The heart of a city beats through the moments shared between its streets and those who walk them. It’s found in structures that leave us in awe, in corners that shelter our conversations, in unexpected murals that spark imagination, and in the rhythm of neighbourhood sounds that become the backdrop to our lives.

The best of these projects are celebrated in the City of Adelaide Prize, one of the categories in this year’s prestigious South Australian Architecture Awards Program.

This publicly voted for prize recognises innovative projects that enliven the City’s public spaces and engage with the community.

Everyone who votes is entered into the draw for a $300 JamFactory gift voucher.

Read on to learn a little about each finalist project.

This picture: Visual Domain

LATTERIA
By studio gram

Latteria is a contemporary take on the traditional Milanese latteria – blending bar, diner, and deli into a warm and stylish community hub. Adjacent a residential neighbourhood, it offers a space for locals and visitors to gather, work, or unwind in a setting that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.

The design opens the frontage of the former bank and TAB to the street, enriching the area’s vibrancy and sense of place. Bold design gestures – including generous openable windows that allow patrons to sit facing the street and provide passers-by a view of the powder-blue island bar as well as a place to sit on the deep sill, – create a dynamic hospitality experience that evolves throughout the day and connects with the wider precinct. Music plays a central role, shaping a welcoming atmosphere that resonates across generations.  Outdoor seating extends activity into the public realm.

Latteria exemplifies how hospitality can enhance urban life, strengthen community connection, and support local culture. Its distinctive character and multifunctional design position it as a local anchor, reinforcing Adelaide’s identity as a bold, creative and forward-thinking city.

Vote for Latteria here.

This picture: Con Zahos

VIBE HOTEL ADELAIDE
By Loucas Zahos Architects

Completing the City’s master-planned Flinders East precinct, VIBE Hotel Adelaide is a striking example of urban revitalisation. The 123-room hotel blends modern architecture with community engagement, offering a vibrant new destination for locals and visitors alike to connect, relax and immerse themselves in Adelaide’s evolving culture.

Its innovative design connects Flinders Street to a publicly accessible, landscaped plaza, enriching the pedestrian experience by providing a relaxing oasis and reinforcing Adelaide’s identity as a city of bold, people-focused spaces. The suspended bridge pool – the first of its kind in Australia – visually links VIBE to the adjacent ONE Apartments, and frames the entry to the outdoor restaurant seating.  A generous bench seat along the perimeter of the raised planter and the deep window opening to the hotel foyer, provide pedestrians a sheltered and attractive place to stop for a while.

Through use of sustainable materials and operable facades that connect indoor activity with outdoor vibrancy, VIBE activates the street and invites interaction. The project enhances quality of life through thoughtful placemaking, while contributing to economic activity and positioning Adelaide as an innovative and aspirational global city.

Vote for VIBE Hotel Adelaide here.

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This picture: Raphael Christinat

ADELAIDE GPO MARRIOTT HOTEL
By Hassell with Baukultur

The Adelaide GPO Marriott Hotel reinvigorates one of the city’s most iconic heritage precincts, blending historic preservation with bold, contemporary design. This transformative redevelopment breathes new life into the former General Post Office and its surrounds, creating a vibrant hospitality and commercial destination that invites the public to rediscover Adelaide’s rich history.

Through the adaptive reuse of the grand heritage interiors and the addition of a refined hotel tower – carefully cantilevered and respectfully withdrawn – the project preserves the landmark presence of the historic clock tower while injecting new energy into this prominent corner of Victoria Square. Key pedestrian connections around and through the hotel interconnect neighbouring buildings and a central public plaza with the hotel’s shared spaces, including the bar, restaurant and function areas.  The bar opens out onto Exchange Lane, making what was a dead-end service area into a welcoming public space.

More than just accommodation, the Marriott delivers a world-class experience that draws visitors, supports the tourism economy, and reinforces Adelaide’s reputation as a city that honours its heritage while embracing ambitious, high-quality urban design.

