Three glass towers revealed in new artists impressions of old RAH site innovation hub

New images reveal what the State Government hopes an innovation hub at the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site will look like with three glass towers planned to rise over North Terrace.

New artist’s impressions for the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site. Picture: SA Government

New artist’s impressions show three rectangular buildings towering over the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, as the State Government takes the next step towards building an innovation hub in the city.

The Government will tomorrow launch an expressions of interest process to design the hub, which will be a base for researchers and entrepreneurs.

A basic concept has been produced to help guide companies vying for the contract, but architects will be required to submit their own visions for the hub.

The Federal Government has pledged up to $20 million towards the project, which could cost up to $100 million.

Premier Steven Marshall said the hub would require multiple buildings to ensure 22,500sq m of floor space was crammed into its 3500sq m footprint on the site, now known as Lot Fourteen.

“It’s critical that the hub has an inspiring, cutting-edge and functional design that brings together all levels of government, global industries, entrepreneurs and research institutes,” he said.

“We’re excited to see what designs emerge from this expression of interest process.”

Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Simon Birmingham said the funding, which was part of the Adelaide City Deal, would “transform the Lot Fourteen precinct into a game-changing hub of innovation”.

“That means there will be more jobs for South Australians and more opportunities for our young people so they can stay here, rather than moving to the east coast,” Senator Birmingham said.

“This hub is an investment into the next generation of entrepreneurs, researchers and creators, and I am confident that we will see many innovative projects developed here that will eventually make their way to become commercial products with tangible benefits for SA.”

Under the plans, a communal working space would be housed on the bottom floor of the hub, with commercial offices on its upper floors.

The buildings would be in the heart of the former hospital site, alongside a National Aboriginal Art and Cultures Gallery and a new culinary school.

The 7ha North Tce site will also house the National Space Agency, as announced by the Federal Government last December, as well as the University of Adelaide’s Australian Institute of Machine Learning.

Demolition of non-heritage buildings on Lot Fourteen is expected to be finished by the middle of next year to allow construction to start.

The hub, which Mr Marshall said would have public demonstration areas to “inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs”, is expected to be a base for coders and gamers, as well as space, cyber security and defence pioneers.