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Shuz wrote:Okay, I need to scream abuse at the horrifying blank walls adjacent, what I believe is a heritage listed property! 18 levels of blankdom to a site which can never be developed upon. What is the bloody council thinking?

And to be honest, the cube-blocky nature of the building, I believe detracts from the heritage-grandeur of the streetscape more-so than the initial designs did! Council set themselves up for a loss on this one. and they have only themselves to blame.

Not quite Shuz. Although the building adjacent is heritage listed, its interior is not original and thus there is a possibility that in the future, the interior of the Gallerie Building could be demolished.

Regarding the ammended design. My sentiments are that although it is not a good as the first renders, it is a vast improvement over the previous version which was deferred by council in April. The new design has a stronger vertical element and appears neater in articulation.

It is interesting to note that the council's planning staff have recommended it be approved and also the heritage branch have no objections. Let's hope the council approves this, as another rejection will do tremendous damage to the reputation of this city.

Ooooh. Okay, I retract my statement then. Hopefully soon enough a developer will come along and fill up the Gallerie Arcade site with something like an Air Apartments or David Jones carpark apartment building thingy (225 NT?) behind the heritage facade.

I never can tell if you're being sarcastic, Shuz...

Will wrote: Regarding the ammended design. My sentiments are that although it is not a good as the first renders, it is a vast improvement over the previous version which was deferred by council in April. The new design has a stronger vertical element and appears neater in articulation.

It is interesting to note that the council's planning staff have recommended it be approved and also the heritage branch have no objections. Let's hope the council approves this, as another rejection will do tremendous damage to the reputation of this city.

DEAD RIGHT WILL but pity it lost the West Tce frontage. Like always, dumbed down from the original.

Another example of Adelaide settling for mediocrity.

Wow....what a shame. I especially dislike the eastern elevation (plus the western?), the lack of any detail whatsoever surrounding the entrance and the blandness of the entire 'faux-heritage' facade. It seems to me that not even the architects know what this building is trying to represent anymore. The stone, the staid colours, the glass, the 'eco-fluff' spilling from the roof, the 'urban modern' blades.....ugh.......it's a complete dog's breakfast.

Mystified and disappointed by the whole sorry story surrounding this one. Over the last 5 years I was feeling pretty good about Adelaide finally advancing beyond demanding this kind of dross.

Recap. From:

Or:

To:

Hrmmmz...

I never liked Option1, too 1990's Myer Centre. Option2's banana was good, but imposed itself on the footpath a bit. The current proposal conversely hides the new building behind a line of sight frontage. A bit like the proposed development behind the Masonic Centre. I can see why they eliminated the glass on the sides, the Gallerie may get developed sometime in AdamLotsaNumbers's lifetime. What's left is exactly the same, apart from any kind of architectural statement on the front elevation. No Satanic Symbol or Banana, just more boxes and rectangles. (Oh and a chunk of volume missing from the front)

Oh well.

Ok question to the forum, what do you think the developer should do supposing option 3 gets approved?

Would you 1) accept it & build it 2) try option 1 or 2 again through DAC or 3) Try a new re-design [probably first 5 floors need to stay same for heritage to support it, so what would you design above?]

I'd actually change the first five floors, to be honest. The only time that top part will be seen, as with the David Jones carpark apartments, is from a distance or if someone consciously stands below and looks straight up. If that podium is a requirement to maintain an appropriate North Terrace streetscape, then I'd sooner make the lower part of the building that everyone will see close-up of a higher standard. At the moment it's just an austere rectangle, with a few cheap attempts at a 'heritage' facade. Take a bit of time to add a little clever detail here and there, really open up the ground floor to the street, give it some neat little Parisian-style awnings or window-boxes and the like, and then it becomes a valuable part of the streetscape. The residential building industry can do very, very convincing impressions of delightful heritage facades if given the chance to.

The top half is largely inoffensive - it's essentially the same design as the DJs apartments and the thin UniSA apartments next door, so I don't hate it. Give me something at ground level to appreciate and applaud, and then I'll forgive them for that.

I agree, Wise Omi. Those first five floors break the building. I don't mind it too much, above, but whats happening on the streetscape really needs to improve. Doesn't anyone care for grandeur and intricate detailing these days?

I think it depends on the developers.

I personally prefer the first two designs but if they want to get this building commenced asap i guess IF it is approved on Monday they should just get on with it but if they are in no rush they should relodge with the DAC and perhaps even push the height to 60m+.

Omicron and Shuz, I agree with your recent comments. It would be great to see a lot of work go into making the first 5 floors really nice... attention to detail - I care for grandeur and intricate detailing

Hindley Street Alley wrote:Omicron and Shuz, I agree with your recent comments. It would be great to see a lot of work go into making the first 5 floors really nice... attention to detail - I care for grandeur and intricate detailing

Agree again. The 'heritage' front is extremely bland and does need some work to mark it more convincing if this option goes through. (someone mentioned the Parisian canvas awnings - over the windows). What about Georgian fanlights over the entry? This will carry stronger continuity from the bldg to the left.

OVERALL, Personally I like the first option the best.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

Oh god.
Yet another project that's been Adelized.

When is the 'dumbing down' of these applications going to stop?

Both initial renders were world class - sleek, stylish and exciting - both would have looked great and did enough to both complement and provided a suitable contrast to the other buildings of North Terrace.
Instead, any point of interest or difference has been wiped clean in favour of some dodgy 'faux heritage' facade designed to help this building fade into the background.

NEXT.

Epic fail. Again.

Still at least it blends in with the shitty 60s number on cnr of Gawler Place.