ADELAIDE REINVENTED For a long time Adelaide was known as a big country town. Not anymore. Reinvigorated thanks to innovative developments big and small, a growing residential population, activated areas and a buzzing gastronomic and small bar scene, Adelaide has a pulse that ignites the city’s residents, workers and visitors young and old. With Adelaide Reinvented, we have gathered a group of passionate Adelaideans, well-known in their respective fields, to write about the new Adelaide, a city of innovation and distinctive culture that is showing a glimpse of its potential. We focus on the infrastructure, the spaces and places, the renaissance of the city as a place to live, how we look at heritage, the future, as well as what’s happening in the world of food and wine. Of course this isn’t the whole story of new Adelaide but a snapshot of the transformation that is underway in our city. Writers include Committee for Adelaide General Manager Matt Clemow, the Planning Institute of Australia’s CEO Kirsty Kelly, Andrew Wallace of the University of South Australia, Taylor Cullity Lethlean’s Damian Schultz and Grieve Gillett Dimitty Andersen Architects’ Elizabeth Little. Welcome to the new Adelaide.
David Knight, Editor Photo: Botanic Bar
CREDITS Editor David Knight
:
Design Director Sabas Renteria
:
National Sales and Marketing Manager Tamrah Petruzzelli
Contributors Andrew Wallace, Elizabeth Little, Kirsty Kelly, Damian Schultz, Matt Clemow
:
:
Photographer Phillip Handforth
CONTENTS
FOOD & WINE
BUILDINGS & INFRASTRUCTURE
CITY LIVING
HERITAGE RETHOUGHT
SPACES & PLACES
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
CONCLUSION
ADELAIDE REINVENTED IS A COLLABORATION WITH RENEWAL SA IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CAPITAL CITY COMMITTEE
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : FOOD & WINE
A FOOD AND WINE DESTINATION WORDS BY DAVID KNIGHT
OD
& WINE
WITH ITS COLLECTION OF SMALL BARS AND
O
F
OD & WINE F O
EXCITING RESTAURANTS, ADELAIDE HAS EMERGED AS A GASTRONOMIC DESTINATION
O
1
D
&
WINE FO
FOOD & WINE
DAVID KNIGHT IS EDITOR OF
THE ADELAIDE
Photos: 1. Africola. 2. Exchange Specialty Coffee.
REVIEW
Right now, Adelaide has myriad
FOR EXCITING, QUALITY FOOD
exhilarating place to eat and drink. The
on Waymouth, as well as other new
places to wine and dine. It is a hotbed
AND DRINKS ON EAST TERRACE
city’s bars and restaurants are bold,
places such as Bistro Dom and Melt
of exciting eateries, from food trucks
AND NORTH TERRACE. IT IS ONE
enticing and push the boundaries.
to create a dining hub, which now
to cafés and from casual restaurants
OF MANY FOOD AND WINE POCKETS
These are exiting times, as ambitious
includes Press’s sister bar Proof.
to fine-dining establishments.
ACROSS
WHICH
chefs cook from their hearts in
Press and Bistro Dom are nationally
Whatever your taste in food or drink,
INCLUDE WAYMOUTH STREET, THE
restaurants they own or love while
acclaimed while George’s was just
Adelaide’s CBD has you covered.
EAST END OF RUNDLE STREET,
bar owners look to introduce elusive
named best European restaurant at
EBENEZER
and exotic drinks and experiences to
the 2015 National Restaurant and
their patrons.
Catering Awards.
THE
CITY,
PLACE/VARDON
In 2014, just before he launched
AVENUE, THE PEEL STREET AND
his restaurant Africola, Duncan
LEIGH STREET PRECINCT, AS
Welgemoed told The Adelaide
WELL AS THAT OLD FAVOURITE
Though Adelaide’s food resurgence
Review that the city would become
GOUGER STREET. THESE POCKETS
is now in full swing, things looked a
a food destination in a few years.
MEAN ADELAIDE’S GASTRONOMIC
little grim a few years ago. A block on
With Africola, the former Bistro Dom
SCENE IS HEALTHIER THAN EVER.
Waymouth Street changed all that.
Head Chef is part of the local food
Press and its chef Andrew Davies
resurgence, as he embraces the
Would Africola have been possible five
emerged with high quality casual dining
food memories of his South African
years ago? Probably not. In the last
and brilliant nose-to-tail options. Press
childhood to create the city’s most
five years Adelaide has emerged as an
joined the lunchtime favourite George’s
exciting dining space with an eclectic, colourful design by co-owner James Brown (Mash Design). Though the dishes are high quality, Africola isn’t fine dining. It’s exuberant dining. It is also unique, not only to Adelaide but to Australia and possibly the world. Africola isn’t the only Adelaide restaurant that shines with a cuisine and experience that can’t be found elsewhere. Jock Zonfrillo’s Orana, which celebrates Australia’s native ingredients in a fine-dining space, is the city’s most prestigious restaurant. ALONG
WITH
ITS
SISTER
ESTABLISHMENTS BOTANIC BAR AND GOLDEN BOY, AFRICOLA FORMS A DESTINATION CORNER
2
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : FOOD & WINE
3
AROUND
THE
TIME
OF
THE
WAYMOUTH BOOM, LEIGH STREET EMERGED AS A PLACE TO EAT, DRINK AND HANG, WITH PLACES SUCH AS WORLD MUSIC BAR CASABLABLA AND THE SMALL BAR UDABERRI, A GAME CHANGER, WHICH COULD BE ARGUED, WAS THE CATALYST FOR THE SMALL BAR RESURGENCE THAT FOLLOWED THANKS TO CHANGES IN THE LIQUOR LICENSING LAWS. When Leigh Street’s neighbouring Peel Street was activated, it created the Leigh/Peel precinct, which is now a world-class bar destination with Clever Little Tailor, Chihuahua, Maybe Mae and others creating a destination for global and local flavours. The precinct’s quality cafés such as Coffee Branch and La Moka join these bars. Then there is Peel St Restaurant. Under the guidance of chef Jordan Theodoros (who returned to the city after the success of the regional delight, Aquacaf in Goolwa), Peel St is an unpretentious, hearty place to experience a mix of Middle Eastern and European flavours, which encourages diners to share. Peel St was recently named Australia’s Hottest Value Restaurant of 2015 by The Weekend Australian, which stated, “We challenge anyone to find a dining experience offering so much Africola, Magill Estate, Orana, Etica,
Gourmet Traveller ’s top South
Street ADL. Zonfrillo’s Indigenous food
Botanic Gardens Restaurant and Fino
Australian pick, Jock Zonfrillo’s Orana,
quest has seen him grace the cover of
The Weekend Australian’s Hot 50
Seppeltsfield. Similarly, five South
has in two short years become one
the global food magazine Fool as well
Restaurant 2015 list proved that
Australian restaurants made Gourmet
of this country’s most talked about
as host the Discovery Channel show
Adelaide’s gastronomic credentials
Traveller’s 2016 Top 100 list: Orana
restaurants, as the former Magill Estate
Nomad Chef.
