A range of visionary partners are now being sought for the $1 billion “Southwark Grounds” redevelopment at the former West End brewery site.
Renewal SA’s sales campaign launches this week, introducing a bold, two-stream model for the 1300-home development, which is set to supercharge the transformation of Adelaide’s inner west corridor.
This model is designed to attract a diverse range of development partners, ensuring flexibility and maximising speed of delivery.
“This is an unrivalled urban renewal opportunity, and we need the best developers available,” Chief Executive Chris Menz said.
The market will be presented with a two-stream mix of development opportunities, from boutique development-ready sites to a master precinct.
The mix will prioritise speed to market by targeting smaller developers for individual sites while retaining a master precinct area for a large partner to collaborate with Renewal SA as the master developer.
In the first stream, five parcels of land are available for individual purchase, suitable for a range of apartment or townhouse developments. This allows for a fast-tracked construction start while the balance of roads and open space networks are being built.
The second stream offers a rare opportunity for a single developer to deliver at least 1,000 homes across multiple fronts on a stretch of land representing about two-thirds of the 8.4-hectare site.
“We’ve come up with a model that provides for multiple opportunities for the private development market to partner with us on the overall delivery of the site at a range of different scales,” Mr Menz said.
Construction of the first homes is expected to start this year, with about 17 townhouses earmarked for the opening stage.
“The Southwark Grounds redevelopment is poised to significantly transform Adelaide’s northwestern corridor, contributing to the region’s growth and development while fostering a vibrant and sustainable community,” Mr Menz said.
“This project is not just about building homes, it’s about creating a legacy that will benefit the community for generations to come and act as a catalyst for the wider inner-west area.”
The master plan, prepared by a global consortium including Arup, Breathe Architecture and landscape designers TCL, is released today crafting a compelling and flexible vision for the site, paving the way for the sales process to start.
To kickstart the sales process, the “Southwark Grounds” brand and logo are also revealed, as the wider area undergoes consultation for a potential name change to reinstate the original suburb name of Southwark.
Skye Bayne, Renewal SA’s Executive Director of Sales and Corporate Affairs, said the new brand aimed to build place identity and attract potential buyers for when residential sales launch later this year.
“We have released our place brand vision in preparation for the first release of residential homes to be listed towards the end of this year,” Ms Bayne said.
“We’ve created an identity that recognises the many facets of the site’s history, including its time as a brewery, with the iconic heritage brewhouse forming part of the Southwark Grounds logo.”
Mr Menz said the first stage launch of townhouses targeted for the end of 2025 would also coincide with a revitalised riverbank to be known as the Riverside Gardens as well as the rejuvenation of the portion of the Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens, while initiating improved urban greening and new shared use transport path connections through to the Adelaide Park Lands.
“We have an ambitious target of having the first residents move into the area in the next two years, so we need to start work on amenities, active transport connection points, and public open space as soon as possible,” Mr Menz added.
Jack Nelligan, owner of Bloom, the closest restaurant to Southwark Grounds, has been operating on its backdoor for the last five years and is pleased to see its potential starting to be realised.
“The idea of a big residential project happening on our doorstep is really, really exciting,” he said.
Bloom opened prior to the closure of the West End Brewery in 2021, which was disappointing to Mr Nelligan, but after finding out what’s in store for its future, he’s optimistic.
“It’s a really exciting time and we’re proud to be a part of it,” he said.
Mr Menz said Renewal SA’s vision for the area was starting to mature, as work progresses on the agency’s other nearby developments.
“Southwark Grounds has a major role to play in building on what has been achieved at Bowden and the vision that will soon start to be delivered by MAB at Brompton Gasworks,” Mr Menz said.
“We are now realising the full potential of Adelaide’s inner west corridor, capitalising on the existing public transport networks and gateway to the city.”
The site of Southwark Grounds was acquired by Renewal SA in December 2023 from Lion Beer Wine & Spirits Pty Ltd through a competitive market process.
Southwark Grounds is targeting 1,300 homes, 20% of which will meet the affordable homes criteria of HomeSeeker SA and the community housing market, through a mix of townhouses and apartments, with buildings bordered by connected open space, retail, and lively hospitality offerings.
The precinct will champion sustainability, targeting a 6 Star Green Star communities rating, and require all buildings to achieve 5 Star Green Star (or equivalent) certification.
Visit southwarkgrounds.com.au for more information about the project.
Developers interested in the site should contact appointed sales agents, JLL for details visit renewalsa.sa.gov.au/invest-with-us