Public consultation opens for former Adelaide Bus Station site on Franklin St

Public consultation has opened on one of the CBD’s most ambitious new developments, with sustainability at the core of the 1000-person housing pitch.

Artist's impressions of Tapangka - the redevelopment of the former Franklin St bus depot. Picture: Renewal SA

Community consultation has opened on a massive redevelopment of the former Adelaide Bus Station site on Franklin St, which is set to be transformed into a 200 room hotel and build-to-rent towers.

New concept images have been released for the mixed use, multistorey ‘Tapangka on Franklin’, which is set to provide accommodation for about 1000 people.

Thirty-five per cent would be affordable housing.

The development would also include market housing, 5500sq m of offices, civic spaces and 1200sq m of retail area.

The state government’s urban renewal agency Renewal SA, which will lead community engagement on the proposal, settled on its acquisition of the former bus station site from the Adelaide City Council in February.

Drop-in sessions will be held at 28 Leigh St in the CBD on Saturday August 24 and Tuesday August 27, where the public can learn more about the project, see the plans and provide feedback.

A new artist impression of ‘Tapangka on Franklin’, the proposed mixed-use residential development for the former bus depot on Franklin St, in the Adelaide CBD. Picture: Renewal SA

The site will feature build-to-rent housing, a 200+ room hotel, retail and commercial spaces. Picture: Renewal SA

Adelaide-founded global firm Woods Bagot is the architect behind the development, while Melbourne-based sustainability consultant Hip V. Hype has been enlisted to develop the “carbon neutral community precinct” strategy for the 6850sq m site.

Plans also include a generous plaza, $1.2 million has been committed to upgrade existing public spaces of Bowen St and the plaza outside the former Hampshire Hotel.

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

Housing Minister Nick Champion said the development hoped to bring visitors and workers into the precinct and help increase the city’s housing stock through affordable sales and rentals.

“We want this to be a benchmark for sustainable developments in this state,” Mr Champion said.

“We are keen to hear from South Australians about what they think of the draft plans and in particular what elements could be incorporated to activate the public spaces.”

Feedback can be submitted through Renewal SA’s website until September 15.