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Festival Plaza’s public realm launches today kicking off weeks of activities in the heart of the city

The Festival Plaza’s public realm is finally open to the public – the first stage of the $993m redevelopment of the area. See what it looks like behind the barricades.

Festival Plaza flyover

The revamped Festival Plaza’s public realm has officially opened to the public with a special launch event on Friday morning.

A VIP event kicked off a six-week program at the city’s newest entertainment precinct.

Michael Lennon, chair of the Riverbank Entertainment Precinct Advisory Committee, welcomed the sea of guests to what he said would be “the ideal meeting place for friends and families before seeing a show or a footy game or a concert”.

The Festival Plaza’s public area is now open. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe
The Festival Plaza’s public area is now open. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe
Michael Lennon, chair of the Riverbank Entertainment Precinct Advisory Committee, speaks at the launch. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe
Michael Lennon, chair of the Riverbank Entertainment Precinct Advisory Committee, speaks at the launch. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“The completion of this larger section of public realm has coincided with the reopening of the refurbished Adelaide Festival Theatre, heralding a new chapter for our city,” he said.

Premier Steven Marshall officially opened the “spectacular” site and said he was excited for the ”endless opportunities” the new plaza would provide South Australians.

“Everybody who exists from bridge to bridge has played their part in making sure that South Australia can get the plaza they deserve,” he said.

The Premier said the project, which has been in discussion since 2014, endured major delays but the result was a location everyone “can enjoy for decades to come”.

“Don’t forget that the Labor Government talked about this project before the 2014 election, it didn’t move very quickly. But by getting everyone around the table, ironing out the problems, providing some money for this public realm activation, South Australia now has something really quite unique.

“This is a big reward for everybody in South Australia, they can be out dancing as of one minute past midnight, they can get themselves down here to the Festival Plaza.

The Festival Plaza public realm is the first stage of the $993 million redevelopment. Picture: Renewal SA
The Festival Plaza public realm is the first stage of the $993 million redevelopment. Picture: Renewal SA

The public realm upgrade is part of the larger $993m Festival Plaza redevelopment, which will be completed over the course of the next four years.

It is the first stage of the public space, which includes a large interactive water feature, refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza and numerous 4.8m-high architecturally designed arbours.

It will host major events on the South Australian calendar and become an arts and leisure destination for visitors.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said previously the redevelopment would finally bring to life a 21-year-old Liberal vision for that area of the Torrens riverbank, which he unveiled in 2000.

“This is a once-in-a-generation development that will breathe new life into one of the most important parts of our city,” he said.

The Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Jack Buckskin and Kuma Kaaru dance group at the launch. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe
The Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Jack Buckskin and Kuma Kaaru dance group at the launch. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Features of the public realm

– Six 11-metre wide arbours that provide shade for visitors and support newly planted bougainvillea and ornamental grape vines that will create a more expansive shade canopy over time

– A 20m water feature with misting and pooling features to create a cooling effect and provide an interactive play space for children

– Trees and lawned spaces

– Newly refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza:

SkyCity represents the perfect backdrop for the recently completed Festival Plaza public realm. Picture: Renewal SA
SkyCity represents the perfect backdrop for the recently completed Festival Plaza public realm. Picture: Renewal SA
The Festival Plaza includes a large interactive water feature, refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza and numerous 4.8m-high architecturally designed arbours. Picture: Renewal SA
The Festival Plaza includes a large interactive water feature, refurbished artworks from the original Hajek Plaza and numerous 4.8m-high architecturally designed arbours. Picture: Renewal SA

What’s on at the plaza this long weekend?

From Friday 11 March, Festival Plaza will offers an exciting free program of live local music, DJs, art, games, street theatre, food and drinks. Kids can head along to play in the water feature and engage with the giant interactive screen. The Goodie Goodie Cafe will be operating during the day and the Arbour Bar by night, with a beautiful view of the Adelaide Riverbank.

The Festival Plaza public realm launch will take place on Friday morning. Picture: Renewal SA
The Festival Plaza public realm launch will take place on Friday morning. Picture: Renewal SA

How to enjoy the buzzing precinct over the next six weeks

– Adelaide Festival Centre are celebrating the reopening of Festival Theatre and Festival Plaza with incredible shows, free live music, roving performances and more up until March 27.

– It will become a playground for pop up performers over March and April weekends. Keep an eye out for circus, theatre, magic and more.

– Every weekend afternoon in March and April, the brand new Festival Plaza becomes a stage showcasing South Australia’s finest musicians.

– Local artist Dave Court and a team of digital creators invite you to become the artwork at Festival Plaza. Simply stand in front of the huge interactive screen and watch as new immersive worlds form around you.

– As the sun sets on the Plaza, a collective of local DJs will play your favourite tunes.

See what’s on at the Festival Plaza here.

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Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/messenger/city/festival-plazas-public-realm-launches-today-kicking-off-weeks-of-activities-in-the-heart-of-the-city/news-story/77934f0363b19dd9c444b6e7505dde94