Interested developers have less than a week to provide their input into the future of a city-shaping residential project northwest of Adelaide.

Market sounding is set to close on Thursday 13 February for the Thebarton/Southwark development on the site of the former West End Brewery on Port Road.

The state government-owned development is targeting up to 1,300 apartments and townhouses, 20% of which will be classified as affordable.

Chris Menz, Renewal SA’s Chief Executive, said the agency was looking for innovative developers to help shape the project and make their mark in South Australia.

“This offers a great opportunity for those savvy developers and investors willing to invest on the ground floor of a new project and be part of something that will leave a legacy for our state and the city of Adelaide,” Mr Menz said.

The market sounding process, which began in late December, provides a forum for potential developers and investors to give feedback on the draft master plan developed by design, engineering and sustainability consultancy Arup.

Submissions made during market sounding will be considered in the final refinements to the master plan, due for completion in early 2025.

Chantal Milton, Renewal SA’s Development Director for Thebarton/Southwark, who has also played a leading role in the agency’s nearby Bowden project, said industry input was key in delivering a successful final result.

“We are looking for people to tell us what they would need to make a project feasible, and what needs to change about our master plan,” she said.

“We really want to hear the industry’s feedback and have an open and transparent market sounding process.

“We want to deliver the absolute best project we can, and we need to do that in partnership with the development sector.”

The 8.4-hectare development located 2km from the Adelaide CBD is set to transform the former brewery site into a mixed-use community and aims to set a new standard for inner-city living.

On completion in 2035, it’s anticipated to be home to around 2,000 people and feature retail, commercial, hospitality, and community spaces.

Last month, the state government revealed plans to rename the suburb in and around the development as Southwark, following a period of community consultation, which closes on 6 March.

In terms of the wider project, Renewal SA undertook the first stages of community engagement in mid-2024, presenting plans to surrounding residents and businesses through online forums and community drop-in sessions.

Early feedback revealed strong support for the concept, focused primarily on some of the key goals of the development, including project sustainability, rejuvenation of the nearby riverbank, general design, mixed-use buildings, and affordable housing options.

Prominent neighbourhood figures have also thrown their support behind the project, with the suburb’s best restaurant (according to TripAdvisor) calling the development an exciting opportunity for the neighbourhood.

Jack Nelligan, owner of nearby restaurant Bloom, has been operating in Thebarton on the backdoor of the new Southwark development for the last five years.

Mr Nelligan said he was very enthusiastic about the volume of residents on his doorstep.

“The reality of potentially 2,000 people moving into the area is super exciting,” he said.

Mr Nelligan is also keen on the expansion of hospitality offerings, hoping to see more venues within the development to build on the profile of the up-and-coming suburb.

“The idea of more hospitality venues is really positive. We want other hospitality venues coming into the area, helping to create the Southwark identity as a real destination,” he said.

Real estate firm JLL has been appointed by Renewal SA to run the independent market sounding process, canvassing Thebarton/Southwark for the development industry.

With the market sounding ending soon, Renewal SA will quickly move to seek proposals from interested development partners, aiming for agreements to be executed this year.

Mr Menz said it was important for the developments progress to maintain momentum, hoping for the first homes to hit the market in 2025.

“We understand the need for speed to market and the speed for construction,” Mr Menz said.

“Accordingly, we are seeking for the launch of the first homes this year.

“We are also seeking construction to start this year, and we are interested in what the market has to say about that, and what the market thinks it will need to achieve that.”

As the master developer, Renewal SA will deliver multiple project elements in support of the successful development partner or partners, as well as undertake the delivery of more than one hectare of public open space as part of an enhanced River Torrens Linear Park.