability. How much more expensive will that make it?

If there's one thing we love in Adelaide, it's short-term infrastructure Band-Aids.

[Mpol02]

Truly this state lacks foresight. It’s be great to have a group of people in charge that didn’t run things like a back yard garage sale.

This area, Festival Plaza is becoming quite the area. An icon bridge however small would really be the icing on the cake

[rev]

Look - we don't need to go full German and make the new bridge look exactly like the old, but I'd highly appreciate something that beautifully captures the spirit. A new take on the old design. It should ideally have tram capability. How much more expensive will that make it?

If there's one thing we love in Adelaide, it's short-term infrastructure Band-Aids.

In 2024 they should be able to find a way to keep the heritage features of the bridge in tact, maybe some restorative work, and rebuild the road surface and supporting structure underneath it.

[claybro]

In 2024 they should be able to find a way to keep the heritage features of the bridge in tact, maybe some restorative work, and rebuild the road surface and supporting structure underneath it.

agree with this. The bridge historically did take trams- although I presume modern trams and busses are indeed heavier. However- the roadway and footpaths are wide enough, and given the historic nature of this bridge-along this entry boulevard, there would be a much less disruptive way to bolster the existing bridge. Trying to create some kind of modern statement bridge will end up like everything else- cheap arsed, and fashionable for about 5 minutes.

[abc]

most of our early architecture was neo-classical or neo-gothic or neo-whatever

in the 1800s was fashionable to build things that looked like they were from another earlier era

we seldom do it in Adelaide any more because everything is built down to a cost... the last example I can remember was probably the Grand hotel at Glenelg that was built in a neo-victorian style

[Mpol02]

That just isn’t an Adelaide issue, it happens the world over, unless you’re in a rich city

[dbl96]

That just isn’t an Adelaide issue, it happens the world over, unless you’re in a rich city

It happens in the richest cities too. This issue is more about philosophy than it is about cost. Functionalism is the dominant ideology in architecture and design in the current era. Decoration is basically seen as a frivolous waste of money. If you are going to build a bridge, just build a bridge, or so the thinking goes. Decorative elements add nothing to its function of carrying traffic over the river.

This functionalist thinking is basically a world-wide phenomenon at this point - with exceptions (only in certain places) for religious architecture and the restoration of pre-functionalist architectural heritage.

I'd imagine there are heritage considerations with that bridge, so if its fit for current purpose then there'd be no way they're going to knock it down for a vanity tram line extension project. Not any time in the next 30 years.

As I already stated, there are structural problems with the existing bridge which have been identified independently of any plans for a tram line extension. There are already significant load restrictions on the bridge, and it would appear from what has been published on the issue that it will be reaching the end of its useful life in the near future, regardless of what happens with the tram.

https://www.indaily.com.au/news/2023/09 ... -rd-bridge

Given how keen council are for trams to return to North Adelaide, you'd think that the preferred option/s would all have tram capability.

From memory, the study was commissioned when the "Driver's Week" brigade were still a dominant force on Council.

[Norman]

This is starting to go off-topic, so another thread might be a better place for that discussion.

[EBG]

Only a few workers currently on site, full work force to return next week(?) Main new work to concetrate on ground floor fittouts. Pictures show recent work on upper levels. picture 3 shows machine/ air con fitout on east side (away fom O'Connell St) Remaiming crane to come down soon.

[Howie]

Looks like the cladding is just about done now. Thanks for the shots EBG.

[abc]

tbh I hate it

it looks cheap and nasty for such a location

even the new apartment block on Unley road looks classier

[Ursus Maritimus]

I don't think it's ideal, but it is classier and better-finished than the average mid-rise apartment complex. We have some ghastly ones in Adelaide.

[[Shuz]]

It's not bad, but it's not great either. Expected a bit more for a prime North Adelaide location. The central tower is the worst of the lot.

[Mpol02]

The renders really did us dirty. It’s a matter of seeing past them. They do them in a way that makes the the glass and the concrete walls look the same. They also fuck with the colour.

It could be worse but for the area it’s in it needed to be a lot better.

Hoping the ground activation helps