Vote for Adelaide GPO Marriott Hotel here.

This picture: Brad Griffin

UNION HOUSE – THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
By Swanbury Penglase

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The revitalisation of Union House breathes new life into this historic campus landmark, restoring it as a social and cultural heart for students and staff and opening it to the wider community. Through a sensitive and intelligent approach to heritage adaptation, the project repositions Union House as a contemporary civic space that connects past and present, city and University.

The reimagined Cloister, new dining and function spaces, and improved accessibility contribute to daily activation and inclusivity. Pedestrianisation of the precinct through removal of fencing and internal security points, improved circulation and signage, strengthening physical and visual links between the University, the River Torrens, and the surrounding parklands. These physical changes, combined with the University’s decision to open spaces to public use, opens the building to the Adelaide community.

This project demonstrates how historic buildings can be boldly and respectfully transformed to serve current needs, enriching campus life and extending an open invitation to the wider city. It highlights the enduring value of heritage and the role of institutions in shaping Adelaide as an inclusive, future-focused city.

Vote for Union House – The University of Adelaide here.

This picture: Peter Clarke

ADELAIDE BOTANIC HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION
By COX Architecture

The expansion of Adelaide Botanic High School continues to redefine education in the city, responding to surging demand with a bold and future-focused vertical learning environment. Building on the original school’s innovative design, the new addition accommodates 700 more students across 9000sqm of flexible, tech-enabled spaces.

Designed in collaboration with the school community, the expansion enhances urban density without compromising quality of life. It promotes sustainability, wellbeing and equity in education through accessible, multi-use facilities that are seamlessly integrated with the existing city campus.

The project also enables the school to dramatically increase its engagement with the community.  Spaces are available for use by external organisations, bringing people into the campus.  Students are also encouraged to interact with the facilities outside the School’s boundary.  This has already resulted in diverse education opportunities, and enhanced activation of surrounding University, Lot 14 and parklands precincts.

This project reflects Adelaide’s commitment to excellence and innovation in public infrastructure, positioning the city as a leader in contemporary education design and reinforcing its reputation as a place of opportunity, learning and progressive urbanism.

Vote for Adelaide Botanic High School Expansion here.

This picture: Nathaniel Willson

CHIHULY IN THE BOTANIC GARDEN
By Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium

Chihuly in the Botanic Garden has elevated one of Adelaide’s most beloved public spaces into a world-class outdoor gallery, welcoming over one million visitors to a free, vibrant cultural experience since opening in September 2024.  This is equivalent to the number of visitors over the previous 12 months and includes significant numbers of people from overseas and interstate, benefiting the local economy.  Rundle East traders noted a significant increase in business prior to the Fringe, and overseas visitors have stayed in Adelaide for 10 nights on average.

By integrating the breathtaking works of American glass artist Dale Chihuly throughout the Botanic Garden and the Bicentennial Conservatory, the exhibition sparks curiosity, connection and wonder – demonstrating the power of art to enhance public space and civic life. It also creates meaningful opportunities for South Australian artists and makers, who are supported through events, live music, workshops, and retail collaborations.  Finally, it has encouraged visitors to experience the lesser-known parts of the Garden.

This bold, aspirational initiative reinforced Adelaide’s global cultural reputation, attracted significant visitation, and deepened public appreciation for art and nature. It showcased how temporary activation can leave a lasting legacy in the hearts of a city’s people.  It will also result in a physical legacy, with the custom-made work in the Palm House to remain thanks to a generous private donation once the exhibition closes at the end of April.

Vote for Chihuly in the Botanic Garden here.

This picture: Mary Moore

QUEEN’S WALL
By Mary Moore and Sandpit

Queen’s Wall transforms an overlooked laneway into a dynamic, immersive journey through Adelaide’s theatrical history. Through vibrant mural work, augmented reality storytelling and audio drama, it reclaims public space as a platform for discovery and connection.