were noticed on a national stage.
(10th place), Magill Estate (11th),
Head Chef’s dream of utilising native
Seven South Australian eateries
Appellation (54th), Africola (60th)
ingredients has proved a hit at both
Another restaurant receiving national
made the top 50 including Peel St,
and Peel St (81st).
his fine dining Orana and his casual
attention is the Botanic Gardens
bang for such modest buck”.
FOOD & WINE
Photos: 3. Sean’s Kitchen. 4. Rigoni’s Bistro.
showcased to a local audience in the best possible manner. THE
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REEMERGENCE
OF
ADELAIDE’S DINING SCENE NO
While the new pockets emerge across
Place. The Ebenezer and Vardon Avenue
DOUBT ENCOURAGED NATIONAL
the city, Adelaide’s long-running
precinct has now exceeded expectations
AND
HEAVY
dining strip Gouger Street continues
to become one of the city’s most eclectic
HITTERS TO LAUNCH EATERIES
to evolve. It is still full of wonderful
and electrifying dining and drink strips
IN ADELAIDE. ONE OF THE
cheap and cheerful options such
and is home to Hey Jupiter, Sad:Cafe,
WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS FOOD
as Ying Chow, Ky Chow and Star
East End Providore, East End Cellars,
CELEBRITIES, JAMIE OLIVER,
House but includes new places such
Mother Vine and Nano Café.
Restaurant, which under the control
OPENED
IMPRESSIVELY
as the ramen joint Ryo’s and the
of chef Paul Baker uses perhaps the
DESIGNED ADELAIDE OUTLET FOR
fusion restaurant Mexican Society
Duncan Welgemoed said Adelaide
country’s finest garden (the Adelaide
HIS JAMIE’S ITALIAN CHAIN,
of Chinatown.
would become a food destination in
Botanic Garden) as his personal
WHILE THE CASINO LURED HIGHLY
kitchen garden for seasonal delights
REGARDED CHEFS SEAN CONNOLLY
When it comes to global flavours,
taken 12 months for that prediction to
during the day, as well as nights. The
AND NIC WATT TO LAUNCH SEAN’S
Parwana’s sister restaurant Kutchi Deli
ring true. The time is now.
restaurant resurgence means that the
KITCHEN AND MADAME HANOI TO
delivers remarkable Afghan flavours in a
state’s amazing produce is able to be
GREAT SUCCESS.
delightfully colourful space on Ebenezer
INTERNATIONAL
AN
two years’ time a year ago; well it’s only
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : BUILDINGS & INFRASTRUCTURE
ADELAIDE IS CHANGING FOR THE BETTER WORDS BY KIRSTY KELLY
IL
DINGS &
ADELAIDE HAS GOOD BONES.
N
I
FR AS
IT IS A WELL-PLANNED
TRUCTUR
CITY WITH ITS SQUARES AND RING OF PARKLANDS
E
PROVIDING THE FOUNDATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL CITY.
The current iteration of
over the past decade to see
Adelaide’s development is rising
transformational projects approved
from this strong foundation. New
and now built. After a long and
and revitalised buildings and
relatively stagnant period, Adelaide
infrastructure are changing the shape
has picked up the pace. While that
of Adelaide; the way the city functions;
stagnancy may have been lamented
and, who uses the city.
at the time, in retrospect, it enabled Adelaide the breathing space for the
Strong strategic planning and
city to properly plan for the future
positive leadership have combined
and to retain its essential character;
1
BU
IL
DINGS &
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PLANNING
Photos: 1. South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI). 2. Riverbank Footbridge.
something that many other cities
medical precinct will be a major
have lost to the wrecking ball in
catalyst for redevelopment of the
periods of rapid economic growth.
currently under-developed north-
INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA
2
western quarter of the CBD. The THERE ARE SOME KEY PIECES OF
precinct will inject thousands of
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
jobs and visitors into a part of the
THAT ARE PHYSICALLY REFORMING
city that, until now, has largely been
ADELAIDE. THEY HAVE ACTED AS
the domain of students and night-
CATALYSTS FOR CHANGE, NOT
time revellers. Anchored by the iconic
ONLY PHYSICALLY, BUT IN THE
SAHMRI building, the new buildings
PSYCHE OF THE CITY AND ITS
in this precinct are putting their
PEOPLE.
design stamp on Adelaide. Across in the UniSA City West campus, edgy,
Game changing infrastructure
architectural statements punching
such as the extension of the tram
out from the midst of the institutional
network beyond Victoria Square,
campus blancmange, adding some
through the city, and out to the
much needed style into what was
Entertainment Centre. Major iconic
a tired part of town. This quadrant
new developments such as the new
of the city has the opportunity to
The Riverbank Precinct is Adelaide’s
Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH), the
reinvent itself – there are signs it has
other next big thing. It is critical to
South Australian Health and Medical
started, but it is an area to watch for
tie together the expanding Adelaide
Research Institute (SAHMRI), the
investment and revitalisation.
