There is about a month left to run on the market sounding exercise for the $1 billion new housing development on the former West End Brewery site.
The project, in the north-west fringe of Adelaide on Port Road, is targeting between 1000 to 1300 new homes and will include both apartments and townhouses, with at least 20 per cent affordable housing, across a world-class, diverse, urban neighbourhood on the north-western side of Adelaide.
The mixed-use community, on a 8.4-hectare site, will include retail, commercial, hospitality and new open space, with direct access to key transport links, employment centres, cultural and sporting attractions.
Renewal SA has engaged JLL to undertake the market sounding process and canvas the opportunity with the local and national development industry.
This market sounding, which began in late December, provides a forum for potential developers and investors to provide feedback on the draft master plan that will be considered in the final refinements of the master plan to be completed in early 2025.
The market sounding is also seeking to gather insights on developer interest, preferred level of involvement, development structure and timing, and how, in partnership with Renewal SA, industry can maximise the development potential of this rare land opportunity.
Renewal SA will be seeking proposals from interested development partners soon and is aiming for development agreements to be executed in 2025, to support government targets to have the first residents moving into the precinct in late 2026.
JLL Director Jack O’Leary said the project would combine public and private investment with opportunities across various sectors, including build-to-rent, build-to-sell and an affordable housing component.
“The site boasts 300m river frontage and 250m frontage for Port Road, a major arterial road for Adelaide,” he said.
“These features, combined with views of the world-renowned Adelaide Park Lands, make this an unparalleled development opportunity.”
Renewal SA Chief Executive Chris Menz says the agency is conducting the market sounding exercise to engage with potential development partners who can bring their experience and skill to a project that is set to revitalise the north-west fringe of Adelaide and become a landmark destination in Adelaide.
“This is a genuine chance to contribute to one of the city’s most anticipated urban transformation projects and to create a lasting legacy,” he said.
Mr Menz said it would also drive both the ongoing transformation of the suburb and investment in the area, and act as a significant catalyst for development along the adjacent Port Road corridor.
“It will also complement the nearby Bowden community and Brompton Gasworks projects,” he said.
As the master developer, Renewal SA will deliver multiple project elements in support of the successful development partner or partners. It will also undertake the delivery of more than one hectare of public open space as part of an enhanced River Torrens Linear Park.
Key objectives for the development include:
- generous inclusion of public and open spaces and a new relationship with a rejuvenated Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens corridor
- at least 20 per cent affordable housing
- integrated street, cycle, walking and public transport networks including a new shared use path connecting with the Adelaide Park Lands under Port Road
- sustainable buildings with a target of 30 per cent tree canopy coverage across the whole site
- revitalised heritage Walkerville Brew Tower, Colonel Light’s Cottage foundations and riverbank
- 6 Star Green Star Communities rating including water sensitive urban design.
The market sounding concludes on Monday, 13 February 2025.
Civil construction is expected to start by the middle of this year with the first residents anticipated to move in late 2026.