[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[SRW]

I can see how the articulation of the roof line sort of relates to the geometric pattern of the paving, and that the stainless steel references the Mall's Balls and the newly installed street furniture, but I must agree it's heavy and uninviting. TBH, I'm a little disappointed with the treatment of Gawler Place overall. I feel the upgrade still leaves the Mall turning its back to Gawler Place rather than integrating it and drawing on its links to the city beyond. But I suppose that's something that can be addressed in future upgrade, and as others have noted, the Mall redevelopment overall is a beautiful success.

[monotonehell]

The canopy would have been better to be completely utilitarian, but unobtrusive. So it serves the function but no one notices it. Some kind of arrangement of clear glass panes in simple frames, suspended somehow would have been enough.

Ah hindsight...

[pushbutton]

The paving has a geometric pattern? I'll have to have yet another look as I haven't been able to see it as anything other than a mess.

[monotonehell]

The paving has a geometric pattern? I'll have to have yet another look as I haven't been able to see it as anything other than a mess.

Rectangles are geometric!

The pattern isn't your regular mirrored on two axes affair, it's a design of several sizes and colours of paver, in wide strips. It's like elongated pools of darker pavers surrounding the seats and other street furniture. All the pavers were laid according to exacting prepared drawings, I saw a couple of workers trying to interpret a drawing at one stage and looking at the drawing they followed the design to the letter.

If all you're seeing is a mess, then you've not looked closely.

As to whether the result works, that's an aesthetics call. I think the colour choice is dull and the pavers looked dirty before they were laid. The layout of the shapes however I think works.

[Waewick]

Its better than what was there before.

It isnt in the way so I am happy.

[pushbutton]

I agree the paving looks better than what was there before, but I think that's mainly because it's new. When the previous pavers were first laid they looked neat and clean too.

[Llessur2002]

Seems the Gawler Place canopy is not finished yet - it's getting a layer of glass on top of it which slightly protrudes over the ends. I can't attach a photo right now but will try to upload something when I get home - unless someone beats me to it.

To be honest the thing's growing on me - agree the opportunity could have been taken to put something really fancy in there but I think the glass adds a nice extra touch and softens the structure a little...

[Waewick]

I agree the paving looks better than what was there before, but I think that's mainly because it's new. When the previous pavers were first laid they looked neat and clean too.

sorry my post was brief as I was on the phone.

I like the canopy becuase it ia out of the way an unassuming, it doesnt need to be fancy,imo, it needs to just functional and well not ugly.

I can live with the paving too, I like the seats.

I already dont like the fountain.

The lights will be interesting.

[citywatcher]

What is going on with those overhead lights?

It has been six months now ! Dare I say it typically Adelaide .

[monotonehell]

Before the change in Council, the position was that the building owners who had, in principle, agreed to the wires for the lighting to be attached to their buildings at the commencement of the project, baulked at the reality of having the wires attached when approached about specifics. I've not heard anything since.

[Patrick_27]

Before the change in Council, the position was that the building owners who had, in principle, agreed to the wires for the lighting to be attached to their buildings at the commencement of the project, baulked at the reality of having the wires attached when approached about specifics. I've not heard anything since.

Further to that, I believe the major arcades (Myer Centre, Adelaide Central Plaza, City X and Rundle Place) were among those opposing the wires because they'd damage their street appeal. Which then the council's solution was to instead erecting two "landmark" 40-50m tall towers at each of the mall which would hold take the bulk of the cable/lighting weight and they'd support this cable by attaching it to those building's that agreed to still have the attachment. The location of these towers is where there remains to be bitumen at the ends of the mall. I can't understand why it's taking so long...

As for the remainder of the mall upgrade, I now question the choice of colours for the paving. The mall always looks grubby and the expected chewing gum marks just makes it look worse. And the trees don't seem to have a hope in hell of actually growing to full height because people keep breaking the tops off...

[Matt]

From memory, there was a tweet from either the ACC or Martin Haese that suggested the lighting wouldn't be up until August.

[citywatcher]

Pathetic.

[Nathan]

So missing all of winter, when the lighting would be of most use come the end of the day.

[ChillyPhilly]

Pissant town.