Plans lodged for 35-storey residential tower in Adelaide

Designs for a 35-storey student accommodation tower in Adelaide's CBD have been lodged for planning approval by local planning and property firm Intro. According to a statement from the firm, the "design aims to create a vibrant living space that fosters community, supports academic success and integrates seamlessly with the urban environment."

Situated on Pulteney Street in Adelaide's CBD, the project is envisioned by the designers as an extension of the adjacent Hindmarsh Square through its inclusion of landscaped garden terraces throughout the podium, communal areas across the ground plane and direct views to the square from circulation corridors.

Intro says that while it was once a hub for industry, manufacturing and craftsmanship, the site's historical significance "has faded amidst modern developments, leaving a cultural disconnect." The statement notes that the design approach has been to reinvigorate the identity of the site, "using it as a framework to inform architectural decisions that recontextualise its legacy within a contemporary urban fabric."

The project includes demolition of a creative precinct known as The Block, which currently houses several retail and hospitality venues. In its place, the proposal includes ground floor retail outlets and a student reception area. Above, the tower is designed to accommodate 488 student accommodation beds, which, according to The Advertiser, are located across 405 individual and shared apartments.

In its massing, the proposed tower is designed with a central core positioned at the rear of the site to maximise views on three sides. Intro notes that it has looked to reduce the overall scale and bulk of the building through the articulation of key amenity levels across the facade.

The firm's design statement also notes that the architectural language of the proposal "draws on familiar inherited materials, forms, and rhythms - most notably the use of brick, vaulted soffits and archways - evoking the robust, utilitarian character of the site's past."

"By actively reintroducing historical narratives through built form and spatial expression, the project seeks to bridge past and present - restoring a sense of place and enriching the city's shared memory," the communique reads.

The project will be assessed by the South Australian State Planning Commission.