Salisbury Community Hub
Design Feature
Type of project
Civic and Community Infrastructure / Urban Renewal
State
South Australia
Location
Urban
The Salisbury Community Hub was developed as a visionary civic project to revitalise the heart of the city and reflect the evolving needs of its growing community. Strategically positioned adjacent to the Salisbury Interchange and key commercial precincts, the hub was designed to be both a functional civic space and a community destination.
The City of Salisbury aimed to consolidate key services – including the library, customer service, and civic offices – into a modern, multipurpose facility that encourages interaction, inclusion, and wellbeing. With a strong focus on walkability, safety, and public space activation, the hub demonstrates how local government can lead by example in creating places that improve community health, support economic development, and bring people together.
The project also aligns with broader urban regeneration goals by improving pedestrian connectivity, enhancing public amenity, and setting a new benchmark for sustainable, people-centred design.
This project is all about creating, cultivating and inspiring a culturally diverse community.
The City of Salisbury aimed to consolidate key services – including the library, customer service, and civic offices – into a modern, multipurpose facility that encourages interaction, inclusion, and wellbeing. With a strong focus on walkability, safety, and public space activation, the hub demonstrates how local government can lead by example in creating places that improve community health, support economic development, and bring people together.
The project also aligns with broader urban regeneration goals by improving pedestrian connectivity, enhancing public amenity, and setting a new benchmark for sustainable, people-centred design.
This project is all about creating, cultivating and inspiring a culturally diverse community.
_Designed around the principles of it being a marketplace for community activities, enterprise and resources, it is an open and welcoming place where the community can connect with their council. It is also an innovative catalyst for the next chapter of the evolution of the Salisbury City Centre, a place where community, business and local government work together for the benefit of the city_. (HASSELL / Baukultur)
The Hub includes:
**Project Team**
City of Salisbury (client and visionary lead) HASSELL / Baukultur (architecture and urban design)
Hansen Yuncken (construction)
**Project Cost**
$40M including street and civic plaza upgrades
**Timeline**
Design initiated in 2016; completed and opened to the public in 2019
- a central civic plaza with LED screen and accessible open space and playground
- integrated library, customer centre, and council offices
- an activated ground floor with library, flexible event and meeting spaces
- safe pedestrian and cycling connections to the wider city
- end-of-trip bike facilities and secure bike parking
- shaded seating, green landscaping, and community gathering areas
- environmentally sensitive design with native species and water-wise systems
**Project Team**
City of Salisbury (client and visionary lead) HASSELL / Baukultur (architecture and urban design)
Hansen Yuncken (construction)
**Project Cost**
$40M including street and civic plaza upgrades
**Timeline**
Design initiated in 2016; completed and opened to the public in 2019
Timeline
Design initiated in 2016; completed and opened to the public in 2019
Project Team
City of Salisbury (client and visionary lead)
HASSELL / Baukultur (architecture and urban design)
Hansen Yuncken (construction)
HASSELL / Baukultur (architecture and urban design)
Hansen Yuncken (construction)
Project Cost
$40M including street and civic plaza upgrades
Health Value
Health and wellbeing are embedded throughout the design of the Salisbury Community Hub. Its central location and proximity to the train station make active transport a natural choice. The hub connects easily with surrounding footpaths and cycleways and offers end-of-trip facilities to encourage walking and cycling, particularly along the Little Para Trail.
Internally, open staircases, natural daylight, and visual access to green spaces promote movement and enhance mental wellbeing. The inclusion of public gathering areas, a modern library, and youth spaces provides low-barrier opportunities for learning, social interaction, and community participation – all vital contributors to mental and emotional health.
The hub's accessible design ensures that people of all ages and abilities can safely and comfortably use the space. Whether visiting for a service, attending an event, or simply enjoying the outdoor plaza, the environment encourages both incidental and purposeful physical activity, supporting healthier daily routines.
Internally, open staircases, natural daylight, and visual access to green spaces promote movement and enhance mental wellbeing. The inclusion of public gathering areas, a modern library, and youth spaces provides low-barrier opportunities for learning, social interaction, and community participation – all vital contributors to mental and emotional health.
The hub's accessible design ensures that people of all ages and abilities can safely and comfortably use the space. Whether visiting for a service, attending an event, or simply enjoying the outdoor plaza, the environment encourages both incidental and purposeful physical activity, supporting healthier daily routines.
