Developer lodges plans for 12-storey overseas student apartment block at Mawson Lakes
Colin James, The Messenger
May 26, 2020 1:24pm
A developer has lodged plans for a $35 million, 12-storey apartment block for overseas students at Mawson Lakes.
New South Wales-based Michael Calabro is seeking permission from the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) to build the tower on the junction of Capital St and Metro Parade.
Mr Calabro has engaged Adelaide company Future Urban to manage the project, which – if approved – will create the highest building in northern Adelaide.
A previous attempt by another developer, Frank Barbaro, to build a $30 million eight-storey apartment block on the 2556sq m site failed to proceed.
In his application, Mr Calabro said his building would have 405 beds, a publicly accessible food court, two retail tenancies, an underground carpark and various student amenities.
Those included a gymnasium, library and communal areas.
In a report prepared for SCAP, Future Urban said the proposed apartment block would help meet demand from overseas students for more accommodation, particularly at Mawson Lakes.
“As it stands, there are approximately 38,000 international students enrolled in South Australia yet only 5419 beds are available within purpose-built student accommodation,” it said.
“Indeed, many of the students who study at the University of South Australia’s Mawson Lakes Campus reside within the confines of the CBD and are forced to commute to Mawson Lakes on a daily basis simply because the area is bereft of suitable accommodation.”
Future Urban said a study last year found there were 4590 student beds in the CBD but only 300 in Mawson Lakes – of which 212 belonged to Mr Calabro in another student apartment block he had built on Capital St.
“It is abundantly clear, therefore, that there is a significant shortage of and a demonstrated need for purpose-built student accommodation, particularly within the Mawson Lakes area,” said the report.”
Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge said the council had made a submission to SCAP “as the relevant assessment authority for this application”.
‘Council staff under delegation have provided a response for consideration by SCAP, which references the matters that are considered relevant to SCAP’s assessment of the proposal against the provisions of the Salisbury Development Plan,” she said.
“The comments broadly support the intent of a high density student accommodation development on the subject site that will increase population in this locality and further activate the precinct.
“Council’s response also flagged that SCAP should give consideration to some design elements, adequacy of car parking, and public realm matters including traffic movements, in its assessment of the proposal.”
Public submissions on the proposal close on June 5.
The Messenger
