[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[omada]

I would've thought they would encourage fresh fruit retailers to be in the city (once of the traders who will be moved), adds to the vibrancy and utility of rundle mall it's better than going to coles or woolies. But i'm sure the ACC know what they are doing? right???

[Wayno]

Don't worry guys. The picture from the article can't be an accurate depiction of the finished product because Darrell Lea has been retained.

We'll find out soon if the Rundle Mall stores is retained. They are closing 32 stores australia-wide.

[Maximus]

Don't worry guys. The picture from the article can't be an accurate depiction of the finished product because Darrell Lea has been retained.

We'll find out soon if the Rundle Mall stores is retained. They are closing 32 stores australia-wide.

Looks like the Rundle Mall store is staying...

The administrator this afternoon announced the Tea Tree Plaza store, in Modbury, will cease trading today.

The Rundle Mall and Marion-based outlets will continue trading as usual.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/ ... 6441389131

[HeapsGood]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6545086148

ONE of South Australia's best-known icons is on the move and the man who designed it isn't happy.

The Mall's Balls will be moved 3m sideways as part of the redevelopment of the Rundle Mall in central Adelaide, a decision which has angered Bert Flugelman, the 89-year-old designer of the sculpture.

He told the Sunday Mail from his home in NSW that while he had been consulted about the change, he was powerless to intervene. "Ultimately, there is nothing I can do about that," Mr Flugelman said.

"I don't want to finish up just whingeing from the sidelines, so if it works, I will be very happy"

Mr Flugelman was contacted by the Adelaide City Council in August about moving the sculpture, officially called The Spheres, which has stood in the middle of the Mall since 1977. It will migrate 3m closer to the Regent Arcade side of the Mall as part of a $30 million upgrade of the precinct that begins in February.

In a letter to the council, Mr Flugelman objected, writing: "One of the important considerations on installing The Spheres was their critical relationship to the awnings. By bringing them closer to the side of the Mall, you crowd everything into the one side and thereby destroy the symmetry, which the central sight line demands.

"The all-round symmetry of the two Spheres is a contradiction to any but the central placing."

Mr Flugelman's daughter Kay said her father had given only his reluctant permission for The Spheres to be moved.

"He doesn't want them moved but he is too old to chase it up," she said.

"I am sure if Bert was younger, he would jump up and down the Mall."

Mr Flugelman will turn 90 on January 28.

Ms Flugelman has visited Adelaide to talk to the designers and the council and has taken pictures back to her father to show him where The Spheres would be moved.

Ms Flugelman questioned whether the public knew the Balls were being moved. "Bert wonders what public opinion is and wonders why such an icon is being moved without public consultation," she said.

However, as part of the consultation process, the new position of the sculpture was changed slightly so it would be only 3m from the original site instead of the originally proposed 3.5m.

When contacted by the Sunday Mail, a council spokesman initially said Mr Flugelman had been fully consulted about the move and had agreed it was appropriate given the Mall's redesign.

A further statement from acting council chief executive Neil Brown said "while we have received acceptance from Mr Flugelman and his daughter for the move, we are aware their preference was for the sculpture to remain in its original spot.

"The Mall redevelopment involves moving all permanent structures from 3m either side of the centre line of the Mall," Mr Brown said. Other public art, including the fountain, the pigs and John Dowie's Girl on the Slide will also be moved.

3.5m sideways? Why do I have a bad feeling about this? He is completely right about the symmetry of the design of the current location.... what are your thoughts...

[Wayno]

Merged 'malls balls' thread into rundle mall thread.

HeapsGood, i believe the balls are being moved as a part of the mega-million dollar mall overhaul discussed earlier in this thread. Other items in the centre of the mall, for example fruit/veg stands, are also being moved to the side - if I'm not mistaken.

ACC website reference:
http://www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/deve ... velopment/

[crawf]

I have some concerns about this plan to give the mall a big open feel. Businesses like Buskers, have been full of people lately eating or chilling in a alfresco type scene. The cafe brings life to that part of the mall and it's a great people watching spot.

I also have major doubts about moving the balls and the fountain. The fountain looks great in-front of Adelaide Arcade and it would be very disappointing to see it go.

[Nathan]

But really, is 3m that big of a deal? Surely the balls position in front of the arcades is more important than being in the physical middle of the mall itself. Storm in a teacup and all that.

[HeapsGood]

Thanks Wayno...sorry i looked for OG thread but couldnt find anything....

[monotonehell]

One thing they seem to have overlooked in this plan to try to open the middle of the Mall is that most people walk to the sides closest the shops to escape the Sun. I've noticed this the past few days, people seek the shade. And when it's raining they seek the shelter. Shifting stuff out of the "road" will only help motor traffic navigate the pedestrial mall.

That said, I'm looking forward to the other improvements.

[pushbutton]

What's needed in my humble opinion is new and much nicer pavers, new and much nicer street furniture, 3 hours free parking all around Rundle Mall (with proof of any Rundle Mall purchase), get rid of those embarrassing pig statues and perhaps replace with some nice looking artworks and water-features, nicer looking kiosks and outdoor dining / cafes, better lighting, some sort of transport up and down the length of the mall, and at least 3 major family entertainment attractions.

I know there's absolutely no chance whatsoever of most of this happening, but those are the things that would make me want to visit Rundle Mall a lot more often.

[monotonehell]

What's needed in my humble opinion is new and much nicer pavers, new and much nicer street furniture, 3 hours free parking all around Rundle Mall (with proof of any Rundle Mall purchase), get rid of those embarrassing pig statues and perhaps replace with some nice looking artworks and water-features, nicer looking kiosks and outdoor dining / cafes, better lighting, some sort of transport up and down the length of the mall, and at least 3 major family entertainment attractions.

I know there's absolutely no chance whatsoever of most of this happening, but those are the things that would make me want to visit Rundle Mall a lot more often.

Whether the pig statues are embaresing is a matter of opinion (you're wrong by the way ). Lots of people enjoy them and they are a positive addition to the streetscape.

Accoring to the plan the pavers and street furniture seem to be on the way. As do the other amenities.

Not sure what they are doing about the short term parking, they seem to still be doing "cheap" short term parking not validated included parking. There's transport for the infirm - a golfcart runs the length of the Mall during most shopping hours (I hope this is what you mean, transport for people who can walk would be silly over such a short distance. One end of Westfield Marion to the other is three times as far as one end of the Mall to the other.)

The entertainment options are interesting. What kinds of businesses would you suggest we try to attract to the area? (Remember that a reimagined Regent Cinema is already on the cards.)

[Matt]

Apologies if already posted, but a few interesting tid-bits about lighting, pavers, furniture and finishes for the Mall upgrade.
Looks good.

http://www.rundlemallmasterplan.com/bm. ... 112012.pdf

[Nathan]

Looking at the new document, I'm liking where they're going. The catenary lighting will work well, and the podium seating looks great. My only concern is the removal of the bike racks at either end of the mall (and it looks like from Gawler Place and Charles St as well). I can understand removing them in light of what they want to achieve, but these are *always* well used, so I hope some consideration has been made to increase bike parking elsewhere near the mall rather than just removing them completely.

[Dvious]

Im sure they will have a home somewhere considering the push for cycling in our city. I really like the seating and the top down view they have shown, i think its a great step forward and am looking forward to the changes to be made.

[metro]

I think the guy who recently died should get a statue in the redeveloped mall: