HE'S THINKING INSIDE THE SQUARE
Lawyer Unveils Light Vision
MEET the man who plans to propel Light Square's lacklustre architectural image into the future - despite the objections of Adelaide City Council. Well-known Adelaide lawyer Morry Bailes is the man behind the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of the square's prominent south-eastern corner that will see the construction of a state-of-the-art "green" building.
The 13-storey complex - worth more than $10 million - will feature a living wall garden as its facade and will be the largest building on Light Square when completed in late 2010.
Plans for the building sparked intense debate last month when the council's Development Assessment Panel refused planning approval because it was 5m higher than council's 40m limit for the precinct. One member said the building did not meet the "desired character" for Light Square and would clash with its smaller buildings.
Another said it was "exciting and different" but was "a few storeys too high". After the DAP rejected the plans, Mr Bailes sought approval from the State Government's Development Assessment Commission, which has the power to override the DAP for major projects. It granted approval for the development on July 12. Mr Bailes, managing partner of law firm Tindall Gask Bentley, yesterday said construction was expected to start next month. "We were disappointed the DAP decision went against that of the council's own planners," he said. "We had altered the design to the extent the planners were happy but they were then overruled.
"The DAP rejected it because of the height but the DAC has seen the merit in having a contemporary landmark corner building in Light Sq. It is disappointing the DAP did not."
Mr Bailes said he was hoping construction of the building would be the catalyst for further redevelopment in the precinct. When the building is completed next year, Tindall Gask Bentley, one of SA's largest law firms with more than 100 employees, will occupy most of the building.
Mr Bailes said he expected the design of the building to spark continuing debate in the community, which he believed was mature enough to accept such design concepts.
Sunday Mail 1/8/09 Nigel Hunt