17 Dec, 2019

Gawler Place transformation now complete

The City of Adelaide’s Gawler Place upgrade has now been completed, creating a high-quality, people-focused street connecting to Adelaide’s premier shopping destination, Rundle Mall.

Wider footpaths and new paved surfaces create a low-speed shared use environment for pedestrians, vehicles and bicycles. Improved lighting, an innovative shade structure in Gawler Place north, and large trees and understorey plants ensure Gawler Place is an attractive, cool, shady and inviting place. New outdoor dining areas have transformed Gawler Place into an attractive destination for shoppers and workers.

Public Art has been included in the upgrade to help transform the street into a space that draws people in to stop, to connect, and to discover. Two innovative, bold and colourful art experiences have been installed, with a third to be installed next year to act as meeting points, to tell stories, surprise, delight and inspire. Lord Mayor of Adelaide Sandy Verschoor said that she was thrilled to see the upgrade completed.

“Gawler Place is one of the city’s busiest streets, with more than 16,000 people using the southern section and more than 9,500 using the northern section each day,” said the Lord Mayor.

“It is a key link connecting city workers, students, visitors, tourists, and businesses to Rundle Mall, North Terrace, the ANZAC Memorial Walk, the Riverbank, car parks and public transport and to the cultural and university precinct of North Terrace.

“It is a street that is vital to the success of our premier retail strip and the upgrade will support and encourage business growth and investment by providing high quality spaces for retail, shopping and outdoor dining.

“The Gawler Place upgrade has created an attractive and welcoming pedestrian-friendly area where people will shop, visit and spend time in a city that is designed for life.”

Rundle Mall Management Authority General Manager Johanna Williams said that the revitalised street would support retail activity in Rundle Mall.

“The retail sector is ever-changing and providing enjoyable experiences both in and out of store is key to attracting visitors and encouraging them to stay,” she said.

“In Rundle Mall, that requires a commitment to invest from both public and private sectors, witnessed most recently with the $40 million upgrade of Rundle Mall Plaza resulting in international fast-fashion brand H&M becoming anchor tenant.

“As one of the city’s most significant links, an upgraded Gawler Place now becomes a place in itself, complementing private investment and further improving the customer experience. Economic assessments anticipate the upgrade will support improved retail trading and business and employment opportunities.”

Vehicle access, on-street accessible parking and loading spaces for deliveries to the street and Rundle Mall have been maintained.

Ms Williams said those taking advantage of extended trading hours in the leadup to Christmas, including midnight trading this Thursday, Friday and Monday, would be among the first to enjoy the upgraded Gawler Place.

The design can be viewed at cityofadelaide.com.au/gawler-place

Paula Stevens