Adelaide Oval to build Australia’s first stadium hotel

In another exciting development for the home of football in South Australia, it’s been announced today that Adelaide Oval will become the first stadium in Australia to feature an integrated hotel.

Under the plans unveiled by the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority (AOSMA) – which is the joint venture between SANFL and SACA responsible for managing and maintaining the stadium – a boutique 128-room Adelaide Oval Hotel will be integrated into the eastern façade of the existing structure.

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. It’s anticipated that it will be open by August 2020 in time for the ICC World T20.

SANFL CEO Jake Parkinson said the announcement was “great news for football”.

“There are stadia around the world that incorporate hotels, and we’ve heard the AFL announce similar intentions for Marvel Stadium earlier this year,” he said.

“A boutique hotel will add another layer to the experience of coming to Adelaide Oval and will encourage even more interstate fans to make the journey.

“From a SANFL point of view, this is an innovation that will help offset the ongoing costs associated with operating and maintaining the stadium, ensuring the benefits from Adelaide Oval will continue to flow into grassroots sport.”

 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.

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.
• 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 128-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.