Go-ahead for $150m store plan
Article from: The Advertiser
November 04, 2008 12:01am
ADELAIDE City Council has approved a $150 million development on the Harris Scarfe site in the city.
At a special council meeting last night, the 19-storey tower was given the green light by a majority of councillors.
The development – which still has to gain State Government approval – will include four floors of Harris Scarfe retail space and offices.
While the Harris Scarfe building, which was built in 1922 and is not heritage listed, will be demolished, the council may consider paying the developer, Alteman, to retain the current facade.
However, Lord Mayor Michael Harbison would not speculate on a "fair price".
"Council is saying, if possible, they'd like the developers to retain some of the character of the area," he said. "The idea was floated that council might offer some incentives for the retention of some of these facades, but that comes down the track a bit."
The business, which began in the 1860s, now has 27 stores.
"The prospect of a new Harris Scarfe store in the centre of the city is very exciting," Mr Harbison said.
"With a 19-storey office building on top of it, it really is a great opportunity to bring even more life to South Australia's premier retail precinct."
Final approval power rests with the State Government's Development Assessment Commission, which will decide at a meeting on November 13.
A conflict of interest resulting from Adelaide City Council's ownership of part of the site meant it could not rule on the final development approval.
Also last night, the council approved a 17-storey office tower for Flinders St.
The proposal will replace a four storey building beside the state heritage-listed Observatory House.
