Adelaide Festival Plaza

The upgrade of the Festival Plaza is key to delivering an Adelaide Riverbank that not only generates economic growth, but becomes a compelling destination of choice for local, interstate and overseas visitors by enhancing the public experience and improving how the area is used and perceived.

Back in March 2015, Renewal SA embraced an opportunity to leverage other development happening in and around the Adelaide Riverbank by developing a proposal with Walker Group Holdings Pty Ltd for the integrated redevelopment of the Adelaide Festival Plaza site.

The plaza redevelopment will see 16,500 m² of public space established in the areas surrounding the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Railway Station, Adelaide Casino, Parliament House and Old Parliament House and Station Road.

The upgrade of the public realm will be supplemented by the construction of a 24-storey office tower, retail space and a redeveloped, 1560-space car park. Upgrades are also being made to the Adelaide Festival Centre (AFC), for more information visit the Adelaide Festival Centre website.

The state government has committed $180 million towards the project, supported by a $430 million contribution from Walker. These commitments will be enhanced by the $330 million expansion of the Adelaide Casino by SKYCITY Adelaide Pty Ltd.

Targeting the separation of vehicle and pedestrian movements and remaining sensitive to the existing culture and heritage of the location, the new plaza will be the centrepiece of a revitalised arts, cultural and leisure space embracing the Riverbank at the heart of our vibrant city.

In May 2016, plans for the redevelopment of the Adelaide Festival Plaza public realm were granted development plan consent (subject to conditions) by the Minister for Planning. Two agreements key to the commencement of the plaza redevelopment were signed.

The development agreement between the state government and Walker Group Holdings Pty Ltd will result in the construction of an office building, retail area, upgraded car park, new public realm/area and the early works for expansion of the Adelaide Casino.

Working in close partnership with industry specialists and interest groups, the Riverbank Authority developed five ‘place principles’ to ensure the vision for the plaza was reflected in any concept designs for the site.

#1: A compelling destination
Adelaide’s premier entertainment destination and an engaging place that welcomes people from all walks of life.

#2: The heart of the Riverbank
An integrated part of the Adelaide Riverbank, with coordinated places and programs, and clear connections within and beyond the plaza.

#3: Event-ready space
Well serviced with built-in facilities and infrastructure to enable convenient and elegant adaptation for temporary events, festivals and performances of different scales and durations.

#4: Dynamic and evolving place
A place that offers a different experience every time, that celebrates the seasons, and is brought to life by a balance of curated and spontaneous activities.

#5: Distinctive place
Adelaide Festival Plaza will be a memorable and distinctive place that embodies a unique account of the people, cultural life and character of Adelaide, combining relaxed sophistication with creative endeavour.

The promenade along the northern face of the Adelaide Festival Centre will be substantially upgraded to provide wider pathways and improved connections to the theatres. It will incorporate a ‘Walk of Fame’, comprising stars set into the walkway celebrating performers past and present.

The new square will be Adelaide’s best meeting place. It will not only be a popular path for people walking through this part of the city, but a space in which to stop and spend time, either passively by sitting, relaxing, eating lunch and studying or actively, by attending events and functions, playing and dining.

The new square will be used for gatherings and events hosting up to thousands of people and will boast a water feature as well as shaded, leafy alcoves and ‘outdoor rooms’.

Proposed outdoor dining and associated retail activities, along with the provision of free WiFi access across the new square and immediate surrounding areas, will provide a place in which to linger and embrace the Adelaide climate.

The redesign of Station Road will transform this area into a picturesque north-south boulevard connecting the city to the new Adelaide Festival Plaza, Elder Park and ultimately the River Torrens. This primarily pedestrian avenue will also serve as a meeting point featuring landscaping, trees and seating on either side to provide opportunities for people to rest and reflect. Vehicle access will be limited and controlled by the presence of motorised retractable bollards. The improved connectivity of this thoroughfare should encourage greater use, resulting in an area that is both active and safe.

Access to the theatres will be enhanced and visitors will be able to relax in a central garden as they wait for a performance to begin, enjoy a bite to eat from the adjacent café facilities, or experience activities in the new Art Space Plaza. Those who are passing through the area to the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Casino or Elder Park will be able to do so easily via the grand flight of stairs or lifts, providing equitable access for all.

A new pedestrian overpass will provide direct, level access from the Riverbank Footbridge to a new Adelaide Railway Station entry, delivering desired separation of pedestrian and vehicle access. The Adelaide Casino expansion will result in a new arcade linking the promenade to the existing train station entry and featuring an exquisite arched ceiling and retail outlets.

The expansion of the Adelaide Casino will also extend out over Festival Drive with a grand flight of stairs and lift access connecting it to the new Art Space Plaza.

These concept designs were developed by ARM Architecture and landscape architecture consultants Taylor Cullity Lethlean (TCL) in collaboration with the Adelaide Festival Centre’s architectural consultants Hassell.
Design plans and images are indicative only and subject to change. Select/click on images below to view larger versions and image descriptions.

Early works

Per the early works agreement signed by the state government and SKYCITY, construction began in November 2016 and involves the lowering of Festival Drive, which will separate vehicle and pedestrian movements and enable direct, on-foot access between the Riverbank Footbridge and Adelaide Railway Station. It will also include the early foundation work required to support the Adelaide Casino expansion.

In January 2017 works commenced on the northern side of the Adelaide Festival Centre to widen the east-to-west promenade, including the ‘Walk of Fame’, to create a seamless connection between the plaza and King William Street. This improved access on the river side of the centre also supports the creation of the new Festival Centre entry point to enable easier access to performances at the Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre.

In July 2017 the Festival Theatre closed its doors for an upgrade, reopening in December 2017 with refurbished foyer, entry and new café and eatery.

Early works were completed in May  2018, and SKYCITY expansion works have begun.

Car park and public realm works

On site demolition commenced from July 2017 to enable the construction of the car park and the first section of the new public plaza, which is expected to be completed by 2020. The office building and retail spaces are scheduled to be finished by 2022.

The Adelaide Festival Centre car park was closed to facilitate development in December 2016.

Riverbank access during construction

The Riverbank Footbridge will remain open throughout the project, however public access will be restricted and temporary infrastructure will be installed to provide sporting event attendees with access between Adelaide Oval and the Adelaide Railway Station.

Hoarding and signage has been installed to help visitors navigate and keep them safe during construction. To assist you navigating to your Adelaide Riverbank destination download the current map.

Adelaide Railway Station Northern Doors

The Adelaide Railway Station Northern doors will open temporarily during major events on the Adelaide Riverbank (including Adelaide Oval) from December 2017 and continuing in 2018.

The doors will open for all Adelaide Oval AFL games two hours prior to start time.

Since the Adelaide Festival Plaza redevelopment began in December 2016 a lot of work went into preparing the plaza and restricting access for construction with hoarding around the entire 3.9 hectare site.

The time lapse video begins with the demolition and removal of bridges (such as the glass bridge that went between the Adelaide Casino and the Adelaide Festival Centre), clearing of existing roads and relocation of sewer and stormwater mains.

The construction of 342 concrete pilings to form foundations for buildings is completed, as well as grade separation works. In the coming weeks the SKYCITY Adelaide Casino redevelopment will begin to take place.