Gawler Place in line for $7.8 million transformation into dining, entertainment precinct

THE city’s busiest laneway will be transformed into a bustling late-night dining and entertainment precinct thanks to a $7.8 million upgrade.

An artist’s impression of the Gawler Pl upgrade. This is the Grenfell St entry, looking south.

• Adelaide’s grand plans and how they look now

GAWLER Place, the city’s busiest laneway, will be transformed into a bustling late-night dining and entertainment precinct thanks to a $7.8 million upgrade.

Currently a tired thoroughfare for delivery drivers and pedestrians, new designs show a luscious, spacious laneway linking to the new North Tce tram stop.

With the upgrades set to bring not only a splash of green and a touch of class, there is further opportunities for outdoor dining and Lord Mayor Martin Haese says the area could become a dining precinct over time.

Artist impression of the Gawler Pl upgrade, showing the connection to Rundle Mall.

“I think it’s a very natural conclusion,” he said.

“When you’ve got thousands of people passing through it, and in time, a tram stop adjoining it, and 2800 buses passing by on Grenfell St — entrepreneurs are going to want to stop them, give them a seat and feed them.

“We want to see more of that — people heading down there after work for a bite to eat and Gawler Place could do that.”

Artist impression of the upgrade to the northern part of Gawler Place.

How Gawler Place looks now.

The upgrades it will make Gawler Plance the missing link in the transport corridor of Grenfell Street, the new tram stop on North Terrace, the recently completed ANZAC Memorial Walk on Kintore Avenue, and North Terrace.

The project has been championed by Rundle Mall Management Authority board member and Councillor Natasha Malani, who pushed for the upgrades through Adelaide City Council.

“It is important for Council to invest in upgrading our public spaces for people to enjoy ...

this is a key project as part of the Rundle Mall Master Plan,” Councillor Malani said.

Rundle Mall Management Authority General Manager, Amanda Grocock said the upgrade would provide significant benefits to retailers, businesses and visitors of the Rundle Mall Precinct.

“Council’s investment in this project is to be congratulated and I look forward to being able to welcome people who visit, shop and work in Gawler Place into a more contemporary and user friendly space,” she said.

Construction is planned to start in January 2018 and will take six to eight months to complete.