The South Australian Government has revealed details of Adelaide’s first skyscraper, with a Development Application for the 38-storey 160-metre high Festival Plaza tower expected to be lodged in the coming days.
“This will be an iconic building that will define Adelaide’s skyline,” said SA Premier, Peter Malinauskas.
“This development will be a lynchpin of a reinvigorated Festival Plaza and bring in more than a billion dollars in annual economic activity to the area.”
The Premier said a major drawcard of the new building will be a rooftop bar and restaurant to take in panoramic views of the Riverbank, Adelaide Oval and the Adelaide Hills.
The building will be the largest commercial tower in Adelaide, spanning almost 50,000m2 over 38 levels. It is set to feature 30 levels of office space, an activated podium overlooking Festival Plaza, access to secure parking and end of trip facilities across several levels in the basement.
Once complete, the development is expected to accommodate up to 5,000 office workers and another 100 retail workers in its lower floor restaurants, cafes and bars, generating more than $1 billion in economic activity to the area annually.
A raised outdoor space will be created at the base of the building that will provide a unique and accessible public space with unparalleled views over the reinvigorated Festival Plaza.
A new laneway between the new Building and Parliament House will further activate the plaza with hospitality and retail options, expanding on Adelaide’s existing laneway network.
The design of the second tower will ensure it will be one of the most sustainable office buildings in Australia and will be Adelaide’s largest all electric commercial building, with the largest solar array on a commercial building in the city, said Minister for Urban Development, Nick Champion.
“This proposal delivers a truly unique and modern building with high quality office space to attract some of the biggest employers in the nation to our city,” said Mr Champion.
“Regular Design Reviews between the State Government and Walker Corporation has ensured there will be public space in Festival Plaza and heritage protections that complement Parliament House and the surrounding areas.
“The Code Amendment stipulated strict development guidelines, with the independent State Commission Assessment Panel to have the final say over the Development Application.”
The proposed designs have been subject to extensive consultation with the State Government Architect and regular design reviews throughout the course of the design development, said the Minister.
Early preparatory works have already commenced at the site. The new Walker Corporation development will be constructed by Built, who were also the major construction partner for the 29-storey Festival Tower.
It’s estimated approximately 1,300 construction and associated jobs will be created over the course of the build.
“Walker are proud to announce this milestone lodgement of our Development Application for the second tower at Festival Plaza, the final piece in the transformation of Adelaide’s premier commercial and entertainment precinct,” said Walker Corporation CEO, David Gallant.
“This achievement is the result of many months of dedicated work by our expert consultant team, refining the design to deliver an iconic addition to the city’s skyline.
“Through an extensive 18-month pre-lodgement process with the State Planning Department, and valuable guidance from the State’s Government Architect and SA Heritage, we have ensured that the tower aligns with Adelaide’s planning objectives and architectural aspirations.”
The Festival Plaza Code Amendment, approved in January, provided clear building height and design guidance to ensure the site is maximised. Changes made as a result of the Code Amendment specified a minimum setback of nine metres from Parliament House’s northern façade to preserve its visual integrity, heritage value and to preserve view lines to Parliament House.
The building is expected to be completed in 2027.
