Sensational-Adelaide.com

Goody Rd to get a multi-million dollar highrise

by Tim Williams

A MULTI-million dollar development with a centrepiece hotel, apartments and possibly retirement living, stretching several storeys high, is being earmarked opposite the Adelaide Showgrounds, on Goodwood Rd.

The proposed development would represent a dramatic change for this part of Wayville, an area Unley Mayor Richard Thorne said was “ripe for development”.

The Eastern Courier understands the main player behind the proposed development is the Sgherza Group but owner Sam Sgherza would not comment.

At least four properties between Young and Le Hunte streets currently housing Transforma, the Commander Centre, the House of Prints, and the SA office of the National Institute of Youth Performing Arts have all been sold this year (see fact file).

One of the purchasers is a company named Wayville Plaza, registered to the Norwood address of the Sgherza Group. Wayville Plaza bought the Transforma site for $3.25 million, in June, the same month two more companies, Wayville Plaza Apartments and Wayville Plaza Retirement, were registered.

The House of Prints gallery was bought, in June, by the company Wayville Lifestyle, registered to the same address as the gallery, for an undisclosed sum. The gallery would not comment on the sale or the development.

Unley’s Development Plan currently limits heights on the eastern side of Goodwood Rd to two storeys. Apartment blocks are non-complying. The council wants to update its Development Plan to allow apartments above commercial premises on major roads but this would be years away from receiving State Government approval.

Planning Institute SA state manager Kirsty Kelly said it would be “relatively difficult” for the council to approve a non-complying development of any more than about five storeys, because of likely appeals by residents.

In May, the State Government gave major project status to the former Le Cornu site, North Adelaide, and in September approved a six-storey retail and apartment complex, twice the City Council’s three-storey limit.

Ms Kelly said the Goodwood Rd development was an unlikely candidate for major project status, which should go only to developments of significant economic or environmental importance to the state: “But the Le Cornu one shouldn’t have got it either,” she said.

A Department of Planning and Local Government (formerly Planning SA) media officer said the department was aware of interest in the site but had not been approached by developers.

Showgrounds CEO John Rothwell said he had been approached by unnamed developers about options for the site, which is directly opposite the Showgrounds’ Ridley Gates.

Mr Rothwell said a hotel had been discussed and he was enthusiastic about accommodation for Royal Adelaide Show-goers and visitors to conventions and exhibitions at the Showgrounds.

“I think a hotel would complement the area,” Mr Rothwell said. “The suburb has no accommodation, so at Show time it would be booked out in five minutes. People from interstate would find it very convenient.”

He said parking and traffic management for any development would need to be addresssed.

Mr Thorne said Unley Council would “look as favourably as we can about development there”. “Some better quality development there would be a plus for the city (of Unley) and the Showgrounds ... a lot of the stuff over there is set well back from the street and looks a bit rundown,” he said.

Mr Thorne said the scale of the Showgrounds’ new Goyder Pavilion on Goodwood Rd “has increased possibilities for what can be done on the site opposite”.

“With Centennial Hall gone and the new pavilion there, the height of the general locality has increased now,” he said.

Unley’s development manager Paul Weymouth said he was “aware of the possibility of amalgamations of those (Goodwood Rd) sites but “no discussions of any substance” had taken place with developers.

Goodwood Park Hotel co-owner Peter Rogers said news about a development bringing more visitors or residents to the area “made my day”.

“I think it would be terrific for the general area and all businesses concerned.”

Snorkie wrote:I must admit i have known about this one for a few months now. However i was and am still unable to disclose much of what I know. All i can say is that the developer is very determined, and certain properties have been purchased way above market value, and at this point expect this project to go ahead (i.e. credit crunch should not affect).
To be honest beween me and a handful of other guys I know, I could prob give you guys an update on 2/3 of the projects on this website, unforunately I can't say a word which really sucks, because you never know who is reading this forum!!!

Allkai wrote:Anybody like to give odds on this one being completed before the disaster at Rose Tce?

$300m Makeover for Goodwood Road at Wayville
December 17, 2008 12:00pm


A SWEEPING $300 million residential and commercial development on Goodwood Rd at Wayville has today been granted major project status by the State Government.

The project would involve a complete makeover for the streetscape opposite the Adelaide Showground - which itself has undergone a significant upgrade over the past 18 months.

"The Wayville" development proposes a boutique hotel, shopping mall, apartments and retirement living units, and underground parking.

The developers - Sam Sgherza Group, of Norwood - say it has received positive support from local businesses along Goodwood Rd.

Th.e project today received major project status from the State Government through Planning Minister Paul Holloway. This will trigger a co-ordinated assessment and approval process that must be followed before final approval can be granted.

“If you thought the old showgrounds frontage needed replacing, the eastern side seriously needs a quality project to reflect the new style of the Adelaide Showground and its national and international events,” said Mr Sgherza.

“This project has what the area needs, not just a streetscape re-invigoration but also a combination of outlets for small business, car parking, near to city retirement apartments, quality residential hotel and a shopping centre that will generate activity and jobs at all times of the year and especially during the Royal Adelaide Show build-up.

“Goodwood Road is a major gateway to the parklands and the city deserves a more attractive and vibrant presentation for the community."

The large site combines multiple properties between 43 – 51 Goodwood Road at Wayville between Young St and Le Hunte St, that are owned or controlled by the group.

It would be a mixed use development of six above ground levels with retail shops, food outlets, a supermarket, boutique hotel and apartments, medical consulting rooms and retirement village with more than 100 units with courtyards and common areas; and three basement levels for car parking with almost 900 spaces.

Levels 2 – 5 would be reserved for hotel rooms, apartments and retirement village and the top floor would have roof gardens, pools and tennis courts for owners and guests.