We are already seeing the future vision for the former Royal Adelaide Hospital site come to fruition, as innovative social enterprises and daring digital agencies begin to coalesce on the site, tenders for forthcoming demolition works are released and the site remains activated bringing even more people into Adelaide's popular East End. Over the coming years, it will flourish further, becoming a vibrant hub welcoming thousands of people each day to visit, work and play.
Adaptive re-use
A major component of the on site activity involves work being done to adaptively re-use six heritage (and one non-heritage) buildings in the south-west corner of the site. The growth of Adelaide’s entrepreneurial ecosystem will be nurtured with over 23,000 square metres of new space dedicated to creating the jobs of the future.
Works have already begun to transform these buildings, with tenants expected to move into the refurbished Eleanor Harrald and the Margaret Graham Buildings in the coming months. This will create an exciting precinct for start-up and entrepreneurship – driving innovation and acceleration across global markets.
It is anticipated that by the end of this year, the University of Adelaide will be on site with the refurbished Women’s Health Centre becoming Australia’s first Institute for Machine Learning.
Demolition works
Stage One demolition works are on track to be completed at the end of the year, paving the way for more than 70 per cent of the site to be opened to the public for the first time.
Renewal SA has released tenders calling for managing contractors on Stage Two and Stage Three demolition, for arguably one of the biggest demolition projects ever undertaken in South Australia.
Stage Two demolition works are set to be underway this year with the earmarked demolition of the obsolete Theatre Block, Outpatients’ Block and Emergency Block, which will create future business opportunities for building sectors and new development on site.
New on-site experiences
While the site is transforming, the public are being invited to reconnect with the site and since the hospital closure, more than 20,000 people have visited the colourful pop-up activations and new tenancies.
There will be something for everyone to re-experience the site this winter through South Australian food, wine, music, art, heritage tours, engaging school holiday programs and wellness classes.
The new social heart of the site will heat up this winter for Hello Fridays with tasty South Australian food and beverages offerings to treat your senses whilst listening to local up and coming musicians.
Come and try Unwind health and wellness classes, including mediation, yoga, group fitness and movement classes – or discover delicious South Australian produce and the latest food trends through the Urban Eats Project.
Visitors can interact with the site’s first artist in residence, Anna Gore, who creates whimsical abstract artworks – or book an engaging history and heritage tour, available for a limited time to hear the site’s stories come to life.