The redevelopment of the Adelaide Festival precinct will take place over the next five years.

The South Australian Government has today announced a $90 million investment to redevelop the Adelaide Festival Centre. This will be the most significant infrastructure work undertaken at the State’s largest arts venue since it opened in 1973. The major upgrade to the Centre is part of a $180 million infrastructure renewal project of the Festival Plaza area of the city, which will include an increase in restaurants, cafes, shops, underground parking and office buildings.

The Festival Centre refurbishment will address some of the long-standing issues with the building’s design, including improving views of the centre’s riverbank location, and increasing the number of access points, as well upgrades to the building’s exterior to improve its appearance and deal with unsightly water-damage. There will also be major improvements to the venue’s foyers, upgrades to the internal technical facilities including new sound, lighting and stage equipment, and the introduction of an interactive “children’s arts play area” to encourage families to visit the Centre. The Festival Centre redevelopment will also see the decommissioning of some of its existing facilities, such as the amphitheatre, which will be demolished, and...