Convention Centre and the hundreds
Adelaide Convention Centre extension
of thousands of visitors it brings each
and Bowden capitalise on the
ADDING
RENEWED
year; the Festival Theatre; the Casino
connection to the tram. While these
ENERGY INJECTION HAS BEEN
redevelopment; and to effectively
been the activation of our small
Adelaide has a new lease of life. Big
locations were already close to train
THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE
connect it all to the station. There is
streets. Connecting from the train
changes have inspired confidence and
services, the accessibility of the tram
ADELAIDE
OVAL
AND
THE
enormous potential for improvement
and tram, the north-south streets
are sparking investment in both large
network connects them to the heart of
RIVERBANK
PRECINCT.
THE
in this precinct, but it will need strong
including Bank, Leigh and Peel have
developments and small projects.
the city. More organic redevelopment
STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT HAS
design and management to balance
been transformed with some of
Adelaideans are seeing their city
has also occurred, with new hotels,
BROUGHT PEOPLE BACK TO THE
the competing demands of public
Adelaide’s best new small bars and
changing and are connecting with
apartments and office developments
HEART OF THE CITY IN DROVES,
use and commercialisation of space.
restaurants. This is spreading to other
it, visiting the city perhaps more
along King William Street in south
WITH LOCALS AND VISITORS
Opening up more River Torrens-facing
nearby streets and further south to
than ever before. There are exciting
Adelaide capitalising on the tramline
FLOCKING TO THE CITY FOR AFL
development presents an exciting
Topham Mall and Waymouth Street,
design challenges to be addressed
connectivity.
GAMES AND OTHER MAJOR EVENTS.
future for Adelaide, and one that can
where the food and wine culture is
if we are to get it right and capitalise
THE OVAL REVAMP HAS SKILFULLY
be extremely successful if it harnesses
booming. This part of the city, once
on the opportunities present, but
Integrated planning for transport
UPDATED AN OLD ADELAIDE ICON
the power of good urban design.
dead after hours apart from the
this city has talented professionals
and land use in Adelaide has set
AND CONNECTED IT BACK TO THE
colour of Hindley Street, is thriving.
in spades. Over the next decade I
the scene for reshaping the city,
CITY ACROSS THE NEW RIVERBANK
It’s not just the large-scale
Changes in policy and liquor licencing,
predict Adelaide is going to be the
with redevelopment leveraging off
FOOTBRIDGE, DIRECTLY LINKING
infrastructure and buildings that
plus the injection of relatively small
city to watch.
the relatively high public transport
INTO THE HISTORIC CENTRAL
are changing the shape of Adelaide
investments in upgrades to the public
connectivity of the city. The tram
STATION.
though. A smaller-scale change
realm have leveraged serious returns
spreading through Adelaide has
for the image for Adelaide.
extension combined with the new
TO
THE
BUILDINGS & INFRASTRUCTURE
KIRSTY KELLY IS
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : CITY LIVING
It was the early 1990s. Looking back, it was most likely at the heart of the State Bank collapse – the worst of times. But I had no idea, no inkling. I was the 10-year-old country-raised kid who was so foreign to – and so frightened of – the city I wouldn’t walk the 60 metres to the corner of Sturt Street to investigate the weird wrought iron tram stop at the end of my line of sight. I had never met anyone who lived
TY
LIVING
in the City Square. I was only in the city because my grandfather and I
I
C
TY
would drive from Murray Bridge to
LIVING C I T
CITY TRANSFORMATION WORDS BY MATT CLEMOW
‘the city’ for his work on Wednesday mornings – and that was only because the Ingham’s factory closer at Strathalbyn had closed. My only recollections of that time that matter are a little café/snack shop a little bit over the road and, due west, there was the tram stop. It was always about 6am so I don’t remember the tram coming often. And I remember the streets were always empty. It was as if no one lived nearby. And then Pop and I would take the delivery and drive back up the freeway home, away from the city. It’s now 2002 – July 2, 2002 in fact – and it’s my first day of work as a cadet journalist at The Advertiser,
THE DECADE-LONG REVITALISATION
on the corner of King William Street
OF WAYMOUTH STREET EMBODIES
and Waymouth Street.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE REST OF THE CITY
I’ve moved from Mount Barker, where I grew up and schooled – just 25 minutes up the Federal Highway – but this genuinely feels like the city. But what kind of city comparatively?
1
Y
LI
VING CI
MATT CLEMOW IS GENERAL MANAGER
Photos: 1. Mellor Street. 2. Peel Street. Photo by Sam Noonan, reproduced with permission of the Office for Design and Architecture, SA (ODASA).
Waymouth Street in 2002 was three
COMMITTEE FOR ADELAIDE
old News Limited buildings, an openair car park and an underdeveloped corner that later became the redeveloped Rendezvous (now Adelaide’s
newspaper staff) had our special
revitalisation, is best explained in
story,
and/or
lunches over the road at Manna Café,
the story of the General Post Office
just next to the Scientology place and
precinct and the building of Tower
down from the bar called Fad that
One – a commercial office building
never made money and eventually
in Waymouth Street.