Celebrating 185 years of the Queen’s Theatre, the installation invites passersby to explore the city’s cultural legacy through art and technology. This innovative approach makes history engaging, accessible and personal – attracting visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

By activating a previously underutilised walkway, Queen’s Wall enhances the pedestrian experience, improves pedestrian safety and creates a bold, forward-thinking model for cultural placemaking in Adelaide’s public realm.

Vote for Queen’s Wall here.

This picture: David Sievers

MYER CENTRE FAÇADE UPGRADE

By Stallard Meek Flightpath Architects (SMFA)

The Myer Centre Façade Upgrade redefines one of Rundle Mall’s most recognisable buildings, transforming it into a striking, contemporary landmark that contributes to the vibrancy and identity of Adelaide’s retail core.

The initial brief was replacement of the dated cladding but evolved into a broader revitalisation effort. The dynamic aluminium blades on the mall frontage and the continuous new canopy improve sightlines, enhance pedestrian comfort, and re-engage the building with the public realm. Large portals clearly indicate entry points and punctuate distant views.  Integrated lighting and sustainable materials showcase a commitment to long-term urban quality.

This bold refresh enhances the Myer Centre’s retail appeal and street presence, supporting economic activity while demonstrating how architectural renewal can enrich city life.

Vote for Myer Centre Façade Upgrade here.

This picture: POTTY MOUTH

BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE
By POTTY MOUTH – Cassie Hutchinson

Bloom Where You Are is a bold and joyful mural in the heart of Adelaide that transforms a blank city wall into a beacon of resilience, optimism, and connection to place. Inspired by the native Grevillea Juniperina, the artwork celebrates nature and community through vibrant colour and expressive form.

This public artwork creates a moment of pause and inspiration in the urban environment, contributing to wellbeing and daily delight. Its durable, sustainable design demonstrates that placemaking can be both cost-effective and deeply meaningful.

By making art visible and accessible in everyday life, Bloom Where You Are enhances Adelaide’s reputation as a city that values creativity, culture and human connection.  It is also a testament to the generosity of the artist, whose passion for the city and perseverance in identifying the site and engaging with the owner enabled the work to be realised.

Vote for Bloom Where You Are here.

This picture: Saige Prime

AGSA RADICAL TEXTILES EXHIBITION
By Grieve Gillett Architects

Radical Textiles at the Art Gallery of South Australia presented a powerful fusion of contemporary craft, activism and design. Featuring over 150 textile works from local and national collections, the exhibition celebrated the political, cultural and aesthetic dimensions of fabric arts.

Offering a fascinating insight into the often-unexpected role of textiles in society, the exhibition took audiences on a journey through more than a century of political and social change. It connected with a wide range of communities, including the craft, Queer, Deaf and activist communities, as well as artists, designers and makers.

Through inclusive programming – such as accessible tours, sustainable fashion workshops and children’s activities – Radical Textiles broadened the gallery’s reach and deepened cultural participation. It demonstrated how art can challenge perspectives, ignite conversation and bring people together.

Radical and inclusive, this exhibition positioned Adelaide as a leader in cultural dialogue, design thinking and artistic excellence on the global stage.

Vote for AGSA Radical Textiles Exhibition here.

This picture: Jonathan VDK

SOFIA BISTRO
By Sans-Arc Studio

Sofia Bistro reimagines an underutilised ground floor of a 1980s office building into a vibrant, street-facing hospitality destination. This adaptive reuse project brings warmth, life and community back to the otherwise quiet northern end of Hutt Street through clever design, honest materials and a celebration of daily rituals.

The venue’s layered, light-filled interior encourages lingering – whether for coffee, long lunches, or casual dinners. Sashless windows and new greenery connect the interior to the street, softening the urban edge and inviting public engagement.

Sofia Bistro exemplifies the power of small-scale, thoughtful interventions to improve quality of life, support local enterprise and enhance Adelaide’s reputation as a creative and liveable city.

Vote for Sofia Bistro here.

Public voting for the City of Adelaide Prize closes 13 June 2025.