News & Discussion: Other Metropolitan Developments

[Aidan]

Haussmann had the advantage of absolute authority when he carved the boulevards through Paris - for military reasons, incidentally.

It made it a lot easier for the Germans to get their tanks in!

The older area of Paris has a general limit of five stories - for reasons of structure and lettability.There is plenty of high rise in Paris, mainly around La Defense. And the Eiffel Tower, of course.

Until recently the Eiffel Tower was the only tall building in central Paris, but IIRC the rules have recently been relaxed.

High rise development is generally a function of land prices + vertical transport options + structural capacity. All three factors were present in Chicago after the CBD was gutted by fire: high demand for the land; Elisha Otis' mechanical lift and the possibility of steel frame construction. Result: high rise buildings.

A fourth factor was the railways - there's unlikely to be high demand for tall buildings except in places with very good access.

[stumpjumper]

You're right. Chicago was a huge rwy centre.

[SRW]

The older area of Paris has a general limit of five stories - for reasons of structure and lettability.There is plenty of high rise in Paris, mainly around La Defense. And the Eiffel Tower, of course.

Until recently the Eiffel Tower was the only tall building in central Paris, but IIRC the rules have recently been relaxed.

Actually, quite a bit of high rise was built in central Paris in the 1960s/early 70s until the notorious Montparnasse skyscraper precipitated a reimposition of strict height limits in 1977. Since these were lifted in 2008, in so far as I'm aware, the only serious proposal has been repeatedly challenged and is unlikely to ever actually get off the ground.

[AG]

The older area of Paris has a general limit of five stories - for reasons of structure and lettability.There is plenty of high rise in Paris, mainly around La Defense. And the Eiffel Tower, of course.

Until recently the Eiffel Tower was the only tall building in central Paris, but IIRC the rules have recently been relaxed.

Actually, quite a bit of high rise was built in central Paris in the 1960s/early 70s until the notorious Montparnasse skyscraper precipitated a reimposition of strict height limits in 1977. Since these were lifted in 2008, in so far as I'm aware, the only serious proposal has been repeatedly challenged and is unlikely to ever actually get off the ground.

Some of the major European cities have established new districts or redeveloped former industrial areas to allow for the major office buildings and skyscrapers to be developed, including Paris. The older established districts don't allow for the large office floor plates that some large multinational firms demand. Most of Paris' tallest buildings are clustered in an area known as La Defense. London has a similar area known as Canary Wharf although tall buildings are scattered all over central London - including the tallest, the Shard.

[Ben]

Unley Council's Development Assessment Panel approves three-storey shopping complex for King William Rd
by:
John Stokes
From:
Eastern Courier Messenger March 25, 2013

A THREE-storey shopping complex is set to be built on King William Rd, despite the site being in a zone limited to two-storeys.
Duke Family Pty Ltd plans to demolish two existing buildings at 175-177 King William Rd, Hyde Park, and erect a complex with ground-floor shopping, a first floor showroom and second floor office space.

It was first proposed in 2010 and knocked back twice before being approved by Unley Council's Development Assessment Panel last week.
The council report acknowledged the building exceeded the height limit but said the top storey would be set back from the street, making it more suitable.
"The revised proposal and reduction in the bulk and scale of the three storey appropriate," the report says.
The report also noted a shortage of 11 carparks, but said it was acceptable.

The committee placed an easement on access to and from the carpark behind the complex and neighbouring buildings, ensuring two-way exit to Park St.
Committee member Brenton Burman, a senior planner, expressed concerns about the legitimacy of a decision which affected Park St businesses and residents who were not advised of the plan through the public consultation process.

"They haven't been subject to public notification," Mr Burman said.

Jeweller Julia Nicholls, owner of Joulz at 152 King William Rd, told the panel retailers feared the building was contributing to high vacancy rates on the road.
Ms Nicholls said more than 20 shops were vacant and more traders were set to move out because of worries access to the road would be limited for more than six months during construction.