CITY LIVING
Peppers) Hotel. We (the 700-odd
closed. In 2007, City Central Tower 1 was This was the total level of activity for
opened as South Australia’s first
one of the most prominent corners
five-star Green Star building, with
in Adelaide just 13 years ago. And
chilled beams across its 20 floors and
not one of my colleagues lived in the
a new benchmark for offices.
city – the inner suburbs of Norwood and Parkside were the places to rent
It’s firstly important to note the South
and live.
Australian Government, as part of its renewal energy targets, drove
FROM 2001 TO 2009, THE CBD
a level of lease pre-commitment
POPULATION OF ADELAIDE NEAR
– which funded the building – to
DOUBLED – FROM 12,215 TO
reward its energy ambitions. It’s
20,525 (IT IS NOW ABOUT
also true to note a great number of
23,000) AND THIS INFLUX OF
the development industry fought this
PEOPLE FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED
initiative, labelling it an (expensive)
THE CITY.
environmental frolic.
Since 2009, another 3000 odd people
But what is beyond doubt is this
have moved into the city and the state
inclusion of 31,000 square metres of
is targeting 50,000 by 2024 on the
office space in this dilapidated street
back of successful redevelopments of
changed the economic fortunes of
the Convention Centre and Riverbank,
its surrounds. As they say, people
the acclaimed new Adelaide Oval
go where people are.
development, liquor licencing changes that encourage Melbourne-
So let’s treat Waymouth Street as the
like laneway activation and planning
microcosm for our city. (For players
changes which allow for a higher-
at home, Waymouth Street is the
density of living than the traditional
western street, two-fifths north of
three-storey communities.
the central, mile square, created – on
also much of the government’s State
THIS 100 METRE STRIP OF
PRESS, HAS A SMALLER BROTHER,
sketch paper – by Colonel William
Development department, Ernst and
COMMERCIAL
HAS
MELT, AND ITS OWN PRE-MEAL
Light about 170 years ago.)
Young are next door in the flagship City
SPARKED A HIGHER LEVEL OF
COCKTAIL BAR OUT THE BACK,
Central corner building overlooking
RETAIL
CALLED PROOF.
Waymouth Street is home to ANZ
the Town Hall, and Keith Murdoch
NATIONALLY-RECOGNISED
House, the 20-storey building that
House stands on the other side –
RESTAURANTS NOW CO-EXIST. THE
houses the offices of Deloitte and
housing News Limited’s SA operation.
LARGER OF THE RESTAURANTS,
I contend that Waymouth Street is a perfect, decade-long, case study of this change. In fact, to drill down, I believe
2
ACTIVITY
ACTIVITY.
THREE
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : CITY LIVING
OVER THE DECADE TO 2015, THE OLD CAFES HAVE SLOWLY MADE WAY FOR BETTER FOOD AND BEVERAGE OFFERINGS, NEW PLAYERS, NEW INVESTORS AND NEW TYPES OF THINKING. THE LATEST ADDITION IS JACK GREENS, A NEW YORK-STYLED SALAD AND SOUP BAR TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY LUNCH OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ACCOUNTANTS, AUDITORS AND ANALYSTS BASED OVER THE ROAD. The activity is just now, eight years in, stretching a street behind, a block further west and into the car-park breezeway retail shops that have long been empty and/or of little economic value. I also live in this street. I am fortunate enough to own a 119 square metre apartment that cost less than $500,000 in 2012. It was built as part of a joint Federal and State Government model mixed tenure building. The policy question from all of this is what was the formula. What we do know is that the mild energy policy intervention quickly moved from
3
an expensive, environmental frolic into a game-changing imperative for all socially-minded companies in this
then onto the Entertainment Centre on
space. We also know that the influx of
the city fringe (2010) – allowing more
people had a marked – albeit gradual
people to move through the CBD.
– ongoing impact on all the businesses in the precinct.
My considered view is the undeveloped, near-forgotten, 2002 state of Waymouth
It’s also important to note the light-rail
Street simply created development
tramline was extended north of Victoria
opportunities that, once unlocked,
Square, past the Town Hall corner, to
proved their own potential. The area
first the University of South Australia
itself, once unlocked, created its own
campus on North Terrace (in 2007) and
success. And it continues to do so.
Photos: 3. Waymouth Street. 4. Uno Apartments.
the Local Government Authority and
OUR SOLE AMBITION FOR SOUTH
past the back of new Royal Adelaide
Adelaide City Council, on land held by
AUSTRALIA NEEDS TO BE AS A
Hospital, past the new Adelaide
ratepayers. The project has brought
PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY, WHERE
Oval and back down to Adelaide
more than 200 people into the city,
PEOPLE CAN MAKE LIFE CHOICES
University and the other institutions.
adding to the gradual population
BASED ON WHAT ADELAIDE HAS
The world-famous Adelaide Central
of the city and hopefully attracting
TO OFFER. WE WANT TO CREATE
Market is three small streets from
more movers as they get to see to
THIS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SO
our apartment in the other direction.
the product on offer.
THAT ADELAIDE IS A PLACE
We are within a 10-minute walk to
I’m writing this contribution waiting
OR YOUNG PEOPLE CAN RETURN TO
three squares, and two frontages
for my son to be born – he was due
AFTER THEY HAVE LEFT.
to the Adelaide Park Lands and the
three days ago but is taking his time.
WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN STAY
spaces within. We have a car that we
My little son can do whatever he likes
rarely use, and a scooter that also
I wish the world for him. Of course.
in his life – I hope the 2035 Adelaide
largely sits idle. Short of some mid-
But amongst those things, I wish
we all build is good enough to keep
winter rain, Adelaide is the perfect
that he gets the best times of this
him.
pedestrian city.
city. I hope he gets the life I get to live now, but I also hope he is one of
My wife is a Finn, who studied in
thousands of families making the
the UK and Dublin before living in
same life choices.
