Eight-storey block wins bid to rise on The Parade
Re-vamped plans for an eight-storey apartment block on The Parade have won over the state’s planning body despite concerns about its size from the local council.
Revised designs lodged by Australasian Property Developments for an eight-storey apartment block on The Parade. Image: Cheesman Architects/Australasian Property Developments
Approval was granted by the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) for the $95 million ORTA On The Parade building after the developers altered the design, including removing five apartments from the 69 originally intended for the site.
Its turnaround follows the panel sending the plans back to the drawing board in June, after concerns were raised about the proposed size of the building, by nearby residents, the Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council and Government Architect.
News of the green light for the tower on land opposite the historic Norwood Hotel was welcomed by the developers, Australasian Property Developments, Rocca Property Group and Rollo Property Group.
Australasian Property Developments and Rocca Property Group managing director Pep Rocca said the project would retain the original heritage shopfronts on the site and was “our next exciting chapter” following “COMO in the heart of Norwood”.
“This development approval is a significant milestone and we’re looking forward to kicking off construction,” he said.
While the rear of four shops built on The Parade in the 1800s will be demolished, their front facades and bluestone walls are to be retained under local heritage laws.
In a recent report to the SCAP, state government planning officer Karl Woehle said the developer had “attempted to reduce the perceived bulk and scale of the development when viewed from The Parade by breaking the front façade into two segments”.
He recommended that the SCAP grant conditional planning consent, saying the changed design “exhibits a simplified architectural expression and materiality that references the immediate locality”.
Founder of Zollo Property Group Charlie Zollo said “the Zollo Property Group purchased its first site on The Parade more than 27 years ago and since then we’ve continued to invest in the area”.
Construction of the new building designed by Cheesman Architects, was now expected to start in months, and would include a retail and commercial space beneath six-storeys of residences ranging from two bedrooms to a penthouse.