A $12 million investment to bring the Adelaide Railway Station back to its former glory is now in its final stages, with scaffolding coming down to reveal a beautifully restored heritage balcony.

Reinstatement of the balcony comes after the removal of a pedestrian airbridge, which was built across the width of the station concourse in the 1980s to provide valet access between Adelaide Casino and the adjacent InterContinental Hotel porte-cochere. The airbridge has been obsolete since the relocation of the SkyCity’s valet service to the new Festival Car Park in 2021.

Its removal means commuters can enjoy unobstructed views along the concourse for the first time in almost 30 years, whilst also providing space to appreciate the grand proportions and unique features of the hall, including its large-scale windows, columned forms and suspended pendant lights.

The balcony was delicately restored over several months using rendering and moulding techniques to seamlessly replicate the original building fabric.

Two light poles at either end of the heritage balcony will be reproduced and installed in the new year to bookend the decorative internal balcony, further emphasising it as the true architectural focal point of the concourse.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion said the concourse is the most significant part of the Adelaide Railway Station building and restoring it to its original form and volume has been a priority.

“At every stage of this project we’ve been seeking to honour the station’s 1920s character while also recognising Adelaide Railway Station’s vital place and role within the broader Adelaide Riverbank precinct,” Minister Champion said.

“Removal of the non-heritage concourse bridge and reinstatement of the former central concourse balcony is a key element of the program of works which is now another step closer to completion.”

Works on the Adelaide Railway Station to date have included western and eastern façade restoration, architectural lighting including the restoration of the ‘Seppelt sign’, an update to the North Terrace street-level frontage and footpath upgrade, northern portico restoration, upper ramp restoration, a new memorabilia display case, concourse shopfront upgrades and more.

Renewal SA Executive Director, Property and Major Projects, Todd Perry said this latest project milestone had been a long-term aspiration in line with the Adelaide Railway Station Conservation Management Plan Principles.

“Some 230,000 commuters access the Station every week along with a high flow of visitor and pedestrian foot traffic that passes through it between North Terrace and the Adelaide Riverbank - Karrawirra Pari,” Mr Perry said.

“Together with our project partner Built, Renewal SA has been carefully progressing a detailed program of works to restore and preserve this historic centrepiece of Adelaide’s entertainment precinct.

“It’s a building of both cultural and historical significance and it’s exciting to see it enter the final stages of meticulous and diligent restoration work.”

Built Director Christopher Bate said: “Built prides itself on being able to undertake all types of projects, from towers to office fit outs (big and small), however, there is a real appreciation for Heritage Restoration works, especially with the history of the Adelaide Railway Station. We cannot wait to see the final product and bring the station back to its unique 1920s character.”

The Adelaide Railway Station program of works will continue in 2024.