Copenhagen and moving to Adelaide. Our apartment life is a perfectly normal European existence, save for under floor heating and a moreconcentrated CBD population. Part of the current population push is best on show in Sturt Street, 40 metres west of where I stood frozen as that 10-year-old, at the highly successful Ergo apartment My family’s day-to-day lived
developments. Two of my best friends
experience is what should be
live there – they have bought their
attracting people to live in the CBD.
first home. Both city workers, one is from Naracoorte, the other from
My office is a few steps shy of 500
Seaview Downs and I think they would
metres from my door. My wife’s
love to raise their kids in the city. They
office is just 800 metres away, on
are part of the change.
the Riverbank where the jogging track provides perfect post work exercise.
Similarly, the Ergo development
She runs past the South Australian
has also involved some level of
Health and Medical Research
intervention – it is a joint venture with
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CITY LIVING
Institute (SAHMRI) and its workers,
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : HERITAGE RETHOUGHT
1
RI
TAGE RE T
O
H
UG HT
INSPIRED BY THE PAST
HERIT
WORDS BY ELIZABETH LITTLE
AG E
THE VALUE OF HERITAGE, LIKE DARRYL KERRIGAN’S HOME IN THE CASTLE, IS ALL ABOUT THE VIBE
The classic Australian film The
KNOWN
DESCRIPTION.
YET
Castle tells the story of the family’s
HERITAGE VALUE IS MORE THAN
home being their castle. To a bank or
THE SUM OF THESE PARTS.
a developer it’s worth a dollar value; to the family, it’s priceless. The
It’s having a wine at your favourite pub,
premise of the story is that a place is
and loving that they still have the old
of different value to different people,
fridges behind the bar.
for different reasons. And that’s what heritage is.
It’s fortunate that Adelaide has
good food, great wine and a human
awesome seats in the Southern Stand
retained a large proportion of
scale that embraces visitors.
where you can see the Hill, and the
It’s the beautiful corner façade of the
its heritage buildings, through a
Piccadilly Cinema, and the light that
combination of planning controls,
scoreboard, and the game all at once. But change is inevitable, isn’t it?
floods the curved stair inside that
and community support for
THE HERITAGE VALUE OF A PLACE
makes you want to go and watch
maintaining buildings and places
That pub that you love gets more
absolutely necessary, but they
IS SOMETHING WE ATTEMPT
Casablanca.
that are meaningful to them. The
comfortable lounges, a new house
bring new life and interest to
contribution of these places to the
band, and the wine list gets updated
places that can otherwise fade in
and more amazing.
our estimation and become less
TO QUANTIFY, DESCRIBE AND CONTAIN, ASCRIBING CRITERIA
It’s going to Adelaide Oval, and sitting
public realm improves the liveability
AND APPLYING THRESHOLDS,
on the Hill under the old scoreboard
of our city, and provides a solid
STRIVING TO CREATE A FINITE,
and Moreton Bay figs.
backdrop for tourism, supported by
These changes might not be
desirable, less valued. The prospect You get tickets to the Oval, but in the
of change and revitalisation might
RE
THO
UGHT
ELIZABETH LITTLE IS AN ARCHITECT
Photos: 1. The Institute Building, State Library of South Australia. 2. Electra House.
AT GRIEVE GILLETT DIMITTY ANDERSEN ARCHITECTS
that we can’t do creative, unusual and
for the legal and judicial profession.
Adelaide General Post Office to this
HERITAGE
innovative things because it’s not
In between stints as a theatre, the
streetscape if handled with skill.
ADELAIDE PROVIDE A BACKDROP
BUILDINGS
IN
appropriate in a heritage context; that
building was used as a dance hall, the
our new buildings and places need to
City Mission headquarters, a horse
The shift in thinking of heritage places
CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AND
be respectful.
bazaar, and a car park.
having to be old and pretty, towards
CHANGING. SOMETIMES THEY
an understanding of places that are
ARE A CANVAS FOR A PLAYFUL
TO A NEW CITYSCAPE THAT IS
They can be all these things. Talented
After government acquisition, the
important in different ways presents
PIECE OF ART – EVER NOTICED
designers, architects and builders
theatre was opened again as a
an exciting future – an example being
THE YELLOW DRIPS FALLING
(working with forward thinking
performance space in the 1990s. It
the former MLC building on Victoria
FROM
planners and approval authorities)
also serves as an exhibition hall, and
Square. This important building was
VENUE ON MORPHETT STREET?
have created momentum in Adelaide
spectacular wedding venue. The focus
extremely technologically advanced
to start taking some steps towards a
in this case on managing heritage
when completed in 1957 and put
So maybe, there’s no real right or
rethinking of our approach.
value lies in protecting important
Adelaide at the forefront of building
wrong approach in managing heritage
fabric – the physical elements, if you
technology and set a benchmark
places and the values we attribute
The graceful brick arches of the
like. The additional uses now found
for new ‘skyscrapers’ in the city. A
to them. There is simply a need to
Western Grandstand at Adelaide Oval
for the building only add layers to the
proposal to gradually restore the now
understand what is of value, and
are a stark, but successful, contrast
story of the place, and allow different
mismatched and damaged glazing
why – and I think most importantly,
to the steel structure soaring above.
groups of people to experience and
to its original ‘jewel like’ appearance
to who? It is, really, all about the vibe.