Economic Value
The hub has delivered significant economic value by transforming Salisbury’s civic core into a vibrant, high-amenity destination. By co-locating services, the council has improved operational efficiency and created a more user-friendly experience for residents and visitors.
The hub has catalysed activity in the surrounding city centre, increasing foot traffic to local businesses – including a bustling greengrocer immediately across the road – and encouraging longer visits. Events, programs, and day-to-day use have extended activation into evenings and weekends, creating a more dynamic local economy.
This investment also boosts the area's appeal to private developers and signals confidence in the city’s future.
The City of Salisbury are currently partnering with a Buildtec and Catcorp consortium to revitalise the Salisbury City Centre into one of South Australia’s most vibrant Centres. The redevelopment of the City Centre will bring large-scale activation and economic growth to the heart of Salisbury. This $200 million redevelopment of four strategic sites will bring new developments to the heart of Salisbury, including a variety of residential housing options, car parking, retirement living, hotel accommodation and mixed-use retail and commercial spaces.
By embedding health, accessibility, and sustainability into its infrastructure, the City of Salisbury has created a model that delivers lasting economic and community benefits – demonstrating the value of well-planned, health-supportive civic infrastructure.
The hub has catalysed activity in the surrounding city centre, increasing foot traffic to local businesses – including a bustling greengrocer immediately across the road – and encouraging longer visits. Events, programs, and day-to-day use have extended activation into evenings and weekends, creating a more dynamic local economy.
This investment also boosts the area's appeal to private developers and signals confidence in the city’s future.
The City of Salisbury are currently partnering with a Buildtec and Catcorp consortium to revitalise the Salisbury City Centre into one of South Australia’s most vibrant Centres. The redevelopment of the City Centre will bring large-scale activation and economic growth to the heart of Salisbury. This $200 million redevelopment of four strategic sites will bring new developments to the heart of Salisbury, including a variety of residential housing options, car parking, retirement living, hotel accommodation and mixed-use retail and commercial spaces.
By embedding health, accessibility, and sustainability into its infrastructure, the City of Salisbury has created a model that delivers lasting economic and community benefits – demonstrating the value of well-planned, health-supportive civic infrastructure.
Social Value
- strengthens community ties by providing welcoming, inclusive, and multipurpose spaces – it is an Accredited Inclusive Communication Access Hub and hosts a social worker employed by not-for-profit SONDER, a leading provider of integrated primary care and community services to enhance the support to our community and build the capacity of staff.
- reduces social isolation by offering free, accessible opportunities for engagement and participation
- brings together diverse groups – families, youth, seniors – through programming and flexible use areas which can serve as exhibition spaces, a high-quality event and conference facility for northern Adelaide, a café, library, outdoor cinema, a meeting space for sole practitioners linked by generous stairs that offer comfortable seating
- builds civic pride and identity by creating a recognisable, people-focused landmark
- encourages volunteering, local initiatives, and knowledge sharing within the community
- reduces social isolation by offering free, accessible opportunities for engagement and participation
- brings together diverse groups – families, youth, seniors – through programming and flexible use areas which can serve as exhibition spaces, a high-quality event and conference facility for northern Adelaide, a café, library, outdoor cinema, a meeting space for sole practitioners linked by generous stairs that offer comfortable seating
- builds civic pride and identity by creating a recognisable, people-focused landmark
- encourages volunteering, local initiatives, and knowledge sharing within the community
Use Value
- there have been high levels of community usage since opening, with strong uptake of library and digital services – youth informally enjoy the space after school
- Hub After Dark initiative offers a study space from 5 – 8.30pm on most weeknights
- regular hosting of workshops, exhibitions, events, and youth programs
- serves as a key destination for civic events, cultural activities, and everyday interactions
- versatile design accommodates changing needs and usage patterns over time
- used by residents, workers, students, and visitors alike – supporting everyday life in multiple ways
- Hub After Dark initiative offers a study space from 5 – 8.30pm on most weeknights
- regular hosting of workshops, exhibitions, events, and youth programs
- serves as a key destination for civic events, cultural activities, and everyday interactions
- versatile design accommodates changing needs and usage patterns over time
- used by residents, workers, students, and visitors alike – supporting everyday life in multiple ways
Further Information
- City of Salisbury - Community - take a virtual tour of the hub here
- HASSELL - Salibury Community Hub
- Baukultur
- Salisbury City Centre Redevelopment - City of Salisbury
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