SA’s Minuzzo Plots Apartments Behind Unley Factory Façade

A developer plans to dismantle much of the heritage facade of a rare industrial building in the affluent Adelaide suburb of Unley and build an eight-storey residential tower behind it before reconstructing the red-brick edifice.

Minuzzo Project Management has filed a proposal to adapt the 1906-built sawtooth-roofed structure that once housed woolen cardigan and jumper manufacturer Penny’s Knitting Mills.

The former mills building, at 135 Greenhill Road, was a rare industrial site at Unley, long one of Adelaide’s premier suburbs, before being converted to offices in the 1980s.

To allow construction to proceed, Minuzzo intends to dismantle and rebuild large sections of the locally heritage-listed structure’s facade.

If approved by SA’s State Commission Assessment Panel, the eight-storey project would comprise 16 three, 14 two and two one-bedroom apartments.

Two three-level townhouses are also planned for the 1550sq m site.

▲ A rendering of the industrial-to-residential adaptive reuse project as seen from Unley's Greenhill Road.

The Aplin Cook Gardener-designed project would include a 140sq m ground-floor communal area with a pool room and wine room.

The lot’s existing 16 parking spaces would be replaced by 23 ground-floor spaces and 36 at basement level.

Cyclists would be provided with eight resident bicycle spaces in the basement and four visitor bicycle parking spaces outside.

Penny’s Knitting Mills wound down in 1982 after tariff reductions in the 1970s lead to industries based around wool to struggle.

Minuzzo was contacted for comment. Public feedback on the developer’s project is due to close on April 1.