In understanding why the proposal
enjoy it, in different ways.
will hopefully return the building to a suitable prominence.
by heritage authorities (with what
The impact on rethinking our
is clearly a ‘heavy’ intervention), we
approach to heritage to the
need to understand that the use of
appearance and feel of the city is
the place is one of its key aspects of
probably not immediately evident
significance. The ability to provide
– although the rise of places such
continuing use as a sporting ground,
as Leigh Street, Peel Street, and
combined with retention of some
progressive developments along
specific aspects of the site – the
King William Street are a visible
view over the Hill to the cathedral, for
cue that things are changing. The
instance – provided sufficient grounds
renovation of, and addition to, Electra
to see the transformation of the place
House, the reinvention of the CML
allow an unused or unknown space
into the ground it is today. And the
building into the Mayfair Hotel and
to flourish and evolve into something
scoreboard and grandstand are still
the popular transformation of the
new, interesting; a place people want
heritage listed.
former Westpac banking chamber
to visit and get to know.
into Jamie’s Italian – not to mention On the flipside, insisting on a
the rooftop bar (2KW) with the best
The concept of heritage in Adelaide
particular use for a place can be
view in Adelaide – are individual
has had a bad rap over the years.
challenging. The Queen’s Theatre
pieces in a streetscape, but pieces
We’re accused of stifling development,
in Playhouse Lane was constructed
that start to tell a story of what that
of doing things slowly, afraid to let our
as a theatre, but only managed two
street could eventually be like as a
hair down and let fly with the creative,
years of operation in this guise before
whole. Consider the contribution
the unusual, the innovative. We’re told
becoming a courtroom and offices
planned redevelopment of the
2
FOWLER’S
LIVE
HERITAGE RETHOUGHT
to upgrade the Oval was accepted
THE
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : SPACES & PLACES
ADELAIDE’S CHANGING FACE WORDS BY DAMIAN SCHULTZ
ADELAIDE’S URBAN REALM
AC
ES & PL A
IS EVOLVING AND THE CITY IS NO LONGER A
E
C
S SP
PREDICTABLE EXPERIENCE
ACES &
PL 1
AC
ES
SPACES
DAMIAN SCHULTZ IS A DIRECTOR
Photos: 1. Rundle Mall. 2. Leigh Street.
The increased activity within the city’s streets and laneways highlights
OF TCL
2
the community is embracing a wave of large and small city destinations. Along with ephemeral activities, Adelaide has an evolving suite of event spaces that spring into life at different times of the year. Adelaide’s revival is due, in part, to large revitalising projects resulting from significant investment led by the State Government and Adelaide City Council. These projects have helped reinvigorate the city as they inspire and encourage discourse on design, as well as challenge the sometimesconservative values that our city might have accepted in the past. Executed seen in the last century, these projects now provide the backbone of the city. STATE GOVERNMENT AND ADELAIDE
The first stage of the Victoria Square
Along with the major city projects,
Projects that have started to
CITY COUNCIL. THIS SUCCESSFUL
redevelopment established a flexible
Adelaide’s laneways and streets are
transform the city landscape include:
PROJECT
THE
space in the centre of the city and is
transforming the city experience.
Victoria Square, University upgrades,
ACCESSIBILITY OF OUR CULTURAL
designed to host major events. To
Adelaide is no longer a predictable
North Terrace, Rundle Mall, the
BOULEVARD AND TRIGGERED RE-
date it has provided the stage for
experience, even for more
South Australian Health and Medical
DEVELOPMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY
internationally-renowned events
adventurous locals. The changing
Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide
OF ADELAIDE FRONTAGE AND
including the Tour Down Under,
journey through our key laneways
Oval and the Riverbank Footbridge.
WAR MEMORIAL WALK ADJACENT
Tasting Australia and World Solar
can be a trip of surprise and delight,
Those to come include Adelaide
KINTORE AVENUE. OPPORTUNITIES
Challenge 2015. It also provides a
involving numerous new destinations
Central Market, repurposing of the
EXIST FOR THE NORTH TERRACE
platform for people to comfortably
to explore. The edges along these
old Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) site,
MASTERPLAN TO BE REALISED
sit and watch the city go through its
laneways are providing the stage
completion of the new hospital and
ACROSS THE NEW/OLD RAH AND
day-to-day movements. Future stages
to activate the streets. The building
biomedical precinct, the redeveloped
SAHMRI FRONTAGES. IMPORTANTLY
to reconfigure the roads will encourage
frontages, occupants and street
Riverbank and Festival Plaza precinct.
THIS
THESE
development of the building edges
furnishings spill onto the pavement
SIGNIFICANT BUT CONTRASTING
and the southern garden, including
with a sense of warmth, authenticity
THREE STAGES OF NORTH TERRACE
BUILDING PROJECTS TOGETHER
amenities, and planned works to be
and personality.
HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED SINCE THE
WITH A CONSISTENT URBAN DESIGN
undertaken by Adelaide City Council
MASTERPLAN (WHICH COMMENCED
OUTCOME ALONG THE WHOLE LENGTH
will create fluid links back to the
IN 1999) WAS ENDORSED BY THE
OF NORTH TERRACE.
Central Market.
