Former Adelaide Bus Station earmarked for major mixed-use redevelopment

Renewal SA has recently announced its plans to purchase the former Adelaide Bus Station site on Franklin Street, which will be developed into a mixed-use site called Tapangka.

Tapangka, which is a Kaurna word that translates to journey, will aim to provide a new approach to city living, inspired by the journey of reconciliation, home ownership, sustainability, and collaboration between the city and the state.

The Adelaide City Council chose Renewal SA as the successful proponent of the 6,850 sqm site, with the group aiming to position the project as one of the most vibrant and inclusive residential developments and precincts in the state.

The project is set to deliver an unprecedented level of affordable housing in Adelaide's CBD, including a blend of long- and short-term housing options, contemporary commercial, civic, and retail spaces.

Aerial image of the proposed Franklin Street site. Credit: Renewal SA

Renewal SA’s Manager of Reconciliation and Cultural Heritage, Kiran Dixon said Tapangka sits on the land of the Tarndanyungga, the place of the red kangaroo dreaming. 

“This link to heritage will be celebrated in every aspect of Tapangka's development, from it’s planning and design, to it’s ongoing cultural life,” Dixon said.

Woods Bagot were engaged to design the precinct, which will consist of two mixed-use towers with around 392 apartments, accommodating more than 1,000 residents. At least 137 of the apartments (35%) will be affordable, including 51 affordable sale apartments and 86 affordable rental apartments.

With the Tapangka precinct the first CBD location to feature the emerging build-to-rent apartment model, the development will also include a 208-key hotel.

In addition to the apartments and hotel, the precinct will feature a central civic building that will be a place of entertainment, culture, and community. The building will showcase the best of sustainable construction and target carbon neutrality precinct-wide.

Woods Bagot’s Alex Hall said Adelaide is ready for a bold new approach to city living.

“The main attraction of Tapangka will be a signature carbon-neutral civic building. This building will be a place of entertainment, culture and community, and will nourish surrounding business,” Hall said. 

Tree-lined laneways or "eat streets" will spill out onto the footpaths between Franklin and Grote streets, offering a combination of casual eateries and sit-down restaurant options both day and night. These streets will be surrounded by a backdrop of living green walls that will provide shade and cooling and mitigate the impacts of the heat-island effect.

Render the proposed "eat streets" within the Franklin Street site. Credit: Renewal SA

Renewal SA Chief Executive, Chris Menz said the site represents a significant economic opportunity for Adelaide and a chance to set a new benchmark for inner-city living.

“We have a target to deliver Adelaide’s first carbon neutral precinct, that will be focussed on connection, lifestyle, culture and growth for our city,” he said

“Tapangka will feature a diverse mix of long and short-term housing options. The precinct will also be a new place to do business, featuring a range of flexible commercial spaces, and crucially it will extend and compliment the Adelaide’s central market experience, and increase visitation to the city.”

The development will also feature extensive public art throughout Tapangka, celebrating the Kaurna culture, and a public open space owned by the City of Adelaide along Grote and Bowen streets will undergo a $1.2 million upgrade by the state as part of the development.

The multi-million-dollar development will become a significant jobs driver for South Australia, with more than 1,300 jobs expected to be generated during the construction period alone. The project will also contribute more than $161 million of Gross Value Add to the state.

Renewal SA has a proven track record of shaping cities and precincts, including urban infill redevelopment at Bowden and the adaptive reuse of the former Mitsubishi car plant in Adelaide's south to create Tonsley Innovation District.

Construction of the Tapangka precinct will be staged and is expected to commence in early 2026 with opportunities for designers, developers and builders to participate in the project. Project completion is anticipated by 2029.