Four-tower project announced for Adelaide's East End

Plans for a $900 million four-tower housing and hotel development in Adelaide's East End have been unveiled by the state government, the City of Adelaide and housing providers Junction and Unity Housing.

According to the state government, the announcement of the City East project follows recent planning code amendments that allow for increased building heights in the CBD. The proposed mixed-use development would be among the largest of its kind in Adelaide, featuring a 200-room hotel, commercial office spaces and 700 apartments - 200 of which would be affordable - across four towers up to 39 storeys in height.

The architecture firm engaged to prepare the vision and concept designs was Bates Smart, led by studio director Matt Davis. A communique from the project partners noted that the proposed design accommodates a "high-quality public realm and green space connected to new, vibrant laneways," as well as activated street frontages along Pirie and Flinders Streets, between which the 8,000-square-metre site is positioned.

Lord Mayor of Adelaide Jane Lomax-Smith said the project will assist the City of Adelaide in reaching its population target of 50,000 residents by 2026. "We are, and always will be, active in progressing and supporting property developments that create diversity in housing offerings and diversity in our population," said Lomax-Smith.

South Australian Minister for Housing Nick Champion said at the core of the project is a housing offering that provides "fairness, affordability and an opportunity in our housing market for those who want to enjoy the benefits of city living," with a developer now being sought to deliver it.

"The Adelaide City Council and Lord Mayor are to be congratulated for their bold vision for the East End and their efforts getting this project to the stage where we are ready to get a developer on board. I also congratulate the other members of this ambitious partnership, Junction and Unity, for their work on this project," said Champion.

The project announcement comes after the approval of a 38-storey tower in Festival Plaza, also made possible by planning code amendments permitting towers up to 40 storeys.