ApartmentsChris ThomsonThu 29 Oct 26
Second Ormond Tower Runs into Planning Headwinds in Adelaide
An 11-storey apartment tower overlooking Adelaide parklands has hit a planning hurdle, with a decision on the proposal deferred.
The site of developer Ormond Nominees’ proposal is next door to another of its projects—a 10-storey tower approved in 2024.
Directed by Randell Dixon, Ormond's latest tower is slated for 77 South Terrace and was recommended for approval ahead of a City of Adelaide assessment panel on September 28.
But the panel deferred a decision until a wind analysis, confirmation of access and egress arrangements, and clarification of waste management strategies could be provided.
Plans for the tower, drafted by LOOka Design, did not re-emerge on the agenda for the most recent panel meeting, which held on October 26.
The proposed tower would comprise one three-bedroom apartment per floor, except on Levels 1 and 2 where a car stacker would be housed as well as a parkland-facing one-bedroom apartment. Twenty-two cars and 12 bicycles would be accommodated.
Each of the three-bedroom apartments would have a large study, four bathrooms, separate laundry and two balconies.
A communal terrace with water feature, plant equipment and mechanical services would top the tower.
A two-storey office building on the 270sq m site would be demolished under the acheme.
A report prepared for Ormond by Simon Grose of Advantage Planning said the development demonstrated merit in its design, scale and proportions.
“The proposal’s height is comparable to other existing buildings along South Terrace and less than other buildings that have recently been approved,” Grose said.
The Urban Developer attempted to contact Ormond for comment via Grose.
Ormond’s approved 10-storey tower at 75-76 South Terrace will have five three-bedroom apartments and 10 two-bedroom apartments. One of the project’s 15 apartments is pictured at the top of this story.
Hotbed of crane activity
The Ormond proposals would add to the 28 cranes now scratching the sky across metropolitan Adelaide.
According to data for the third quarter of this year by global construction, property and management firm RLB,residential projects comprised 64 per cent of all operating cranes in the metro area.
The city has had a 38 per cent increase in residential cranes since the last quarter, nearly four times the increase in the national rate of 10.3 per cent.
New residential cranes added in the quarter included the Trinity student accommodation project, the Buckingham Arms hotel redevelopment, Franklin Tower, Festival Tower II, Otello Unley and the Wirra Mikangka social housing project.
In 2025-26, construction in SA rose 15 per cent. That was the strongest growth of any state or territory, ahead of Western Australia (9 per cent), Queensland (6.7 per cent), New South Wales (5.7 per cent) and Victoria (0.2 per cent).
During the financial year, engineering construction in SA grew by 21.2 per cent, non-residential activity rose by 15.5 per cent and residential activity increased by 5.8 per cent.
