An 18-storey vertical Best Life Communities land lease development has been approved for the Adelaide CBD.
To our knowledge it is the first vertical land lease community in the country.
The new tower, to be built adjacent to a Calvary hospital, will comprise 154 mostly two-bedroom “affordable retirement living” units as well as commercial and office space on the ground floor; the apartments will be aimed at over-50s.
Despite the fact that the proposed 62.9-metre development exceeds the 53-metre height limit for the area, the assessment panel gave it the green light at a meeting last week.
“It is considered that the building design displays sufficient merit to warrant the height exceedance, particularly in terms of the amendments that have been made to the façades to incorporate increased vertical elements, fenestration and balcony framing and the use of appropriate materials and finishes.
“It is also noted that the proposed development will provide a high degree of amenity for residents in the form of generous balconies and terraces and a communal terrace area and will contribute positively to the streetscape by locating street-activating uses along both frontages,” the panel said.
Best Life owns two other communities in South Australia, at Victor Harbor and Playford Waters.
Vertical land lease communities are also being explored by developers such as GemLife, as seen at this year’s LEADERS SUMMIT.
