COMO finally realises the much needed once in a generation opportunity to redevelop this key site at the heart of The Parade, Norwood. With an anchor retail tenant, complementary specialty stores, commercial and medical spaces, car parking and a mix of apartment and townhouse living, the outcome will be a truly mixed-use offering which will bring vitality and vibrancy to the destination precinct.
Project Name: Como on the parade
Studio Name: Studio Nine Architects
Project size: 30500 m2
Site size: 17000 m2
Project Budget: $110000000
Building levels: 8
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Photography: Studio Nine Architects
In consideration of the scale and density of the residential offering, the development is striving to attract a diverse mix of homeowners to cultivate a unique sense of community, with 44 apartments, 24 sky terraces and a penthouse collection. “One of the real strengths of the scheme is the residential interface with George Street and its surrounding context”, says Studio Nine Architects Design Director, Tony Zappia. The introduction of nine, high-end apartments within a three-storey building are complementary in scale to its neighbours and act as a screen to the car parking.
The incorporation of 24, two-storey townhouses perched on the development’s third-storey is a truly unique offering and unlike anything currently on the market in Adelaide. The third-storey podium level is more or less a ‘park in the sky’ – an urban landscaped courtyard providing community spaces to residents and visitors, with clear views of the hills and city, unable to be achieved in a traditional ground level design.
The curated landscaping proposal across the podium level creates an elevated oasis – with varying zones providing different offerings of semi-public and private open-spaces that foster opportunities for placemaking and wellbeing. The addition of a community building and boardroom within the podium also allow residents and guests the opportunity to utilise the spaces for corporate meetings and casual functions. The project also encompasses the redevelopment of the Norwood Mall thoroughfare, reinforcing the connection between Coke Park and The Parade.
The key to success with this site laid in respecting the existing configuration of historic and existing easements and titles, alleviating a multitude of complexities and variables with the existing traders which were not part of our site. In addition, extensive and early engagement with various interest groups such as the Norwood Cork Tree Association, Norwood Traders, Norwood Payneham & St Peters Council, elected members and various resident groups, worked towards gaining their support, accommodating their concerns and having them understand the design methodology. This ultimately led to the most significant project in Norwood obtaining Planning Consent on the first attempt after lodgement.
As one of Adelaide’s premier suburbs, COMO will reinforce and revitalise the Norwood town centre, as a focal point for its resident’s and the surrounding community. Not only for Studio Nine, but also for Australasian Property Developments and the suburb of Norwood, this project will represent the largest and most prominent project within their portfolio. “Australasian Property Developments loyalty to our practice over the last almost 20 years has seen projects grow from small townhouse developments, to commercial fit-outs, building upgrades and purpose-built facilities, culminating with the COMO redevelopment”, says Tony.
“In a time where we saw many projects go on hold, Studio Nine and the wider consultant team were able to continue on with the working documentation, keeping to the project timeline. This highlighted Australasian Property Developments commitment to the project and ability to see opportunity during difficult economic times”, he says. The project is due to commence on site in early 2021, and is expected to create around 800 much-needed jobs in construction and up to 300 new job opportunities in retail once complete.
