[COM] Victoria Square Upgrade - $24m

[Shahkar]

I don't think that's a new tree. If you look closely at the photos from March 22, it is there.

Yeah...how have I not noticed it before

[Matt]

Did seem strange that they were planting trees before excavating the sunken lawn...

[The Scooter Guy]

The pedestrian crossing in the very middle of the square has been removed. BTW, remember when the poles & signals in the CBD used to have a colour of 'olive drab'?

[AG]

The pedestrian crossing in the very middle of the square has been removed. BTW, remember when the poles & signals in the CBD used to have a colour of 'olive drab'?

There's still a lot of traffic poles around with that colour, although nowadays chocolate brown seems to be all the rage!

[mattblack]

Fountain being dismantled this morning

[AdelaideAlive]

scaled back even more now

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/permanent ... 6646917548

[build 'em smarter]

I think that the beloved food trucks are not the right idea to replace a brick and mortar cafe. people need to know there is always a coffee/dining option there to draw them in, not go in the hope that someone will be there selling food. also kind of defeats the purpose of the food trucks if they are given a fixed berth doesn't it... they may be nice but they are not the golden solution for everything. would prefer a fixed cafe myself.

[Nathan]

I don't think "scaled back" is the right term. It looks more like they've just been bumped from the first stage, to re-appear during the subsequent stages. Just like how the central plaza was brought forward.

[AdelaideAlive]

I don't think "scaled back" is the right term. It looks more like they've just been bumped from the first stage, to re-appear during the subsequent stages. Just like how the central plaza was brought forward.

got a feeling this square will be half finished only for quite a few years to come, seems to be the norm in Adelaide half a job is better than nothing lol

[Norman]

Pic from today

[Patrick_27]

scaled back even more now

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/permanent ... 6646917548

IMO, place two of the disused H-Class trams on the square (wheels and axles removed), refurbish them, and convert them into a bar/cafe and a pie stand like they once had outside the post office and railway station. Would still cost $$ but a considerable amount less, and you'd add some character to the development.

[Matt]

Don't mind the idea of food vans for the Square rather than the permanent cafes?

Vic Square could become a hub for these vans and give people a reason to visit. I'd be more inclined to pop down, say, on a lunch break and see what's about rather than if I knew it was the same-old Vic Square Funk outlet for example.

The fact that the vans would be changing and evolving would help to keep things interesting, IMO.

[rhino]

I would love to see the pie cart return to Victoria square.

[JamesXander]

Another example of bizarre construction costs. $3m for two cafes??? You could quite literally build 2 three storey Scott Salisbury homes for that much. Yet we are talking about two small cafes in the heart of the city.

How the hell does it cost $3m???

[Vee]

I would love to see the pie cart return to Victoria square.

Some good ideas here, including the changing Food Trucks rather than another blancmange café.

I really like rhino's suggestion of the return of the evening/late night pie cart and, with it, the lure of the tourist icon - the pie floater. Times and tastes change but this could make a comeback (with a few variations in menu for less adventurous tastes). It would need an undercover area nearby for all weather appeal.

A pie cart could add to the character of the city, connect to the heritage and extend the newer iteration of mobile vendors/food trucks. It would help to fill a gap in the 24/7 cycle, providing affordable options for people who go/stay out late, visitors, shiftworkers, taxi drivers etc.

The pie cart/pie floater unique 'experience' was a surprisingly well known attraction for visitors to our city. The revamp of Victoria Square provides the opportunity to re-activate the space but could the pie cart add a bit of flavour to the mix?