Remember that spot upstairs in Rundle Mall where Harris Scarf used to reside? Well that big old empty space is about to be transformed into a first-of-its-kind entertainment and dining precinct!
The level one Rundle Place locale is set for a multimillion-dollar makeover by Australasia’s largest fun company provider, Funlab that will create Rundle Mall’s first day-night destination.
Across the 2,200sqm leased by the anti-fun police, three of its global brands, Strike Bowling, Hijinx Hotel, and Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq will create Entertainment Place in a South Australian first.
You might’ve seen the tree ventures whilst scrolling Instagram reels, as our neighbour Melbourne has been enjoying the amusement as of late. Strike Bowling turns down the lights and cranks the fun with high-energy music bringing a party atmosphere to their bowling alley.
While Hijinx Hotel is an immersive and interactive escape room and game experience housed within the theme, wonder and theatre of a quirky New York-style hotel where the rooms are reimagined into fun and experiential game-afied rooms.
And Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is a dazzling, delightful spectacle for all ages, bringing together a kaleidoscopic circus of cocktails, arcade and ticket games that gives old fun a new life.
Alongside Funlab’s entertainment offerings will be a 1,500sqm dining precinct with up to seven restaurants and bars on the cards, completing Entertainment Place. Afterall, it’s not proper South Australian entertainment without a side of good food and wine.
Rundle Place is owned through a joint venture between Fortius Funds Management, which is now part of Growthpoint Properties Australia, and Irongate Group.
Executive Director of Funds Management at Fortius, Sam Sproats says, “This project will extend Rundle Place’s appeal from fashion and services, into the evening, with an entertaining and dining precinct that will be the first of its kind in South Australia.”
“It is a significant project that continues our repositioning of the centre and kickstarts Rundle Mall’s night-time economy, becoming the retail strips first and only true after-hours attraction.
“We are pleased to welcome Funlab’s first major South Australian attraction to Rundle and expect shoppers, visitors and tourists are going to really enjoy their three brands.
“You can come to Rundle Place, park in our adjacent carpark, have lunch in the lower ground food court, shop at more than 20 premium retail brands on ground floor, and then go upstairs for a night of fun and fine food at Entertainment Place and the new dining precinct.”
Ainsworth Property is managing the leasing for Rundle Place, including the new Entertainment Place and dining precinct on level one.
“With the project’s anchor tenant Funlab secured, we are now focused on attracting high-quality local and interstate food and beverage operators for the dining precinct,” says Zelman Ainsworth, Director at Ainsworth Property.
“We have recently completed close to 30 leasing negotiations across the centre which have significantly helped with its repositioning, ranging from new tenants, to relocations, expansions, and flagship store creations.
“New tenants include premium retail brands lululemon and Nude Lucy, and food and beverage operators Dawn Patrol, Kintaro, CnB Chicken and Burger, Dumpling 100 express, and FOAM Café.”
Constructions works for Entertainment Place in Rundle Mall will soon start, ahead of an expected grand opening in late 2023 – Godspeed!
All images supplied