03 Jan, 2014

Rundle Mall works to recommence 6 January

Work on the $25 million Rundle Mall redevelopment is set to start up again on 6 January, with construction to begin at Gawler Place moving east towards Pulteney Street until the later part of 2014.

Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA) CEO Ian Darbyshire said it is still business as usual in the Mall, thanking city shoppers, traders, workers and visitors in advance for their patience and cooperation while work gets under way again.

“City of Adelaide and its contractors, along with the RMMA, will be working closely with surrounding businesses to ensure there is as little disruption as possible during the project,” he said.

“It’s an exciting time for our traders, following on the back of a successful Christmas trading period and Boxing Day sales with an increase in retail spending during the past month.

“With the summer festival season upon us – including major events such as the Tour Down Under and Adelaide Fringe as well as the Adelaide Oval redevelopment and AFL coming to the city in March – local businesses can look forward to the positive spin-off effects these opportunities will bring to our local economy this year.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of development applications for Rundle Mall and the surrounding precincts since the Rundle Mall Masterplan was developed in 2011.

“The Coffee Pot has reopened, while new stores including Bakery Girls, Nic and Rocco and Charlesworth Nuts also recently opened, following the opening of the revamped western section of the Mall last year.

“The new masterplan has also attracted international brands including Ted Baker, Apple and Tiffany’s, with Myer recently completing its upgrade, while David Jones has also announced plans for an overhaul this year.

“We’ve also seen new food and drink outlets and expansion of outdoor eateries in popular laneways such as James and Gawler places. The Rundle Mall precinct masterplan extends to surrounding areas such as Grenfell Street, where a new Ibis Hotel is being built and the Mayfair Hotel is also set to be built on the corner of Hindley and King William streets.

“The number of development applications received since the Masterplan was announced has seen a 40 per cent jump from 198 during 2009-11 to 279 (2011-13).”

Hoarding will feature cross-over boardwalks to ensure easy access to both sides of the Mall.

Construction on a new and improved Gawler Place canopy is scheduled to commence next month, with the current canopy anticipated to be removed in late January.

Ian said that as with the first two stages of the project, a large proportion of the works will be to upgrade underground services, including power and water infrastructure, to future-proof the Mall.

“Many of these essential services, such as sewerage pipes and electrical conduits, have been underground for years and were in bad shape either from deterioration, or damage caused by tree roots that had broken out of their plant boxes,” he said.

Stages one and two of the upgrade, between the Gawler Place and King William Road section of the Mall, were completed last November to accommodate the busy Christmas trading period.

STAGE 3: Gawler Place to Lindes Lane – to recommence 6 January

STAGE 4: Lindes Lane to Twin Street

STAGE 5: Twin Street to Pulteney Street

For more information about the project, visit www.rundlemallmasterplan.com.au

MEDIA CONTACT: David Hill 0408 566 305

Editor’s note:
City of Adelaide has allocated $30 million to fund the Rundle Mall Redevelopment Project. This includes a $5 million innovation fund to work with businesses and stakeholders in the precinct to activate laneways and upper stories.

Victoria Loughhead