But planner Phillip Brunning, speaking on behalf of Duke Family, said the new building could be a timely boost for the road.
"This significant investment is a vote of confidence in King William Rd," Mr Brunning said.
"It may assist in reversing the decline."

[Maximus]

I'd really love to see a 4-5 storey trendy, boutique hotel in that area of KWS. Something like one of the Art Series hotels. Perhaps a little further towards the city where there's currently less foot traffic. Adelaide doesn't really have many nice hotels outside the square mile and I'm sure the ability to stay in a trendy hotel in a trendy neighbourhood would be quite attractive to plenty of tourists. Not to mention the economic and atmospheric benefits for KWS itself.

[SRW]

I'd really love to see a 4-5 storey trendy, boutique hotel in that area of KWS. Something like one of the Art Series hotels. Perhaps a little further towards the city where there's currently less foot traffic. Adelaide doesn't really have many nice hotels outside the square mile and I'm sure the ability to stay in a trendy hotel in a trendy neighbourhood would be quite attractive to plenty of tourists. Not to mention the economic and atmospheric benefits for KWS itself.

Something like the Majestic Minima on Melbourne Street could do well there.

[Shahkar]

Could not find a suitable topic but what a horrible title.

Rise of the property underdog

SOUTH Australia is the nation's surprise new real estate darling with the highest level of potential buyer interest in homes.

Six of its suburbs are among Australia’s top ten sellers’ markets on realestate.com.au.

Sellers’ markets are measured by the number of people looking per listing in an area. While it broadly reveals new hot spots, the data can also indicate a lack of supply of houses for sale in those areas with homeowners reluctant to sell in an uncertain market.

The quarterly results show that Adelaide’s peaceful Parkside in the city’s inner south took out the number one position in the three months to February on Australia’s largest residential property website.

The suburb was once home to the mental health campus of the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Known as The Parkside Asylum, it was the main mental health facility in the state, and occupied about a third of the suburb.

The median house price for Parkside is $574,250 and the median unit price is $370,000, according to the latest RP Data figures.

Newcomers to realesate.com.au’s top sellers’ markets include Freshwater on Sydney’s northern beaches and Newmarket in Brisbane. Parkside and Unley - also in Adelaide - have regained popularity after falling off the top sellers’ list late last year.

Realestate.com.au spokesman Arthur Charlaftis said for people with property in these suburbs, now could be a good time to sell.

“We have more than 18.5 million visits to the realestate.com.au website every month, which gives us a solid indication of where people are looking to buy,” Mr Charlaftis said.

“The top sellers’ suburbs are ranked by the number of people looking per listing, which for these suburbs means a high level of buyer competition for each home.”

“A high level of competition indicates an increase in market participation a few months down the track.”

Anthony Toop from Toop&Toop Real Estate in South Australia said Parkside maintains its popularity because of its broad appeal.

“The area offers a blend of beautiful Victorian architecture to super-modern properties, as well as large residential homes and cottages,” Mr Toop said.

He attributes South Australia’s number one position to an increase in market confidence.

“Demand for property in South Australia has been on the rise since the last quarter of 2012. Low interest rates have seen a lift in buyer confidence, and people are realising that the South Australian property market is one of the most affordable on the mainland,” he said.

“The general consensus is that the market has bottomed and now is a good time to snap up an affordable property.”

Top sellers’ markets
1. Parkside (SA)
2. Unley (SA)
3. Crafers (SA)
4. Kensington Gardens (SA)
5. Norwood (SA)
6. Kirrawee (NSW)
7. Surrey Hills (VIC)
8. Freshwater (NSW)
9. Fullarton (SA)
10. Newmarket (QLD)

[Nathan]

Saw this plan for the Playford town park released today. Looks really good, with some nice terracing, a good variety of areas, activities and surfaces - and the angular nature is appealing.
http://www.playfordalive.com.au/upload/ ... oncept.pdf

playfordtown.png (679.57 KiB) Viewed 4722 times

[Shahkar]

I thought both sides were over this now?

Vickie Chapman says Liberals will review State Government population growth predictions as part of 30-Year Plan

OPPOSITION planning spokeswoman Vickie Chapman has stopped short of promising a Liberal government would dump high-rise apartment plans.

