Festival Plaza
The transformation of Festival Plaza into a world-class destination and the heart of the Adelaide Riverbank precinct is well underway.
About Festival Plaza
The upgrade of 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.
In 2015, Renewal SA embraced on an opportunity to leverage other development happening in and around the Adelaide Riverbank by developing a proposal with Walker Group Pty Ltd for the integrated redevelopment of the Festival Plaza site.
At the heart of this redevelopment is the new Festival Plaza public realm – a high quality open space for gatherings and events, destined to become one of Adelaide’s premier destinations.
The biggest stage of the public realm has now been completed, with 8,000sqm of revitalised public space creating a welcoming environment and a vibrant connection between the CBD and the Riverbank.
With more to be delivered in additional stages of this transformational project, Festival Plaza is already showcasing its value as the centrepiece of a revitalised arts, cultural and leisure space while enabling South Australians and visitors alike to embrace the Riverbank in the heart of Adelaide.
Project Facts
The Festival Plaza public realm upgrade is an integral part of the larger Festival Plaza redevelopment. Undertaken by the State Government in partnership with SkyCity Adelaide and Walker Corporation, the project represents $1 billion in public and private investment, including $213 million from the State Government.
The biggest stage of the revitalised Festival Plaza public realm was completed in March 2022. The expansive new public space features six arbours which, over time, will create an inviting shade canopy, while a 20m-long water feature, establishing trees and lawns and refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza all add to the vibrancy of the space.
Festival Plaza will become a destination of choice with its capacity and capability to hold events in the space in the future, adding to the strength of Adelaide’s entertainment and event economy.
Further stages of the Festival Plaza public realm upgrade will provide an additional 7,900sqm of renewed open space (totalling 16,500sqm) with ten more arbours.
Once complete, public space will have been established in the areas surrounding some of Adelaide’s most iconic heritage buildings including the Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Railway Station and the Houses of Parliament.
The full Festival Plaza redevelopment will be completed in 2025 and will include a completely redesigned Station Road as well as Walker Corporation’s new three-storey retail complex and a 29-storey, 5 Star Green Star office building known as Festival Tower. This will be accompanied by food and beverage outlets in and around the waterfront.
Other already completed elements include Walker’s five-level underground car park, SkyCity Adelaide’s casino expansion and a new northern entrance to the Adelaide Railway Station.
Approximately 785 construction jobs per year have been created since the project commenced. This is in addition to the $300million SkyCity expansion, which created 1,000 construction jobs and 800 ongoing jobs.
Plaza vision
The upgraded Festival Plaza will become a unique, world-class hub for the arts, culture, tourism and entertainment.
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.
Designed to connect
A reimagined Station Road, new Adelaide Railway Station entry and stronger integration with King William Street now connects the Adelaide Riverbank to the CBD better than ever before.
The promenade along the northern face of the Adelaide Festival Centre has been substantially upgraded to provide wider pathways and improved connections to the theatres. It incorporates a ‘Walk of Fame’, comprising stars set into the walkway celebrating performers past and present.
The new plaza 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 will also be a place to linger and spend time, whether enjoying lunch in the fresh air or catching up with friends at an event.
The redesign of Station Road will transform this area into a picturesque north-south boulevard connecting the city to the new Festival Plaza, Elder Park and the River Torrens.
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.
A new pedestrian overpass provides direct, level access from the Riverbank Footbridge to the Adelaide Railway Station entry. The Adelaide Casino expansion has resulted in a new arcade linking the promenade to the existing train station entry and features an exquisite arched ceiling and retail outlets.
Cultural and artistic considerations
Dedicated consultation was undertaken with Indigenous community bodies and the State Heritage Unit, with both informing the formal development assessment process. Initial consultation with the Kaurna and Ramindjeri groups was also undertaken.
An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan was developed for the project site with liaison with Kaurna elders on the sensitive removal and relocation of the Indigenous public art impacted by construction.
Arts South Australia was engaged to work with the artists and their families to respectfully manage the removal and/or reinstatement of all pieces.
The refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza have been installed into the new public space:
- Vertical Variation by Bert Flugelman
- Kaurna Meyunna, Kaurna Yerta Tampendi by Tony Rosella
- Sundial by Owen Broughton
- Tetrahedra by Bert Flugelman
Project progress
The Adelaide Festival Plaza redevelopment began in December 2016.
This progress video highlights another significant project milestone being met with the opening of a new architectural walkway, as we work towards the transformation of Festival Plaza into a world-class destination.
This walkway known as ‘Station Entrance’ was designed by ARM Architecture and connects the Adelaide Railway Station to the Riverbank. It features an impressive vaulted ceiling, arched shopfronts, as well as entrances into the redeveloped SkyCity Casino and Dunstan Playhouse.
The following update video shows the redevelopment of Festival Plaza, including the completion of the first stage of public realm works in March 2022.
Watch other progress videos of the redevelopment on Vimeo.
Festival Plaza officially reopened to the public in March 2022. Visit Festival Plaza Presents to stay up-to-date on all that’s happening