[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[Mants]

I heard Theo Maras interviewed on the radio yesterday morning, and he insisted that there needs to be more and cheaper carparks near the mall to bring people into the city. He put this ahead of what actually went into the mall. Made me wonder about his head.

this is fair enough.
suppose you're a young family with two kids, you may be more inclined to choose shopping at a suburban centre rather than the city due to easy access to free/cheap parking.
norwood has adopted a "first 2 hours free" carparking system, deterring workers, yet enticing shoppers.
it works, norwood is always bustling.

[rhino]

Anyone who thinks the mall is dying should have been there at lunchtime today - it was buzzing, there were so many people there.

[iTouch]

anyone who thinks the mall is dying should go there on a Saturday, Friday, Thursday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday and Sunday. It's fairly alive on those days

[ginger-geordie]

how about a building a big cinema like the one at Marion? Newcastle has the gate, which has lots of bars and restaurants then a large cinema on the top floor. and its always full of people, especially in the evening. surely that would bring people to Rundle mall?

[iTouch]

I got a question, is Sensational-Adelaide a pressure or lobby group?

[AtD]

I got a question, is Sensational-Adelaide a pressure or lobby group?

No.

[monotonehell]

I heard Theo Maras interviewed on the radio yesterday morning, and he insisted that there needs to be more and cheaper carparks near the mall to bring people into the city. He put this ahead of what actually went into the mall. Made me wonder about his head.

And then you have Marion and WestLakes who want to start charging for parking. I know the ACC though the UParks have set up things like 2 hours free / validated parking / free Sundays / etc and all the UParks in the vicinity of the Mall have a rates structure that is dirt cheap for the first 3 hours and then penalises long term casual parkers (but then some ironically have early bird deals).

how about a building a big cinema like the one at Marion? Newcastle has the gate, which has lots of bars and restaurants then a large cinema on the top floor. and its always full of people, especially in the evening. surely that would bring people to Rundle mall?

There's a 10 screen cinema complex in Rundle Street that does quite well, but for some reason all the other cinemas in Adelaide have shut shop. Hindley, Regent, Academy all ran themselves into the ground. They all showed fewer sessions, at greater prices and cut back on services, which lead to fewer patrons which lead to more cut backs on sessions and services, and higher prices... repeat until you close. I doubt that you could talk any of the major chains into opening anything in Adelaide, they just don't have the right managerial mindset to succeed.

[skyliner]

Just read that Bris. Queens St mall is in trouble for the reverse - too many people. This has cause increases of bored teenagers, vandalism, more violence, no room, impatience, too much noise, bad condition etc etc. Quite ironic.

There is an optimum level that does not reduce quality of the experience that we need.
IMO too many big retail centres and huge bulky goods centre, home centres etc have drained away those who used to use the CBD. (same in many provincial cities in Aust.). The ideas suggested by some here need implementation to draw people back - eg extended trading hours, develop the laneways to give a different exp, more light, more living in the city etc etc.

ADELAIDE - TOWARDS A GREATER CITY SKYLINE

[Prince George]

(cross posting, bad form, I know) Late notice, but there's a public forum today in Rundle Mall about the masterplanning for the Mall. It's at the Art Gallery today (Sunday) from 2-4:30

Rundle Mall Masterplan Public Forum

The Adelaide City Council (ACC) and the Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA) have recently engaged a Consultant Team to develop a Masterplan to re-position Rundle Mall. Having completed the background research stage and now with a number of workshops to provide for various stakeholder groups, we also look to the community to guide the project forward.If you have an interest in the role that Rundle Mall plays on the local, national and international stage, we invite you to participate in a fun and dynamic workshop forum to hear your ideas and how you would like to see Rundle Mall in the future. We strongly believe that the wisdom lies within the community when it comes to the places they live, work and play and we need your thoughts on what makes the Rundle Mall precinct special now, and your ideas to see it into the future. Village Well, a Melbourne based Place Making consultancy will facilitate the forum. With a number of prizes available for the most constructive ideas put forward on the day, this is an opportunity to share your views, connect with other community members and be part of developing a shared vision for Rundle Mall.

[ozisnowman]

The government can solve this with their 30 year plan by ensuring that the CBD and North Adelaide become home
to a lot more people. Build high-rises for people to live and then the Mall will become their local shopping.
Also a loop tram around the city would be to go. Having a look at the proposed routes for a loop tram i dont think
the DTEI are taking the best approach. Why not a tram that goes from Square to Square to Square to Square.

[Will]

Great news! I think Theo Maras should be given an award for all he has done to improve the ambience and class of Rundle Street and now Rundle Mall.

From the Advertiser:

Mall's evening trading bonanza

SHERADYN HOLDERHEAD From: The Advertiser November 27, 2010 12:00AM

ADELAIDE shoppers have voted with their feet in support of evening trading in Rundle Mall, with an extra 500,000 visiting the strip this month compared to the same time last year.
Rundle Mall Management Authority traffic figures reveal the number of people visiting the precinct is tracking more than 25 per cent above last year and is expected to reach at least 2.4 million by the end of the month, up from 1.9 million people in November 2009.

RMMA general manager Martin Haese said there were a lot of worried retailers this year experiencing tough times, but these figures showed great results were still possible.

"Retail does remain tough, but I'm hearing across the sector it is improving," he said.

"Early evening trading certainly raised eyebrows with retailers but it's really finding it's feet.

"There are more people in this place than there has been for a long time," he said.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Related CoverageRundle Mall makeover Adelaide Now, 7 days ago
Christmas retail battle goes online Adelaide Now, 4 Nov 2010
Department stores boost Westfield The Australian, 2 Nov 2010
Call to give city workers vote Adelaide Now, 14 Oct 2010
Extended hours a $50m bonus Adelaide Now, 4 Oct 2010
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Early evening trading began on Tuesday, October 5, with 75 per cent of the Mall' s retailers remaining open until 7pm Monday to Thursday and 61 per cent of shops in its associated shopping centres, arcades and laneways also trading later.

The extended hours were introduced following community consultation this year which revealed more than 50 per cent of Adelaide's 12,000 city workers did not use Rundle Mall for shopping, eating or entertainment.

Harris Scarfe operations general manager Daniel Nikoleaff said that from a retailer's perspective, the response to early evening trading had been very positive.

"There is no doubt South Australian consumers want longer trading hours," he said.

RMMA chairman and property developer Theo Maras said retail in the Mall had "come of age".

"I think it's an exciting time for our city. It ticks two boxes - one for evening trading and one for the new tenants," he said.

Mr Maras pointed to new shops including a Michael Hill flagship store, Politix, Tree of Life, Peter Alexander, Dick Smith Superstore, Lovisa and a FringeTIX booth as enhancing choice for shoppers

[SRW]

The extended hours were introduced following community consultation this year which revealed more than 50 per cent of Adelaide's 12,000 city workers did not use Rundle Mall for shopping, eating or entertainment.

Um, there are a great many more city workers than just 12,000.

[iTouch]

The extended hours were introduced following community consultation this year which revealed more than 50 per cent of Adelaide's 12,000 city workers did not use Rundle Mall for shopping, eating or entertainment.

Um, there are a great many more city workers than just 12,000.

more like 80,000+ (last time I heard)

[AtD]

I would say they left out a zero and it should be 120,000.

Either way, good news for Rundle Mall. Adding two extra hours of trading increased foot traffic by 25% ... and people said no one wants extra trading hours.

[crawf]

It is good news, but it would nice if more traders open after 5.30pm.

The mall is definitely busier in the evening, but half the stores are closed (including Myer).