The Rundle Mall Redevelopment Project will commence in January 2013, with detailed design for Stage 1 nearing completion. The Adelaide City Council is spearheading the $30 million development.
As part of the proposed design, the ‘new and improved’ Rundle Mall will feature high quality surfacing, improved lighting, street furniture, entertainment spaces, water treatments and public art. In addition, the current canopy structure will be removed and a stunning new covered entertainment space will be created in Gawler Place.
The much loved Malls Balls and the Pigs will remain as key features within the mall, with a focus on creating openness and panoramic views up and down the length of the mall.
The mood of the mall will be enhanced with a new catenary lighting system which will improve visibility, security and night activation.
Adelaide-based international design firm, HASSELL will be leading the detailed design process, alongside design specialists Arup, RLB, Ian Dryden Industrial Designer, Aquatek, Disability Consultant Services, BB Architects, JamFactory, DIADEM and Adelaide Fringe.
“This is an incredible opportunity to revitalise the public realm of Rundle Mall by designing a place of real quality for people to meet, for them to enjoy the changes to the retail experience and where more regular events can happen,” said HASSELL’s Principal of Urban Design Alun Chapman.
Rundle Mall Management Authority Chairman, Theo Maras said Council and the Authority are aiming to deliver best outcomes for all stakeholders for years to come.
“It’s about adding goods and services that contribute to the overall vibrancy and atmosphere of the Mall, rather than taking them away,” Mr Maras said.
Rundle Mall General Manager Martin Haese notes the trend of malls both nationally and internationally is to open them up as places for the people. “We’re laying down the foundations to create a world class mall that will attract world class retailers and provide a unique point of difference for shoppers, tourists and city workers" said Haese.
Adelaide City Councillor Houssam Abiad, who moved the motion for Council to commit $30 million towards the upgrade of the mall, said “Rundle Mall is the retail heart of South Australia. It will always have a competitive edge over any other regional shopping centre, not only because of its openness, but because it celebrates its heritage, its proximity to the cultural precincts and always will be a community meeting place.”
Councillor Abiad said the new design will be more flexible, and include designated spaces for innovative shorter term retail outlets that surprise and delight shoppers every time they visit the mall.
“This is all about ‘activating’ the mall; making use of the mall at night, and making use of its laneways. It’s about making places for people to enjoy, and essentially engaging retailers to combat online retail and to come up with effective offers so that we can support the retailers in the mall.”
“We want people to know Rundle Mall is going places we never thought it would go, including a whole new approach towards digital media in the public realm” Abiad added.
Business SA Chief Executive Officer Nigel McBride added “The re-development of Rundle Mall will increase the overall vibrancy of the CBD and it will be well complemented by the new legislation to allow public holiday shop trading in the city.”
The detailed designs will be finalised within the next month and will be presented to Council’s City Infrastructure & Public Works Committee on Tuesday July 17 and to full Council on Tuesday July 24..
Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood has praised the development and its commitment to the Rundle Mall Masterplan, saying it will bring about the most significant changes to Rundle Mall since its creation.
“It is a uniquely South Australian response that reflects the atmosphere of the city, day and night, season to season.”
Councillor Abiad added “Retail has changed so much in recent years. It is no longer about just providing consumers with a product – it’s about providing them with an experience. This mall will deliver exactly on that.”
The current Rundle Mall Masterplan can be viewed here
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