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Rundle Mall Turns 40!

They didn’t fill the mall fountain with champagne like they did when they opened it it 1976, but there were still some bubbles flowing.

Australia’s oldest and longest pedestrian mall (at 528 metres), Rundle Mall, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary today. Opened on Thursday, September 1st 1976, exactly forty years ago, by then Premier Don Dunstan, the champagne was flowing from the iconic fountain that day as 10,000 people crammed the new footpath in attendance.

Don Dunstan Opening Rundle Mall

Don Dunstan Opens Rundle Mall on September 1, 1976.

Historical Regent Arcade

The classic Regent Arcade before the Mall was closed to vehicles.

 

Today’s celebration was a slightly more reserved occasion as Lord Mayor Martin Haese was joined by councillor Martin Hamilton-Smith, Rundle Mall Management Authority (RMMA) General Manager Amanda Grocock, dignitaries, media and special guests in liberally pouring the Bird In Hand bubbles in celebration of the strip.

“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,” Ms Grocock said. “While the occasion prompts us to look back and celebrate the history of one of the State’s most iconic public spaces and prosperous retails hubs, we’re also taking the opportunity to look forwards into the precincts 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 tram extension along North Terrace. “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.

Here’s quick run down for history buffs of some of the events that shaped Rundle Mall:

• On February 20, 1974, the Minister of Transport (Geoff Virgo) announced in Parliament that agreement had been reached on the conversion of Rundle Street to a pedestrian mall
• In January 1976, the first of 580,000 bricks were laid creating the mall
• On September 1, 1976, then Premier Don Dunstan officially opened Rundle Mall at a public event attended by more than 10,000 people
• Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Rundle Mall with Prince Phillip on March 23, 1977, as part of South Australia’s Jubilee Year
• The ‘Sphere’ sculpture commonly known as the ‘Mall’s Balls’ by Bert Flugelman was unveiled on October 5, 1977
• On July 5, 1984, 25,000 fans turned out to welcome British pop star sensation Boy George and his group Culture Club
• In 1999, music legend Tony Bennett appeared in the Myer Centre
• In July 2012, a $30 million redevelopment of the mall is announced

RM402

RM40

A snap of today’s celebrations, featuring the improvised champagne fountain.

Leading into the Spring/Summer season, Rundle Mall will roll out a number of public activations including The
Spring Garden Party from September 16-­18 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. “I personally have a very strong connection
to this wonderful community asset. It is where I spent so many great times with friends in my youth, it is where I first learnt my trade and of course where I first set up my business,” Mr Haese said. “I am sure that the next 40 years will be as equally as exciting for Rundle Mall as the first 40 and it will continue to be the heart beat of the
city well into the future.”

Rundle Mall is home to 700 retail stores, 300 office and service businesses, four department stores and 15 arcades and centres. For more information, visit www.rundlemall.com.

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