TRANSFORMED
WILL
TIE
SPACES & PLACES
well, and with a built quality not often
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : SPACES & PLACES
4
Key laneway and street transformation projects include: Bank Street, Leigh Street, Peel Street, Waymouth Street, Franklin Street, Ebenezer Place, Vardon Avenue, Halifax Street and Gilles Street, along with many bespoke businesses offering unique product. The closure of Leigh Street to traffic and reconfiguration of Bank and Peel Streets has reinvigorated this important series of laneways that link back to the Central Market and the Riverbank in the opposite direction. The new approach to street design and place has encouraged empty premises to be occupied and new businesses to be established. Trade now spills into the streets that are filled with people in high spirits enjoying the atmosphere. So what is different? WITH THE REDESIGN OF THE CITY LANDSCAPE, VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE IN THE SPACES AS THEY MOVE, STOP, LISTEN AND WATCH. OUR STREETS ARE BECOMING MORE INTERACTIVE AND ALLOW FOR SOCIAL INCLUSION. Art on blank walls and streets, a revival of artistic shop front/window displays, and building frontages with personality to tell a story of what is going on inside, all add to an interesting street character. Multiple artworks can be found on walls, road surfaces and building entries in the East End and within Bank Street, Leigh Street and Topham Mall, such as the large mural that greets when you visit Lady Burra Brewhouse, Bar and Kitchen on Topham Mall. Materials that clad buildings and furnish 3
the street are becoming more authentic, with warmth and character, and the
Photos: 3. Bank Street. 4. Vardon Avenue.
owners of these establishments are personable and passionate about what they do. Footpaths and car parks are being taken over by people, due to more generous widths, additional planting and parklets that provide rest points to stop and pause. These rest points are being scaled for human use as intimate places for conversation, while also providing much needed comfort from the natural elements. Traditionally defined edges such as kerbs separating cars, bike paths and pedestrians are being challenged to be more inclusive in the street fabric. Parklets in Bank Street conceal the road edge, extend the footpath and provide numerous forms of seating and access points under shady trees.
between the sea and the sandy beach, the friction of the ‘street boundary’ is our opportunity to provide the much-needed energy to revitalise the streets. This all actively contributes to the personality of the city with invigorated shop fronts. Great progress has been made to create an inviting laneways network with staged work set to continue. BIGGER CITY PROJECTS, URBAN DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARE NATURAL CATALYSTS ENABLING CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF LANEWAYS, STREET FRONTAGES AND BUILDINGS. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL REVOLUTION CHANGING THE FACE OF ADELAIDE.
SPACES & PLACES
Like the ever-changing foam edge
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
A CITY OF OPPORTUNITY WORDS BY ANDREW WALLACE
TU
RE POSSI
ADELAIDE HAS REDISCOVERED
LI
BI
TI
ITSELF AND THE WORLD IS
ES FUTURE
DISCOVERING ADELAIDE, BUT THERE IS MORE TO COME
PO
1
As an interior designer, my
At the same time we curiously sought
preoccupation with cities lies in
to abandon our city with businesses
how people use and occupy the built
lured to the inner suburban fringes
environment rather than solely its
of Greenhill and Fullarton Roads
structural form or technological
while simultaneously increasing the
infrastructure. So, in considering the
density through a number of tallish
future of our city, I began to consider
but stubby edifices on King William
how people have changed the way
and Grenfell Streets. Retail seemed
they use our city and importantly
to lose its sparkle and the city (like
what change is to come. In the mid-
many other city centres) had lost
are beginning again to appreciate the
80s, we saw the revitalisation of the
much of its uniqueness and parts of
natural assets of being a small city.
East End of the city as it transitioned
the community just stopped ‘going
Adelaide has rediscovered itself and
from a wholesale fruit and vegetable
to town’.
the world is discovering Adelaide.
new dining precinct somewhat devoid
Now, there is a city resurgence. In
In thinking about the future, it is very
of artists. Our city attracted new
the cultural and commercial centre
tempting to focus on technologies.
events and we used the streets in
of our state we are rediscovering our
For example, innovations such as
different ways.
pride. We look less to other places and
driverless cars excite for the potential
market precinct full of artists to a
SS
IBILITIE
Photos: 1 & 2. New Royal Adelaide Hospital.
to improve road safety and fuel
ANDREW WALLACE IS PROGRAM DIRECTOR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE, SCHOOL OF ART, ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
2
efficiency and open new economic opportunities. What is the point of travelling to town in your car if there is no reason to go to the city in the first place? This brings me to the central point of what I think the future of our city is about, and that is opportunity. Let’s look at a number of areas where this opportunity is emerging. THE RELOCATION OF THE ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL BRINGS OPPORTUNITY TO A SPACE IN THE WEST OF THE CITY. (IT MAY BE PARKLAND IN THEORY BUT IN FACT IT WAS A RAIL YARD). THE STRATEGIC LOCATION OF A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH FACILITY (AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS FROM
yet in the future if, like North Terrace
TWO UNIVERSITIES FOR MEDICAL
you consider the whole, you again
RESEARCH
start to see something different.
AND
FACILITIES)
TEACHING
CREATES
NEW
With the significant expansion of
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WEST END.
the University of South Australia’s City West campus coupled with the and Government House at the centre,
aforementioned developments on
for a new generation of health care
the ‘wellbeing’/education precinct
North Terrace, the West End of this
professionals but cater for us all
to West Terrace and the cultural/
axis stands to be a much busier
in terms of new innovations both
education precinct to East Terrace.
place. Opportunity again will exist
technical and cultural. Further,
North Terrace will be a place where
here for people to live in larger
the vacated hospital site provides
opportunity exists for education/
numbers in this part of the city both
opportunity for new civic and
culture and wellbeing over the entire
through new student accommodation
commercial activity in the east,
width of the city.
developments and permanent
building on its highly successful
residents. Further, if the visions
transition from market precinct
Moving one street south to the
for expanding the existing cultural
to a thriving retail and hospitality
Rundle Street/Rundle Mall/Hindley
cluster of UniSA/Adelaide College
destination. Standing back from each
Street axis (the major retail and
of the Arts/JamFactory/Australian
of these individual developments we
hospitality spine of the city). We see
can start to see the future of North
these three places in isolation and
Terrace in totality; Parliament House
often in competition with each other
FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
These opportunities are not only
ADELAIDE REINVENTED : 2015/2016 : FUTURE POSSIBILITIES
Photos: 3. North Terrace. 4. RIverbank Precinct.
