Plans revealed for Adelaide

A $400-million, 37-storey skyscraper has been proposed for Adelaide's CBD - in what could become the city's tallest tower at 183 metres.

A development application was submitted on 30 October by the Freemasons Hall Trust for the site behind the heritage-listed 1927 Freemasons Grand Lodge at 254 North Terrace. Project plans were listed on the public developments register this December. According to planning documents, the historic lodge will remain on the site, with more than 80 percent of the building to be retained. The Great Hall, at the rear, is proposed for demolition.

Designed by Walter Brooke, the proposed tower features a 240-room hotel, office spaces, a business lounge, a function area, a pool, an observatory with 360-degree views of the city, and a wellness centre. The tower has also been proposed as the site of a new museum of South Australian history, with reports that plans for the museum will be submitted later this year.

If constructed, Freemasons would retain partial ownership of the building, with the objective being to increase their annual donations to not-for-profit organizations from $2.9 million to $5 million.

According to the Keystone Adelaide website, the project has involved contributions from not only Walter Brooke, but Arup, Future Urban, Hosking Willis Architecture, the History Trust of South Australia, Adelaide City Council, and Michael Baragwanath.

To find out more about the plans, visit the website.