A federal-state funding package to redevelop the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site could be finalised by the end of the year.
While the state government will fund the majority of the work, which could include a national gallery for indigenous art and culture, it needs federal assistance.
"The prime minister and his team are hoping that we might be able to conclude the negotiations by the end of this year. That would be fantastic," Premier Steven Marshall told reporters on Sunday.
"It would make sure we could accelerate our plans, bring forward some of the initiatives on that site and get our state moving in the right direction even sooner."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the state and federal governments were working constructively on the redevelopment proposal and the commonwealth wanted to play its part.
"Where states have great plans, of course, we want to play a role."
Mr Marshall said his government had always envisaged a mixed-use for the hospital site where demolition work on some of the old buildings was already advanced.
Last month the premier said about 1000 people were expected to be working at a new business hub there by next year and clear signs of progress would be obvious by Christmas.
An institute focused on artificial intelligence, Adelaide University's Australian Institute for Machine Learning, will also be the first tenant.
Researchers from defence and aerospace technology and innovation company Lockheed Martin will move to the institute from Melbourne next year.
In its recent budget, the state government allocated $60 million towards the indigenous gallery on the site.
While it also has plans for an international school of culinary excellence, hospitality and tourism to replace an existing facility at Regency Park.
