About the project

Festival Plaza is being transformed into a world-class destination at the heart of the Adelaide Riverbank Entertainment Precinct.

The upgrade is a key part of the broader Riverbank renewal and will support economic growth while creating a vibrant space for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The revitalised Plaza will offer people-focused spaces to explore, relax, shop, dine and connect.

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Project progress and status

Delivered in partnership with SkyCity Adelaide and Walker Corporation, the project represents more than $1 billion in public and private investment, including $213 million from the State Government.

The development includes:

Expansion of SkyCity Casino, completed in 2020
A mixed-use development by Walker Corporation, comprising a car park (completed in 2021) and a 29-storey 6-star Green Star office tower, known as Festival Tower, completed in 2024
State Government-led upgrades to the Adelaide Festival Centre and civic spaces
Award-winning northern entrance to the Adelaide Railway Station.

Plans have evolved to deliver Tower 2, with preparations underway for construction to start in April 2026 on a structure set to become Adelaide’s tallest commercial building at 160 metres and 38 storeys, replacing the previously proposed retail building while preserving views of Parliament House.

Due for completion in early 2029, the tower will accommodate around 5,000 office workers and 100 retail and hospitality staff, generating more than $1 billion in economic activity annually and supporting hundreds of local jobs during construction.

The public realm is also being constructed in stages in alignment with the completion of adjacent developments, and an elevated forecourt is proposed, alongside a new laneway adjoining Parliament House.

The first and largest stage of the revitalised Festival Plaza public realm was completed in March 2022. The expansive new public space features six arbours, a 20m-long water feature, landscaping and refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza.

Once complete, the public realm will encompass the areas surrounding some of Adelaide’s most iconic heritage buildings, including the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Railway Station and the Houses of Parliament.

Other key works have included:

A reimagined Station Road links the CBD with Festival Plaza, Elder Park and the River Torrens.
Stronger integration between Adelaide Railway Station and King William Road.
New northern station entrance offers level access to Riverbank Footbridge, vaulted ceiling, retail and access to SkyCity Casino and Dunstan Playhouse.
Upgraded promenade along Adelaide Festival Centre’s northern face with wider pathways and better theatre access.
Walk of Fame embedded in the walkway celebrates past and present performers.
Enhanced theatre access includes a central garden and nearby dining options for visitors.

Heritage and culture

Dedicated community consultation was undertaken, including with First Nations community bodies and the State Heritage Unit, to help inform the place principles and project outcomes.

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan was developed for the project site in liaison with Kaurna elders on the removal and relocation of the Indigenous public art impacted by construction.

Arts South Australia worked with artists and families to manage the respectful removal and reinstatement of the Kaurna Meyunna, Kaurna Yerta Tampendi by Tony Rosella.

Other refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza that have been installed into the new public space include:

- Vertical Variation by Bert Flugelman

- Sundial by Owen Broughton

- Tetrahedra by Bert Flugelman.