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 PlazaProject FactsPlaza visionDesigned to connectCultural and artistic considerationsProject progress

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

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.

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.

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 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

 

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