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A development application (DA) for what would become Adelaide's tallest building will be lodged in the coming days, with the proposed 38-storey tower to sit on the Festival Plaza and accommodate up to 5,000 office workers.
The 160-metre-tall building is expected to be the crown jewel in the $2 billion Festival Plaza redevelopment, spanning almost 50,000 square metres over 38 levels and featuring panoramic views of the Riverbank, Adelaide Oval and Adelaide Hills.
The State Government has hailed the proposed project as Adelaide's "first skyscraper", although there is no universal definition for what constitutes a skyscraper and some buildings already achieve minimum heights for such a distinction.
The development is expected to host 5,000 office workers, in addition to another 100 retail workers in its lower-floor restaurants, cafes and bars, generating an estimated $1 billion in economic activity for the area.
An original proposal, which will be replaced by the new development, would have seen a three-storey retail building on the plaza completely obscure views of Parliament House’s heritage façade and balcony.
More than 1,000 construction jobs including graduate and apprentice programs are expected to be generated by the final stage of the Festival Plaza project
“This will be an iconic building that will define Adelaide’s skyline,” SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said.
“We want and need more workers in our city and this sends a clear message that SA is open for business and investment.
“This government actively intervened to overturn our predecessor’s vision for a three-storey building which would have completely blocked views of Parliament House and would have delivered nothing to our economy.”
Early preparatory works have already commenced at the site, with the new development by Walker Corporation to be constructed by Built – a Sydney-based company that was a major construction partner for the 29-storey Festival Tower. A DA for the early works stage of the project was approved last year, allowing the SA teams from contractors FDC and Delta to commence important foundation works.
Delta will continue its work for the first part of 2025 in preparation for a formal handover to Built to commence superstructure works following the final stage of DA approval. It is anticipated that tenants will begin occupying the tower in 2027.
One of Australia’s largest private property companies, Walker Corporation has completed more than 1,200 projects, with $35 billion of projects in its pipeline and an estimated 85,000-plus homes yet to be delivered.
The property giant is currently in discussions with a number of tenants looking to pre-commit to the tower’s commercial floors. Walker will lodge its final DA for the tower with the independent State Commission Assessment Panel, with a decision to be made in the next few months.
“This tower will be an iconic and defining landmark in Adelaide’s skyline, instantly recognisable and admired, and setting the highest benchmark for commercial offices and sustainability outcomes integrated with premium retail experiences,” Walker managing director David Gallant said.
“Walker are proud to continue our investment in South Australia to help the State grow and prosper and we are passionate about delivering the premium quality which Adelaide deserves as it competes to attract the best companies and jobs to a city brimming with university talent.”
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