Sensational-Adelaide.com

*Hopes they are knocking down the Grenfell Car Park*

Hope it means they are keeping the rundle mall facade :

If only Harris Scarfe wasn't so desperately soul-destroying - at least their existing building provides five seconds of amusement because they picked up all the fixtures, fittings and stock, threw it in the front door, and attached a pricetag to wherever things happened to land (much like Myer Marion, for those playing at home). In its place I fear a dreadfully bland terra nullius, devoid of all character, offering average goods at average prices in an average setting. Sure, there'll be a glassy phallic structure rising above to delight the shutterhawks, but the only part we'll ever get to experience is the generic discounted wet-dream of middle-class Australia in all its sentimental, conservative glory.

Ben wrote:

AG wrote: What's the difference here? The plan still sounds much like the original with 4 levels of retails and the 15 levels of office above it.

Did you see what i bolded AG? They are including an additional allotment. Not sure which one at this stage.

Ah! Speculation here, but maybe reference to the Roger David store building that wasn't originally slated for demolition?

Efforts made to save historic building
Posted 55 minutes ago

Map: Adelaide 5000
The Adelaide City Council is making a last attempt to save the laneways and facade of the historic Harris Scarfe building.

The Development Assessment Commission last year granted approval to the Gandel Group to convert the building into office and retail space.

The council is the part owner of the building and has been holding talks with the developer to retain the facade and laneways, which date back to 1921.

Councillor David Plumridge says this request was rejected, but there will be a second round of talks.

He says the council's ownership of part of the building could have some influence.

"We're not about trying to thwart this proposal or stop it but as part owner of the property they require a sign off from the council as a property owner, before that the proposal can go ahead in its present form," he said.

"So that is a bit of leverage that we have.

"Melbourne's done it so well, all its laneways are active vibrant places, we want the same for Adelaide."

Sounds like a reasonable stance by the ACC. Hopefully something good can come from it.

Is that because active laneways would really be good, or because they mentioned Melbourne in their reasoning?

"Melbourne's done it so well, all its laneways are active vibrant places, we want the same for Adelaide."

Well get cracking then, instead of investing money into making Victoria Park 'world's best park' invest that money into our laneways and streets which will make the city a more exciting place then another park that no-one will use or care about, sorry to say but its true. It will also give the impression to locals and visitors that Adelaide is booming which will make the city a attractive place to invest and live, just like what happened in Melbourne in the 90s.

Walking through Twin St last night, I could picture bars, cafes filled with people and a lit up CoH and Wyatt House as a nice backdrop. Alot of potential, especially with Gays Arcade and access to Hindmarsh Square.

rhino wrote:Is that because active laneways would really be good, or because they mentioned Melbourne in their reasoning?

Melbourne's just an example of where it's been done successfully. We argued in our submission to the council in 07-08 to 'reinvigorate our alleyways' in particularly those around the Rundle Mall precinct. It really could add some street level vibrancy to the area if done appropriately.

There really isn't anything to lose here - it could work out best for developer, acc, and visitors to the mall.

I actually agree with you, Howie. It just irks me that whenever we want to do something in Adelaide, we have to first check whether Melbourne's done it. And if something is done in Melbourne that we haven't done here, then that is a good reason why we have to do it.

Melbourne is a great place to visit, but as for a liveable city, Adelaide craps on it.

Fair enough argument. I personally think it's been done much better in Melbourne than in say Sydney, or any other Australian capital for that matter. No way would I want Adelaide to be a clone of Melbourne - but there's nothing wrong with looking at how other cities have tried on ideas and did them with a high degree of success.

i agree totally with Crawf... I have always thought that myself with Twin Arcade (one with access to Rundle Mall, Grenfell, Gays Arcade and Hindmarsh Square...)

there are some really interesting buildings and even driveways which are currently used as storage / loading / waste disposal which could also be turned into cafe / restaurant outdoor seating areas... really has potential...

the only problem that i keep running into is imagining where places like Toys R Us and a few other shops would gain vehicle access for loading / unloading of stock...? any ideas how this could be overcome...?

Hippodamus wrote:the only problem that i keep running into is imagining where places like Toys R Us and a few other shops would gain vehicle access for loading / unloading of stock...? any ideas how this could be overcome...?

Night time re-stocking. A change of mindset, that's all. That's when the garbage collectors are doing their thing, why can't it be when the deliveries are getting done too?

I heard a discussion about this project on local ABC today.

There's an idea of 'incorporating' local side-streets into this development to create Melbourne-style lanes with cafes and small shops, as well as redeveloping neighboring warehouses into a retail space. Also, they discussed possibility of putting some sort of big umbrellas or even permanent glass roofs over the small streets and gate them to lock for the night. The ACC is obviously prepared to fork some cash for the project and is trying to twist the developer's arm to do it.

What do you think of the idea? I recon it would be nice to somehow revitalise the blunt streets between the Mall and Grenfell St, but is it really doable?

_MO_ wrote:I heard a discussion about this project on local ABC today.

There's an idea of 'incorporating' local side-streets into this development to create Melbourne-style lanes with cafes and small shops, as well as redeveloping neighboring warehouses into a retail space. Also, they discussed possibility of putting some sort of big umbrellas or even permanent glass roofs over the small streets and gate them to lock for the night. The ACC is obviously prepared to fork some cash for the project and is trying to twist the developer's arm to do it.

What do you think of the idea? I recon it would be nice to somehow revitalise the blunt streets between the Mall and Grenfell St, but is it really doable?

Love the idea. Sorry to compare to Melbourne again, but when I went for a trip in July last year, we found quite good cafes, etc. concealed in alleways and narrow streets. They cafes were in old buildings with vines going over their outside facades, with the entire alleyways being covered by a glass roof. You would also find that a small string of them would take you from street to street, shopping centre to malls, etc. This sort of thing situated near Rundle Mall, and amongst the business district that is the city's North-Eastern Corner, would work very well. Love the idea, just hope that we do what we can to make it great for tourists and locals.