APP: Gawler Chambers Redevelopment | 66m | 16lvls | Office

[Ben]

Lodged yesterday:

Type: Development Application Received
Application Number: DA/117/2011
Lodgement Date: 15/02/2011
Location: GAWLER CHAMBERS, 186-190 North Terrace, ADELAIDE SA 5000
Description: Renovate existing heritage facade and construct 13 level office building at rear.

[Nathan]

Isn't the "rear" the gawler place u-park?

Personally I think Gawler Chambers would make an excellent boutique hotel (something along the lines of Ace Hotel), but offices are certainly better than having it vacant.
Hard to think what it would look like though, given that the facade is only 5 levels high, and that it's not very deep. It'd just be an even shallower block sticking up from the current building.

[SRW]

How very curious. They don't mean to just keep the façade and build the tower behind it, do they?

[Waewick]

I look forward to some more detail on that one.

[Omicron]

I wasn't expecting that. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what they do with this one - if they be all discreet about it like the North Tce facade of the Myer Centre, or if they do an ultra-modern contrast. Could they make it residential so I can live there?

[Will]

From the Advertiser:

Gawler Chambers' modern makeover

Giuseppe Tauriello From: The Advertiser February 24, 2011 12:00AM



An artist's impression of the proposed upgrade of Gawler Chambers. Source: AdelaideNow


THERE are plans to build a multi-level tower behind the historic Gawler Chambers on North Tce.

THE Gawler Chambers will be transformed into contemporary office accommodation if a development application for its redevelopment is approved.

Adelaide Development Company, which has owned the building on the corner of North Tce and Gawler Place since 1945, plans to build a multi-level commercial office tower behind the building's 1914 facade.

Company general manager Ian Marker said while there was a general shift of Adelaide's commercial hub towards the south, the development would revitalise the North Tce precinct.

"Having worked to identify options for Gawler Chambers for more than 10 years, we have come up with a proposal that will acknowledge the building's past, create a new commercial opportunity for Adelaide, revitalise the city's premier boulevard and assist in improving and revitalising pedestrian access between Rundle Mall and North Tce," he said.

Situated close to luxury fashion destinations such as Max Mara, it is planned the building's ground floor will enhance North Tce's emerging reputation for high-end fashion.

The five-star green-star building has been designed by Philadelphia-based studio LFA in collaboration with Adelaide-based Matthews Architects and will create 5000sq m of commercial space.

Mr Marker said the redeveloped offices would attract boutique organisations, such as legal firms and government departments that would "appreciate such a prestigious location".

A smooth development application process and transition to construction should see the building completed by 2015.

[crawf]

Boxy, boring and doesn't incorporate the existing building what-so-ever. The only plus is the shiny glass facing the north...

Getting sick of Adelaide being a dumping ground for cheap proposals

[Omicron]

GAWLER PLACE

Adelaide, Australia

Mid-Rise Building

Designed


studio LFA designed the twelve-story mid-rise offices as a liner building to protect the integrity and character of the historic Gawler Building.

The building is located in Adelaide’s CBD along North Terrace, across from the State Library and the Gardens of the South Australia Government House. The prosed liner building is designed as an extension of the existing Gawler Building. The design engages a dialog between new and historic architecture in an attempt to establish a new office concept apart from the current market. A harmonious integration of architecture and engineering is achieved in both structural and mechanical systems by the projection of cantilever volumes over the air rights of the existing historic buildings. Zones of varying degrees of privacy from the most public ground level are organized by the volumetric play establish by the building massing and materials.

A building frame that employs a double glazed reflective fenestration system for physical comfort in all climatic conditions encloses the building. Roof and vertical terrace gardens serve to purify air and water collection allowing the building to conserve natural resources.

The historic building enclosure is restored and formes an urban collage both vertically and horizontally with the new glazed liner building. The ground level of the historic building serves as the lobby entry in addition to street level commercial activities at various scales. The tower component is lined and capped by luminaries’ diffusers (LED Lighting) that make the building glow as a backdrop to the park.

http://www.studiolfa.com/description,gawl.html

[Mants]

ground floor retail please. i dont mind it, it'd be a difficult site to build anything spectacular on.

[crawf]

Thanks Omircon. That is much better

[rhino]

I like it too.

[Nathan]

That render on AdelaideNow is scary. The real one is a lot more tolerable, although I can't help but think how much better it would look without the 'pod' sticking out the front.

[King]

For once, I like the pod on this building. It makes good use of the airspace above the existing building and I think overall it compliments it nicely.

[Pikey]

Very nice indeed. I like the look of a clean, glass tower above a heritage building.

Let's hope this one is approved and construction starts soon.

[skyliner]

The second render is far better - has some appeal about it - esp with the lighting. The old/new juxtaposition also seems to work. Looking forward to seeing what they actuaslly do internally on the ground floor of the original bldg. Thanks Omi for all the details.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE