Hip V. Hype engaged to develop sustainability strategy for bus depot redevelopment

A Melbourne-based sustainability consultant has been drafted in by the state government to help guide the transformation of the former Franklin St bus station.

Artist's impression of Tapangka - a redevelopment of the former Franklin St bus depot. Picture: Supplied by Renewal SA

A Melbourne-based sustainability consultant has been drafted in by the state government to help guide the transformation of the former Franklin Street bus station in the CBD.

Hip V. Hype, which has also completed a string of its own developments across Melbourne, will develop a sustainability strategy for the project with the aim of creating Adelaide’s “first carbon neutral community precinct”.

The strategy will be devised in conjunction with a master plan for the 6850sq m site, which is being developed by Woods Bagot.

The state government’s urban renewal agency Renewal SA settled on its acquisition of the former bus station site from the Adelaide City Council in February.

Known as Tapangka (Kaurna for “the experience of the journey”), the project is expected to feature 392 apartments and more than 200 hotel rooms across two towers, as well more than 5500sq m of offices, civic spaces and 1200sq m of retail area.

A minimum of 35 per cent affordable housing will feature in the development, which will include built-to-rent accommodation operated by an institutional owner.

Artist's impression of Tapangka - a redevelopment of former Franklin St bus depot. Picture: Supplied by Renewal SA

Hip V. Hype founder Liam Wallis said Tapangka was emerging as a “city shaping project”.

“The opportunity to reshape a city doesn’t come along very often and it’s an opportune time in the market cycle to implement such a plan,” he said.

“Hip V. Hype is excited to be working with the state government to help guide the vision, framework and strategy to position this development as the sustainability benchmark for future development in the city of Adelaide.”

The sustainability strategy is expected to be completed by December.

Private developers will be sought to partner with Renewal SA on the development later this year via a national expressions of interest campaign.

Construction is expected to begin following completion of the nearby Market Square development, and is expected to be completed by 2029.

The former bus station site has been largely vacant since 2008. It currently comprises of a car park, electric vehicle chargers and a community space run by Conservation SA known as The Joinery.

Urban Development Minister Nick Champion said the project would generate more than 1300 jobs during construction.

“We will transform the former bus station site from an old bitumen car park into a green and affordable community hub,” he said.

“The new development will lead the way in creating an environmentally sustainable precinct in the heart of the city.”