CULTURAL SPACES: How Adelaide is boosting its cultural offering and tourism with a $400 million expansion of an iconic market
PROJECT: Creating a new market square and developing Central Market to reinvigorate the heritage, cultural and culinary heart of the city
Case study
In December 2019, the City of Adelaide announced a $400 million transformative redevelopment of Adelaide Central Market and creation of Market Square, a new public space designed to celebrate community, creativity and commerce. The redevelopment is projected to generate an overall boost of $135 million to the South Australian economy.
A joint venture between the City of Adelaide and ICD Property, the redevelopment will incorporate retail, an all-electric commercial office tower, on-site childcare, new residences, a premium hotel and public spaces including a 3,000m2 public rooftop; a new north-south Laneway supporting the nighttime economy offering outdoor dining; urban culture and public art; and an East-west link connection between Victoria Square and the Adelaide Central Market.
Preserving the character of the iconic Adelaide Central Market
The Adelaide Central Market has been a beloved cultural and culinary landmark since 1869. With over 70 traders offering fresh produce and delights, it is one of the largest undercover markets in the Southern Hemisphere – a place where locals and visitors come to experience the flavours of South Australia.
The expansion is set to double the size of the existing market footprint and increase the total tenancies across nearly 7,000 square metres of retail space.
The main challenges for the redevelopment – which will create 1,000+ new jobs during construction – include preserving the character of the iconic Adelaide Central Market and managing the disruption for existing traders and consumers during construction. The redevelopment will be a flagship mixed-use project of significance and elevate the precinct as a major destination embracing culture, art, retail, and tourism.
Developing a new public square for cultural community events
The market expansion will also incorporate the activation of a new public space – Market Square – to create a place that is vibrant and welcoming through events, cultural celebrations, public art, strong community connections and be a catalyst to enrich the city.
Market Square will promote the district as the premier precinct showcasing the very best of South Australian food, wine and produce and creating a new social and commercial hub for the city. It’s set to attract more than an additional one million people per annum to the market district, resulting in a projected 10 million visitors to the market district each year.
Adelaide’s Market Square development recognises the city’s culinary heritage space and reinvigorates it to expand the capital of South Australia’s cultural offer.