[U/C] 88 O'Connell Street | 63m | 13, 13 and 15 Levels | Mixed Use

[Brucetiki]

It's...er...different. Not sure if different in a good way though.

None of the buildings really fit in with the area, but then it'll be something new for the area and will be a unique precinct.

[Jim]

I like the fact that it does not look like an urban shopping centre, it's eclectic mix of buildings makes it interesting

[Nathan]

InDaily says it was done by Ignite Architects.

I actually like it (didn't think I'd ever say that about a Makris proposal). There's a good variety of buildings and finishes, which will stop such a large development feeling homogenous. And the cladding of the tower is rather nice (there's a similar apartment building in St Kilda IIRC with similar cladding and it looks great).

[Patrick_27]

plans for the site which will include retail, residential, a boutique hotel and a car park.

Well that was predictable.

I've been thinking about the site recently. I rarely if ever travel to North Adelaide but dropped in there a week ago and realised that the immediate precinct along O'Connell needs some open space. The area at the southeastern corner of Collins/Swanston Street provides a reasonable example.

Comparison:

You're joking, right? Open space? How about the abundance of park-land that surrounds North Adelaide? This city has enough unused parks without the need for more. The only reason City Square in Melbourne works is because Melbourne CBD has literally no parks and the city streets are shrouded by high-rise buildings, and even then the original concept of the square failed - hence the construction of a boutique hotel over half of what was originally there.

[Ben]

From an underutilised, unaccesible eyesore to a high rise, accisible to only the elite eyesore. If that is his legacy to Adelaide what is he trying to say? Where is the glass in those apartments? Surely people don't want to pay a premium for concrete and tiny windows.

[Nathan]

From an underutilised, unaccesible eyesore to a high rise, accisible to only the elite eyesore. If that is his legacy to Adelaide what is he trying to say? Where is the glass in those apartments? Surely people don't want to pay a premium for concrete and tiny windows.

I'd assume that the skin of the tower would be a metal mesh, like the [url ="http://www.archdaily.com/421871/luna-ap ... rg-fraser/"]Luna Apartments[/url]

Luna:


LeCornu Development:


And how is it accessible to only the elite? It's a mixed used development - with apartments, hotel, retail and a public plaza. Sure the apartments might be on the pricey side but that's not stopping people accessing the rest of the development.

[crawf]

The ideal situation would be if Makris sold that site to another developer who is 100% willing to build anything without continuously moaning. I seriously cannot stand him anymore.

The North Adelaide Residents Association is going to have a heart attack when they see these latest plans.

[ynotsfables]

Good luck, if this can be pulled off then I take my hat off to both the DAC and the developers. I think the timing is right however, with the new Adelaide oval, NWS nine moving, the riverbank precinct being re-developed, casino etc. I think the demand for a hotel in that area along with high end retail and accommodation will work.
Strategically it's quite an interesting idea to expand the city outside of its square mile.

Cheers.

[Mr Smith]

Truly hideous, even by Makris' lofty standards.

[rev]

Good luck, if this can be pulled off then I take my hat off to both the DAC and the developers. I think the timing is right however, with the new Adelaide oval, NWS nine moving, the riverbank precinct being re-developed, casino etc. I think the demand for a hotel in that area along with high end retail and accommodation will work.
Strategically it's quite an interesting idea to expand the city outside of its square mile.

Cheers.

What?
The "City" isn't being expanded outside it's existing boundaries.
What has Nine moving premises from North Adelaide into the City got to do with this development on another site in North Adelaide?

They've been promising us high end retail for years now on this site. Where is it?
I see a Tiffanys has opened up on North Tce.......what's changed on the Lecornu site, grass has grown?

I wish the states richest man would just do something and stop shining the spotlight on him self with his proposals and ideas. Just build something already malaka!

[ynotsfables]

Sorry dude I disagree. Rome wasn't built in a day, opportunities need to develop and evolve, sure Makris should have pulled his finger out earlier, 25 years is a long time, I can understand the frustration however being a business man and possibly a shrewd one at that he's in a position to possibly know and to act when the market is right, you only have to look at the activity going on around you.

Don't get me wrong I'm not advocating for the man's behaviour or decision making skills, all I think is great, it looks like a potential winner why shouldn't it be? ( and I'm sure you could possibly find a dozen reasons why, but so what your reasoning may be no different to the causes of previous delays.)

The city is starting to expand outside of its square mile ( not to say that the square mile is fully developed itself of course) this is evident with the new RAH, the Bowden Tod, the 30 year plan to develop higher density in the suburbs, etc. Its all relevant, The channel nine site is a catalyst for new innovative development with the attraction of being centric to the oval and riverside re-developments why shouldn't the Lecornue site be as well, it is in walking distance from the CBD.

Cheers.

[Jim]

Always a lot of criticism of this site, but at least the owner has always had a vision. The site is hemmed by a hedge of shrubs and really Doesn't look that bad. I am sure I could take photos of a hundred worse sites around the Adelaide CBD, derelict buildings, empty car yards, old empty sheds and wear houses. Their owners have no vision probably happy to have them empty as a tax dodge. Then there are others that although rented have not had a lick of paint (blue and white I think) since the 1960's.
Anyway good to see a man with a vision and prepared to put his money into it.

[rev]

With Tiffany opening up, Crown Hotel and Ibis hotel, Vue and a number of other apartment towers going up or already gone up in recent years his argument using the financial crisis as an excuse is less valid with every new development.

End of the day he can leave It an empty block for all I care. I'm just sick of hearing about nee proposals for this site and nothing happening.

[Kasey771]

How is Con still referred to as a developer? All he seems to be these days is talk..lots of artists renderings and posturing in the media, very little actually getting built. This proposal is interesting, but I seriously doubt it will progress past the drawings stage. Too flashy, too modern too tall and in North Adelaide = good luck champ

[crawf]

Always a lot of criticism of this site, but at least the owner has always had a vision.

There is alot of criticism when it comes to Makris, and so there should be. For the past decade or longer, he has bitched moaned and promised time after time that construction will start soon... 2014 is about to come to an end, and yet this site is still a vacant eyesore.

His vision previously was unrealistic and tacky. This proposal is err interesting and will bring a much needed boast to O'Connell Street, though after 25 years I couldn't care if they build a Costco on that site. Anything than a wasteland, it's such an embarrassment.

The site is hemmed by a hedge of shrubs and really Doesn't look that bad.

I'm pretty sure that's the doing of the City Council in aim to improve the appearance of the block. All he's done is pose for the camera and bulldozed a couple of buildings.

Some people are being way too nice or have a short memory. I don't know why anyone would try to defend or give him credit after the amount of bullsh*t he has spun to the media over the last decade. If any other developer had the opportunity to develop this highly priced piece of real estate, this debate would of ended years ago. Cheers Makris