The central section of Hindley Street
the positive qualities of ‘slow’ and
is currently moving through a period
build a food and wine culture that is
of change. With the street’s new
based on our terroir.
hotel developments, the improved access to Adelaide Oval, a return of
THE CITY BEING SO INTIMATELY
commercial cinemas and a redress
CONNECTED TO FOOD PRODUCTION
of liquor licensing legislation, this
REGIONS AND PEOPLE – AND THE
will bring significant opportunity for a
CITY BEING SO CONNECTED TO THE
reawakening of daytime commerce and
NATION AND WORLD VIA AN EASY
a broader, richer and safer early evening
TO NAVIGATE AIRPORT – ADELAIDE
and night time economy. Like North
WILL BE A FOOD AND WINE CITY,
Terrace, the Hindley/Rundle axis in the
NOT A CITY WITH A COUPLE OF
future will be a vital commercial and
FOOD AND WINE STRIPS.
cultural corridor with a rich collection of complementary and overlapping uses.
The ready connections we take for granted in Adelaide need to be further
Importantly, this activity will stretch from
developed; the city is not an island and
West Terrace to East Terrace. The future
will remain the centre of our greater
of the city lies in the whole city being a
city and state in the future. The future
place of opportunity rather than pockets
Adelaide will be better connected via
of activity interspersed between areas of
excellent public transport (hopefully
apparent dullness. Our city streets are
trams) around the city and to the
interdependent and connected, for the
suburbs. Importantly, Adelaide
city to be a place where people look to
will be a place for all ages, young
live, work and visit this interdependency
entrepreneurs and empty nesters
and complexity needs to be recognised
looking for a more cosmopolitan
and nurtured. In the future, I trust we
lifestyle are already coming here, but
stop looking at our city as a collection of
families will also live here accessing
‘main streets’ that sit in competition with
the proposed new schools. Adelaide
suburban commercial strips or shopping
will again become a place that’s great
centres but rather a three-dimensional,
for children, teenagers, young adults
intertwined and varied assemblage of
and older people.
experiences that co-exist within the green ring of the Adelaide Park Lands. Experimental Art Foundation/Nexus/
3
In the future, not only will South Australians seek to live and work,
Media Resource Centre into a larger
The city will certainly be denser
learn and have fun in the city, but
entity anchored with a large new
but will never lose its human scale;
also increased numbers will visit a
performance space are realised,
Adelaide can demonstrate that small
city that has grown into a compelling
then the West End will develop into
is genuinely beautiful if it chooses to.
destination from North to South and
another important cultural hub in the
This is a city that can demonstrate
East to West Terraces.
city to complement North Terrace and
the value of quality over quantity
the Festival Centre.
particularly in design. It will embrace
4
CONCLUSION Adelaide has always been charming, relaxed and beautiful – a boutique city that was one of this country’s best-kept secrets. Now, Adelaide has embraced and strengthened its charms with a pulse that beats throughout the city. And the world has noticed.
counterparts for inspiration but looking
for locals and visitors thanks to the
The establishment of the Health and
confidence of entrepreneurs to start
within. With our Adelaide Park Lands,
freeing up of outdoor dining, taking
Biomedical Precinct on North Terrace,
up and carry out business in our city,
multitude of engaging festivals, a
advantage of the city’s great climate.
is set to be the largest precinct of its
a place that is thriving on innovation
kind in the southern hemisphere and
and a point of difference.
flourishing multicultural heritage, IN 2015, ADELAIDE WAS THE ONLY
access to brilliant produce and with
Adelaide hasn’t had a rush of
will activate the city’s north-western
AUSTRALIAN CITY LISTED IN THE
world-class wine regions and scenic
developments like some other
corner. This positions Adelaide to be a
In myriad ways many have contributed
NEW YORK TIMES’ 52 PLACES TO
landscapes at our doorstep, we know
Australian cities where character
leader in health training, research and
to the city’s reinvention including
GO WHILE LONELY PLANET RANKED
what makes the city tick and we aren’t
has been lost; rather Adelaide’s
clinical services; and the precinct’s
entrepreneurs, universities, community
ADELAIDE NUMBER NINE IN ITS
afraid to showcase it to the world.
development has been undertaken with
strong commercialisation focus opens
and governments.
purpose. This is to our advantage. The
the door to new investment and job opportunities.
TOP DESTINATIONS FOR 2014. ADELAIDE CONSISTENTLY APPEARS
Adelaide is becoming a well-
city is growing and being revitalised in
IN THE TOP 10 OF THE WORLD’S
connected and cosmopolitan city
innovative ways, which means its allure
MOST LIVEABLE CITY LIST AND WAS
with beautiful buildings new and
won’t be lost now or in the future. We are
With new boutique and exclusive
commercial life; a city where everyone
RANKED NUMBER FIVE IN 2015.
old, intriguing laneways and spaces
paving the way for better and affordable
hotels and residential developments
can comfortably visit and explore, live,
that invite people to explore and
city living that offers a quality of life that
on the horizon, there will be a buzz
work and invest. Crucially, Adelaide is a
Importantly, Adelaide is a favoured
play. Then there are the restaurants
is second-to-none. We are admiring
that continues to charge the city as
city that will excite and inspire.
destination because the city is
and bars that are truly world-class,
our city as it grows and matures as a
more people come to live and stay.
not looking to its eastern state
many of which are now more attractive
destination that is uniquely Adelaide.
There is a recognised increase in the
Adelaide is the heart of South Australia’s civic, cultural and
CONCLUSION