But the Opposition deputy has promised to review the contentious population growth predictions underpinning the State Government's plan to allow 10-storey buildings in city-fringe suburbs.

"The first thing we'll do - and are already doing - is review the 30-Year Plan's population data," Ms Chapman said.

"It's clear to us the material underpinning the current population data is illusionary in its expectations and predictions."

If the predictions were found to be flawed, a Liberal government would review where extra housing would be built across metropolitan Adelaide, Ms Chapman said.

That would include a review of building heights in the suburbs. She also pledged greater consultation on urban infill plans.

"We want to bring the people with us on this," she said.

Ms Chapman's comments follow her tabling a petition of about 1100 signatures in Parliament last week.

The petition, headed by the Burnside Residents' Association, opposes plans for 10-storey buildings along Fullarton and Greenhill roads.

Burnside Residents' Association president Anna Sullivan said the petitioners wanted the proposed maximum heights reduced to four to five storeys to preserve the area's heritage and village feel.

"It will be less imposing on the communities that live in the area," Dr Sullivan said.

Burnside Council told the Government it wanted buildings along the two roads capped at six storeys.

Under the Government's plans, developers might be allowed to go as high as 12 storeys if they met certain requirements, such as incorporating a childcare centre into the complex.

The building height changes along main roads in city-fringe suburbs are proposed to cater for a claimed Adelaide population increase of 560,000 in the next 30 years.

Planning Minister John Rau will make a final decision on the proposals after the Development Policy Advisory Committee - charged will collating public feedback on the plans - makes its recommendations.

[Nathan]

Oh dear. No wonder governments shy away from long term plans - because whatever they do will just get dismantled by the next government.

This bit gets me:

The petition, headed by the Burnside Residents' Association, opposes plans for 10-storey buildings along Fullarton and Greenhill roads.

Burnside Residents' Association president Anna Sullivan said the petitioners wanted the proposed maximum heights reduced to four to five storeys to preserve the area's heritage and village feel.

"It will be less imposing on the communities that live in the area," Dr Sullivan said.

I'm sorry, what heritage and 'village feel' is there along these two wide, high traffic roads that are currently home to mostly 2 story office park buildings?

[Matt]

My god she is a bore.

[Aidan]

Oh dear. No wonder governments shy away from long term plans - because whatever they do will just get dismantled by the next government.

Cancelled, not dismantled.

This bit gets me:

The petition, headed by the Burnside Residents' Association, opposes plans for 10-storey buildings along Fullarton and Greenhill roads.

Burnside Residents' Association president Anna Sullivan said the petitioners wanted the proposed maximum heights reduced to four to five storeys to preserve the area's heritage and village feel.

"It will be less imposing on the communities that live in the area," Dr Sullivan said.

I'm sorry, what heritage and 'village feel' is there along these two wide, high traffic roads that are currently home to mostly 2 story office park buildings?

There isn't. But she didn't say there was.

If the residential area 100m or more back from those roads has a village feel, getting overlooked by ten storey buildings may well change that.

You could sensibly argue that it isn't worth preserving, or that there are ways of preserving it despite the tall buildings, or even that it doesn't exist... but he feel of the development along the major roads tells you nothing about the feel of the residential areas behind.

[claybro]

Federal Liberal and State Liberal togther will spell disaster for this state. We will fall back into that genteel decline. They are all about shrinking government participation in EVERTHING. Problem is that in this state, there is not enough entrepenerial skill to pick up with money and visionary ideas when the government backs off. Expect Libs to cave to the loud conservative voices of Burnside, North Adelaide and the like. Expect an upgrade of South road with reversable peak hour lanes (i am not joking, it has been considered) and forget rail upgrades and anything of note in the suburbs. Last one out, turn off the lights please!

[Wayno]

Problem is that in this state, there is not enough entrepenerial skill to pick up with money and visionary ideas when the government backs off

Agreed and this problem will unfortunately persist for a while yet. The State Govt and ACC must keep their collective feet on the accelerator.