Have your say: Inside the Adelaide Central Market’s once-in-a-generation expansion
Adelaide’s historic Central Market is undergoing the most significant transformation in its 156-year history – and now it’s time for you to have a say in its future.
If you’ve walked past the Market lately, you would have seen that there’s some serious construction underway right next door where the expansion is set to open. Market Square is a $400 million redevelopment that’s going to completely transform the area when it opens in the last quarter of 2026.
The Adelaide Central Market Authority (ACMA) – the team responsible for the day-to-day management of the Market – wants to hear your thoughts on how to shape the future of this Adelaide icon.
If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing more dumplings, cosy coffee nooks, vegan cheese stores or hidden laneway wine bars at the Market, now’s your chance to speak up.
“Responses from the community will help inform what mix of shops and stalls are in the expanded Market,” ACMA Chair Theo Maras said.
Take the Adelaide Central Market Authority’s quick survey now
“The Market will remain dedicated to its purpose as a fresh food and produce market – but the type of food businesses, specialty stalls and eateries can be informed by what the community tells us and where the fresh food offer can evolve to serve customers of the future.”
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At the heart of the Market Square project is the Market Expansion on the ground floor, which will see the footprint of the existing Market double in size. This means up to 53 new traders will join the existing 70 already serving up the best local produce, street eats and gourmet treats in town.
If you love the current Market’s colourful buzz and melting pot of global cultures, there’s good news – that’s not going anywhere.
The expanded space will include the same look and feel market-goers know and love, with heritage brickwork and archways, colourful displays, black floors and ceilings, and those delicious smells that hit the second you walk in.
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Plus, there will be a grand new glass-ceilinged Market Hall, a buzzing north-south laneway between Gouger and Grote streets, night-time trading, and plenty of space to eat, shop and chill.
There’ll be a mix of traditional-style stalls, fun new kiosk setups and bigger café and restaurant spaces with laneway and street-front vibes. It’s designed to be a place you can visit for a grocery run, grab a bite to eat, meet a mate for coffee, or all of the above.
Coles will return on Level 1 above the Market Expansion, along with a bottle shop and other retail, medical and hospitality operators.
The whole precinct will be easy to access, with more than 1000 public car parks and a direct link to the tram.
But the redevelopment isn’t just about expanding the Market offering.
The area is set to become a full-blown mixed-use precinct with Australia’s first Treehouse Hotel, 234 new apartments, over 20,000sqm of A-grade office space, an HEI childcare centre – based on Finland’s famous early education system – and a lush 3000sqm rooftop terrace.
Maras said these additions would mean that the market “will be vital to servicing a growing population of people living, working, staying, and playing in the precinct”.
“The Market is the cultural heart of the city, and the Market Expansion will bring more of what customers already love – an authentic and unique local experience,” he said.
Whether you’re a die-hard Market regular or just discovering its charm, you can help shape the market’s next chapter by completing the online survey by Wednesday, 25 June.