Adelaide Oval will become the first stadium in Australia to feature an integrated hotel under plans revealed today by the Stadium Management Authority (AOSMA).
Under the plans, the boutique 138-room Adelaide Oval Hotel will be integrated into the eastern façade of the existing structure and will be open by August 2020 in time for the ICC World T20.
The built form will be contained within the Adelaide Oval area and will not impact the parklands or the existing plaza.
Quotes attributable to AOSMA Chair Kevin Scarce AC:
“We have a responsibility to generate funding to maintain and upgrade Adelaide Oval to the highest standard for the benefit of all South Australians.
“To do that, we must continue to create new and relevant business opportunities, and we have a proven record of doing so to date with innovations like the RoofClimb and the LED lighting upgrade.
“A boutique hotel is an innovation that will not only help offset the ongoing costs associated with operating and maintaining the stadium but will also ensure we stay at the forefront of innovation in what is an extremely competitive international event market.
“There are numerous precedents at stadia around the world; indeed, the AFL announced similar intentions for Marvel Stadium earlier this year.
“As the joint venture partners, the boards of SANFL and SACA have undertaken exhaustive due diligence as befits the two organisations that carry the full responsibility for the Adelaide Oval.
“Having done so, it’s very exciting to now be at the point where we’re ready to go to the next step.”
The project will be funded by a loan of up to $42m to be provided to AOSMA by the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA) at commercial rates.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Marshall:
“The Adelaide Oval Hotel will be an important addition to South Australia’s $6.7 billion visitor economy, which is a critical driver of jobs and investment.
“I congratulate the Stadium Management Authority and the Boards of both the SACA and SANFL for continuing to innovate at Adelaide Oval.”
The design of the hotel has been extensively reviewed by the Office for Design and Architecture South Australia (ODASA) to ensure it complements the current outstanding Adelaide Oval design environment. Plans will now be lodged with the State Commission Assessment Panel (SCAP) for approval ahead of a construction tender process early next year.
Quotes attributable to COX Architecture Director Adam Hannon:
“South Australia has a history of firsts, not the least of which was the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval itself. It set new standards and has driven the investment other states are now making in their own facilities.
“We are naturally delighted to again be involved in keeping this magnificent facility at the forefront of sporting stadia.
“We have deliberately designed the hotel to fit as unobtrusively and seamlessly into the design, retaining the magnificent views while not impacting the experience for gameday patrons.
“It’s a low-impact design, not only in the way in which it fits within the current structure but also in the way we can build it without adversely impacting the gameday experience for patrons during its construction.”
Key facts of the development include:
- The Adelaide Oval Hotel will be built and managed by the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority. It will not be operated by an external provider, nor will it carry any large-scale external signage.
- The loan from SAFA of up to $42m will be provided at a standard market rate on a 30-year principal and interest arrangement. As the landlord, the State Government has provided the necessary works approval following consideration by Cabinet.
- Like the Oval itself, the new Adelaide Oval Hotel will be built on Crown Land. Therefore, at the end of AOSMA’s lease, it will be returned to the people of South Australia.
- Because it is on Crown Land leased by AOSMA from the State Government, there are complications in terms of borrowing from a bank including an inability to obtain a normal mortgage. Hence, SAFA has provided the loan.
- The design is being overseen by COX Architecture and project managed by Mott MacDonald, the same team responsible for the award-winning redevelopment of Adelaide Oval.
- The 138-room boutique hotel will feature two wings that will integrate into the existing design on either side of the East Gate. They will be linked by an elevated foyer and lounge pod with views into the east atrium and out to the parklands and city skyline.
- The hotel will utilise current kitchen and restaurant facilities (including Hill of Grace Restaurant) within the Eastern Stand. Access will be via the existing lifts and from the underground carpark.
- Rooms have spectacular views, including St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide Parklands and the city skyline.
- The hotel integrates with the Eastern Stand, celebrating its parkland setting and context. It maintains the current scale and proportion of built form, retaining views of the seating bowl and roof structure.
- AOSMA’s business case for the hotel has been built and stress-tested by consultants including KPMG, BDO and Horwath HTL.
- When complete, the hotel will create 120 ongoing FTE roles.
- While connected to/integrated with the current structure, the Adelaide Oval Hotel will be built as a ‘pod’, separated from the back of the Eastern Stand. Therefore, the seating bowl will not be impacted during construction.
- None of the stadium’s existing access/egress including the plaza and atrium entry are affected by the development. Planning is already underway to ensure the impact of construction on gameday patrons arriving/leaving the stadium at the East Gate is kept at a minimum.
- Construction is anticipated to commence in May 2019 and is expected to complete in June 2020 before opening in August 2020 in time for the ICC World T20.
Media: Phil Martin, Michels Warren PR on 0418 817 876 or pmartin@micwar.com.au
