Provisional heritage listing for the University of Adelaide’s Union Hall has won it a reprieve from the wrecking ball.

Temporary heritage status from the Register Committee of the South Australian Heritage Council means that Union Hall will be safe for three months, to allow for consultation.

The 500-seat Modernist theatre is being razed to make way for a new physics department specializing in laser research, designed by BVN Architecture.

However, University of Adelaide vice chancellor, James McWha, said the delay could endanger the future project.

“This decision jeopardises an exciting new development for this state, a world-leading research facility that will allow our researchers to produce great benefits in health, the environment, food and wine production and defence," he said.