Australia’s oldest pedestrian mall and iconic retail hub, Rundle Mall, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary.
Forty years ago today on September 1, 1976, champagne flowed from Rundle Mall’s iconic fountain to mark the official opening of the pedestrian mall by then Premier Don Dunstan, which 10,000 people attended.
Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA) General Manager Amanda Grocock said the mall held a very special place in all South Australian’s hearts and minds.
When architect Ian Hannaford first started sketching ideas for the mall and the first of the 580,000 bricks were laid, who would have thought just how much of a loved public space that it would become and how many memories it would create.
While the occasion prompts us to look back and celebrate the history of one of the State’s most iconic public spaces and prosperous retail hubs, we’re also taking the opportunity to look forward into the precinct’s next exciting chapter.
Several major projects have recently been announced, which are set to enhance and compliment the Rundle Mall Precinct, including the $7.85 million redevelopment of Gawler Place and a $50 million tramline extension along North Terrace to the East End.
“While the redeveloped Mall is already an exciting place to meet, trade, invest, shop, learn and visit, these new projects present us with a fantastic opportunity to attract more customers than ever before, and increase activation and investment in the precinct,” Ms Grocock said.
Leading into the Spring/Summer season, Rundle Mall will roll out a number of public activations including their Garden Party from Friday 16 September - Sunday 18 September to continue the 40th Anniversary celebrations with the broader community.
Adelaide Lord Mayor Martin Haese said the 40th Anniversary celebration was a great time for all South Australians to reflect on their favourite memories of the mall.
Rundle Mall stretches 520m from King William Street to Pulteney Street and is home to 700 retail stores, 300 office and service businesses, four department stores and 15 arcades and centres.
