Bold Vic Sq vision
Source: Messenger News
A FUTURISTIC tower is the centrepiece of an ambitious multi-million dollar redesign for Victoria Square unveiled this week.
The design (see artist's impression, left) presented by the combined Grote Business Precinct-Gouger St Traders Association would involve: excavating the entire square to a depth of at least two levels; re-directing some traffic; building an east-west road bridge; a 350-space underground car park; and a sunken public plaza.
The proposed tower would be about the same height as the Adelaide GPO spire and it would house a cafe, restaurant and observation deck. The plans, designed by Loucas Zahos Architects, were released at a function at the Hilton International on Monday night (August 18) after two years of design work.
Grote Business Precinct vice president Bill Marles said early reaction had been positive.
"It's a fairly ambitious plan and there seems to be a bit of excitement about it," he said. "What we're trying to do is open up people's minds to something that's quite radical and different."
Mr Marles said the proposed tower, which would stand on the same spot as the Queen Victoria statue, would become an instant Adelaide landmark.
"If you look at any major city around the world Paris, Toronto, Sydney they all have a tower, people seem to love going up a tower," he said.
"It would be a centrepiece that would bring people into the city."
Detail in the design includes: Shifting all north-south traffic to the western or Hilton side, with one lane remaining on the eastern or State Admin Centre side, for emergencies; Keeping the east-west traffic route through the square's middle it would become a bridge over the excavated square; The excavated area would become a sunken ampitheatre available for live performances; A kiosk at the southern end of the sunken plaza; Retaining the John Dowie-designed fountain; Installing a travelator linking the Central Market to the square.
The City Council and State Government have both committed to revamping the much-maligned square.
Last month, the council and State Government held a $20,000 public competition calling for designs to revamp the square.
The process has now opened up to professional designers and this is the first professional submission to emerge.
Mr Marles said the plans would be submitted to the City Council and State Government for formal consideration this month.
He said the group was also in discussions with the Federal Government about contributing to the revamp.
