[CAN] [Freedom Apartments] 3x | 30m | 8lvls | Apartments

[Will]

I sometimes do not understand the actions of government. This project was initially rejected because primarily it was determined that the complexes' design was boring and repetitious. However I for one think that at-least with the old proposal there was some variety in that the 3 towers were of different heights adding interest to the roof line of the complex. Judging from the revised plans it now seems that we will get 3 buildings of 8 levels of an identical height. In my view this outcome is worse in that having 3 buildings of identical proportions makes the design of the complex more boring and repetitious not less so.

And also the following quote from the report has confused me:

Construction of two buildings with three 8 storey towers

[Splashmo]

Report on the news tonight that this was approved. Council obviously upset.

[tbone]

Let the Council cry in their beer.

They don't give a thought to the detrimental effect they have on Adelaide by holding back almost all development in the City.

Would have loved to see Anne Moran's face.

[Brando]

Let the Council cry in their beer.

They don't give a thought to the detrimental effect they have on Adelaide by holding back almost all development in the City.

Would have loved to see Anne Moran's face.

Very rarely do i agree with the ACC, but in this case and the Rundle St proposals i do. These two sites can offer so much more than what is currently before the ACC or DAC. Especially this site as a gateway to the CBD from the airport....

[Matt]

The ACC bashing for the sake of it is getting old.
AdelaideNow, for example, are a joke.

This application was frankly, shithouse, and was given the treatment it deserved.
An ugly commie block that looks like one of those project housing towers from the 1980's LA. (ie... dodgy).

We should be demanding more for architecture in Adelaide, particularly for a site as prominent as this.
It's going to be one of the first things people see as they drive into town from the airport, and if I was greeting by something as hateful as this, I'd be tempted to chuck a U-turn and return whence I came.

[Howie]

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

No joke: City student towers get Government nod
Article from: The Advertiser

DANIEL WILLS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPORTER

July 24, 2009 11:25pm

A STUDENT accommodation development condemned by a Adelaide City Council panel as "a joke" has been approved by the state's peak planning body.

The council's Development Assessment Panel heaped scorn on plans for the Freedom Apartments complex on Grote St when they were first presented in May.

Councillor Sandy Wilkinson said he feared the three-tower complex would become the site of "future slums" and independent member David Grieve labelled the plans "hopeless" and a "joke".
Vote now: Should the DAC have the last say on big projects rejected by the City Council?

The stinging criticism led architect Fred Phillis to make a formal complaint to the council and call for the most outspoken panel members to be sacked.

Council CEO Peter Smith then wrote to the panel and ordered them to act with "integrity and professionalism".

On Thursday this week, the state's Development Assessment Commission examined altered plans that include 319 apartments, retail space and a 250-seat restaurant.

The proposal put to the council panel included 462 apartments and a 300-seat restaurant.

DAC director assessment, Phil Smith, said the changes had been made during substantial negotiations with the applicant, Sino Investments & Development.

"It's been changed a lot since it went to the council," he said yesterday.

"The council had a lot to say about it and there were some very substantial amendments addressing a lot of the council concerns.

"This is not a case where DAC has rolled the council.

"DAC has taken on the council concerns, sought amended plans and approved the amended version."

In its written submission to the DAC, the council criticised the "repetitious design of all three buildings".

"In this particular location, that is the gateway to the city, a high standard of design and architectural finish is desired," the submission read.

In her report to the DAC on Thursday, state assessment officer Gabrielle McMahon wrote the development would revive an under-developed site and "make a contribution to redevelopment of the western part of the CBD".

Developer Sino Australia Investments and Development general manager Ted Kurauskas said the current procedures and professionalism by the relevant parties within the Adelaide council was incongruent with its public statements about Adelaide becoming Australia's leading "learning centre".

"Until the council realigns its role and processes to professionally underpin the Government's objectives of increased foreign students, investors will always be wary in becoming involved in any major infrastructure developments within Adelaide's CBD," he said.

The commission has the ultimate power of approval for all city developments valued over $10 million after the State Government stripped the council of responsibility last year.

[ynotsfables]

I don't want to come across as being someone who wants development to go ahead just for the sake of development, however i fully support this project being built.
I believe that area needs to start developing, it may not be the most attractive piece of architecture, but it's not that bad either. Secondly it's also not the be all and end all in that area either. There is scope for a lot more development in the future that could possibly compliment these apartments and give us an attractive gateway from the airport.
As for councilor Wilkinson saying this will develope into a future slum, to me that comes accross as a bit of an exaggeration. I don't think it's in anyones best interest to want build a slum.

[skyliner]

I liked the first render of this thread - did not come acoss as commie blocks or future slums but as an enhancement to the area. Of course renders can cover a lot that should be seen and probably closer to reality, but as such caused me no issues all. Overall, is it better or worse that what is currenly there? Is there room for improvement should it be needed in the future?

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[muzzamo]

Anything that sensibly increases housing supply and stops the asian kids competing with locals for rental positions i'm all for.

[Howie]

Anything that sensibly increases housing supply and stops the asian kids competing with locals for rental positions i'm all for.

Why? I'm all for good rental return and tenants who don't trash the place.

[how_good_is_he]

Whats amazing is that when a developer does something world class like the initial renders for 199 North Tce the council takes 1.5 - 2yrs and still rejects it/dumbs it down. At least DAC seem to at least do things in a timely manner.

[Will Derwent]

Perhaps this is too obvious, but I can't see why the blank western walls couldn't be used as some massive advertising space. The street frontage is enormous, and the amount of traffic down west terrace is about as high as Adelaide street traffic gets.

Some tasteful, large scale advertising on a set of three 'canvases' that size would stop people in their tracks, and hopefully satisfy both requirements for fireproof walls and something other than a blank offensive looking facade.

And don't tell me that advertising agencies wouldn't be killing each other to get their hands on the job to produce something attention grabbing.

[Brando]

Perhaps this is too obvious, but I can't see why the blank western walls couldn't be used as some massive advertising space. The street frontage is enormous, and the amount of traffic down west terrace is about as high as Adelaide street traffic gets.

Some tasteful, large scale advertising on a set of three 'canvases' that size would stop people in their tracks, and hopefully satisfy both requirements for fireproof walls and something other than a blank offensive looking facade.

And don't tell me that advertising agencies wouldn't be killing each other to get their hands on the job to produce something attention grabbing.

I agree, not just a billboard with a poster, would be awesome to see a huge LCD screen advertising what our city has to offer to the tourist waiting at the intersection heading from the airport.
Something bright, modern and with plenty of colour at night.

[Ben]

This isn't really practical as the site infront of it along west terrace will no doubt be redeveloped and cover up anything of interest. It would have to be cost effective.

[Omicron]

This isn't really practical as the site infront of it along west terrace will no doubt be redeveloped and cover up anything of interest. It would have to be cost effective.

Wouldn't that be the point of making it advertising space, so that someone other than the developer foots the bill? I'm sure in this day and age that temporary screens and the like are easy enough to set-up and dismantle as required.