Sensational-Adelaide.com

iTouch(myself) wrote:Makris sounds like the biggest dickhead.

Will wrote:
What is your actual objection to a boutique hotel?

We're still waiting: O'Connell St traders

O’CONNELL St traders say development on the former Le Cornu site is crucial for the future success of the North Adelaide strip.

It has been almost three years since the State Government granted the Makris Group approval for a six-storey residential and retail complex.

But despite demolition of the site’s remaining buildings occuring in April last year, building work is yet to start at 88 O’Connell St.

Peter Niutta, from Cucina North Adelaide, said the development would be “fantastic for the street”.

“It is a bit of an eyesore at the moment,” Mr Niutta said.

“Once more people come to the street, there will be more businesses and more customers for everyone.

“Empty shops don’t attract people so we need to make the street nice and vibrant.”

The Makris Group, which bought the land in 2001, says it is “fully committed to the project” despite development approval lapsing (see separate report).

A Planning Department spokeswoman confirmed it was a condition of development approval that the “development be substantially commenced” before September 2010.

“That date has passed but the Major Development declaration has no automatic lapse date,” she said.

“However the developer has sought an extension to the development authorisation which will be considered.”

North Adelaide people who spoke to the City North Messenger last week said it was vital the project went ahead.

Chocolatree’s Vigi Natarajan said the development would bring more people to O’Connell St and be “good for business”.

“The land will be more attractive and it will be something nice and new when a building comes up there,” Mr Nataranjan said.

O’Connell St Traders Association president David Johnson said it was “absolutely critical” that work started on the site “for the development of North Adelaide”.

He said the development was crucial to help the street flourish and compete against the rising popularity of online shopping. “You have got a lot of empty space there,” Mr Johnson said.

“But the more people living on the street, the more sustainable the retail part of the street is.”

North Adelaide Society chairman Ed Briedis said residents were also keen to see work start. “The majority of people who live in North Adelaide see it as their shopping precinct and want to see it have a life and vibrancy,” Mr Briedis said.

“The catchphrase on the site’s sign is ‘Adelaide has nothing like this’. Well, we still haven’t.”

MAKRIS STILL COMMITTED TO THE SITE

THE Makris Group says it is still “fully committed” to transforming the Le Cornu site into a six-storey retail and residential complex.

This is despite not starting work on the project since approval was granted almost three years ago.

A request by the City North Messenger for an interview with Makris Group CEO John Blunt was denied.

However, in an emailed response a Makris spokeswoman said the company was “looking forward to starting work” on the project.

The company has applied for an extension to its development approval, which expired last September.

The spokeswoman said the project’s starting date was yet to be confirmed.

“We want to be confident of the strength of the market and ensure the economic conditions are right,” the email read.

“The economic conditions for sale of the apartments and leasing of retail space are expected to improve.”

Makris is in discussions with potential tenants for the complex.

http://city-north-messenger.whereilive. ... on-corner/

The spokeswoman said the project’s starting date was yet to be confirmed.

“We want to be confident of the strength of the market and ensure the economic conditions are right,” the email read.

“The economic conditions for sale of the apartments and leasing of retail space are expected to improve.”

ynotsfables wrote:Something s happening.