Adelaide’s Festival Square carpark project zooms ahead as $30m contract awarded to Delta Group

A $30m contract has been awarded to prepare a 1600-space, five-level underground carpark for the Festival plaza upgrade, as the key Riverbank project continues to gather pace — and gets a new name.

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One of the largest earthworks contracts in South Australia’s construction history has been awarded as a key Riverbank project continues to gather pace.

Walker Corporation has handed a $30 million contract to national civil contractor Delta Group for its $500 million development at Festival plaza, which will deliver arts upgrades, a new carpark and office tower as part of the project now known as Festival Square.

A new 1600-space, five-level underground carpark will be the focus of the contract — which has resulted in Delta opening an office and yard in Adelaide off the back of being awarded it.

As part of the contract, Delta will move an estimated 130,000m3 of material from the site in a 14-month program, drilling 15m into the ground.

Walker Corporation Project Manager for the Festival Centre site, Ben Moore and Design Manager Sascha Frost at the Festival Square construction site. Picture Dean Martin

Walker Corporation South Australia Senior Development Manager Ben Moore said this would get the site ready for the construction of the carpark this year.

“We only started work in May of last year when we were formally provided access to the site, so it’s been a very busy work schedule since then,” he said.

“The demolition and excavation process is literally huge, it’s creating an enormous space that is starting to give a sense of the scale of the development.

“In some ways, it’s a pity that the hoardings prevent people from seeing what’s happening. I think they’d be quite impressed.”

The development will create 10,000m2 of public space modelled on international city squares such as Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona and Leicester Square in London.

Walker Corporation Project Manager for the Festival Centre site, Ben Moore and Design Manager Sascha Frost at the Festival Square construction site. Picture Dean Martin

It also includes a 23-storey office tower between the Casino and Parliament House, providing 40,000m2 of premium office space, and a large-scale retail and commercial precinct featuring cafes, restaurants and retail outlets.

Mr Moore said the development was the missing piece of the puzzle that will make the Riverbank “a true destination for locals and tourists alike”.

Also taking place in the precinct is the $330 million expansion by the Adelaide Casino, which includes a 123-room luxury hotel, three bars and three signature restaurants.