[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[rhino]

Who would want a "clear vista" down Rundle Mall?

Another fair question - and one that, in recent times, has been much on my mind ...

[monotonehell]

Who would want a "clear vista" down Rundle Mall?

Another fair question - and one that, in recent times, has been much on my mind ...

I'm pretty sure that that desire was just a side effect of the real reason for opening up the Mall - vehicular access.

[claybro]

Who would want a "clear vista" down Rundle Mall?

Another fair question - and one that, in recent times, has been much on my mind ...

I'm pretty sure that that desire was just a side effect of the real reason for opening up the Mall - vehicular access.

Do you mean just emergency/service vehicles? Or do you think they intend for cars at certain times? Surely not??

[Shahkar]

Do you mean just emergency/service vehicles? Or do you think they intend for cars at certain times? Surely not??

Just emergency/service vehicles.

[Nathan]

Larger service/delivery vehicles have issues with clearance at the moment, and risk clipping awnings. They also battle with pedestrians pre-9am. The centre path helps to alleviate both those issues.

[claybro]

Thanks for the clarification folks. So then what was all the crap about the sightline to the hills? Or was that just something Ms Moran made up?

[crawf]

Thanks for the clarification folks. So then what was all the crap about the sightline to the hills? Or was that just something Ms Moran made up?

Pretty much.

[metro]

So then what was all the crap about the sightline to the hills?

Not sure what that crap is about either, some views of the hills are looking at an open cut mine.

[SRW]

Useful initiative by the council:

Design firm Hassell presents visions for laneways around Rundle Mall
Tim Williams, City Messenger, 22 August 2013

JAMES Place is a bustling evening destination known for its "playful" illuminated signs, enormous artworks hang across Twin St, and Austin St is a thriving student hub.

These are some of the visions for laneways off Rundle Mall presented to a traders' forum last night to entice them to bid for a slice of the City Council's $5 million "innovation fund".

The council will make dollar for dollar contributions of up to $1 million for projects that activate laneways, upper levels of buildings and empty shopfronts in or around the mall, improve the look of the area or help boost the city's evening economy.

Rundle Mall redevelopment project design leader Ben Willsmore, from architect firm Hassell, told the forum each of the laneways needed "a stronger identity".

James Place could become an "iconic night time destination" full of "playful illuminated signage" while pop-up businesses and events could enliven Stephens Place, he said.

Lanes north of the mall would "transition" between the shopping hub and the cultural institutions on North Tce, one idea being billboards in Charles St spruiking SA Museum or Art Gallery exhibitions.

The council's chief executive Peter Smith told the forum the fund would help realise the council's "place making" agenda, creating a variety of memorable experiences for visitors.

He said the council could learn from its staged upgrade of North Tce, which looked attractive and had boosted foot traffic but had not offered people enough things to do.

The innovation fund could drive anything from five large projects to 50 small ones in the mall precinct, he said.

"The fund will drive a variety of works (that) could range from an outdoor cinema down one of the laneways, or a small cafe or bar, to an attractive boardwalk or cobblestone path," he said.

'The door is wide open for the right idea."

Expressions of interest close on September 27.

The council will endorse successful projects in February and they must be completed by mid-2015.

I still think Gawler Place (as a whole) has so much more potential than the council seems to have ambition for it. It should tie the city together from its heart to the river. Austin Street, Twin Street and James Place also have loads of potential and should take the lion's share of funding as there's really only window-dressing that can be done to Stephens Place, Charles Street and Lindes Lane. But anyway, below are the mock-ups from the article.

James Place:



Gawler Place South:



Gawler Place North:



Austin St:



Stephens Place:



Lindes Lane:



Twin St:



Charles St:

[Stubbo]

Good article breaking down the significant works being done under the surface of the new pavers including photos:

http://m.indaily.com.au/news/2013/09/19 ... velopment/

From what I have seen from the bus they are using the same approach to laying the pavers in Victoria square.

[Ben]

Now that the upgrade has been partially opened I'm actually quite angry at the result. 3 different colour pavers and 3 different shape pavers makes this look like a patchwork job which has happened over the last 20 or so years, not a brand new $30m upgrade.

[Nathan]

Now that the upgrade has been partially opened I'm actually quite angry at the result. 3 different colour pavers and 3 different shape pavers makes this look like a patchwork job which has happened over the last 20 or so years, not a brand new $30m upgrade.

Completely disagree, I think the new paving looks fantastic. The only thing that makes me angry is the number of chewing gum stains that have already appeared along the edges which have been open longer. People are arseholes.

[jk1237]

Now that the upgrade has been partially opened I'm actually quite angry at the result. 3 different colour pavers and 3 different shape pavers makes this look like a patchwork job which has happened over the last 20 or so years, not a brand new $30m upgrade.

I disagree. I think it looks stylish and even with just a small part being opened, the mall felt much more upmarket. Its almost liberating, like the end of a world war to have that part of the mall reopened

[monotonehell]

Completely disagree, I think the new paving looks fantastic. The only thing that makes me angry is the number of chewing gum stains that have already appeared along the edges which have been open longer. People are arseholes.

This ^ I haven't seen much beyond the hoarding, but the state of the open parts is horrific already.

[SRW]

Now that the upgrade has been partially opened I'm actually quite angry at the result. 3 different colour pavers and 3 different shape pavers makes this look like a patchwork job which has happened over the last 20 or so years, not a brand new $30m upgrade.

Completely disagree, I think the new paving looks fantastic. The only thing that makes me angry is the number of chewing gum stains that have already appeared along the edges which have been open longer. People are arseholes.

Agreed Nathan. Perhaps it's time to take Singapore's approach to gum...