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• Upgrade for Adelaide Festival Centre expected to boost State Economy

Upgrade for Adelaide Festival Centre expected to boost State Economy

The South Australian Government has announced an upgrade of Festival Plaza, including a redevelopment of the Adelaide Festival Centre. The renovation is to include an external upgrade and establish new entries, foyers and an interactive arts playground on the bank of the River Torrens. The South Australian Government has committed $90 million to the Adelaide Festival Centre upgrade.

The redevelopment will also include a new underground car park, a premium office building with access to pedestrian-only Station Road, new cafes, restaurants and retail spaces. The whole precent will be seamlessly link Elder Park and the Riverbank Footbrigde to Adelaide Railway Station and North Terrace.

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier was enthusiastic and positive about the redevelopment. “The private and public investment into the car park, the Plaza and the precinct will ensure the Adelaide Riverbank becomes one of the great public places in Australia,” said Mr Gautier. “The Adelaide Festival Centre will be integrated with the Plaza at the very heart of the precinct, drawing locals and visitors to the area."

Mr Gautier went on to cite Adelaide Oval as an example of how an infrastructure investment can reinvigorate an area and drive growth, pointing out that although the Adelaide Festival Centre already attracts 750,000 patrons a year, the upgrade will further enhance the venue’s ability to contribute to the state economy.

The Government expects the redevelopment to be completed by 2020 and will attract 15.6 million visitors annually.