Bowden is serving as a model for urban renewal and inner city living, mixing the past with the future, blending history, culture and sustainability into a smarter way to live.
- Project Type
- Residential
- Project Status
- Underway
- Timeline
- 2008 - 2035
- Zoning
- Master Planned Neighbourhood
About the project
Located 2.5km from the Adelaide CBD on the former Clipsal and Origin Gasworks sites, Bowden is redefining the way people live in Adelaide. It’s about a vibrant community, innovative design, inspiring environment and living life to the full.
Encompassing 16.3 hectares, Bowden is connected in every sense. A walkable community with a focus on people, it has been designed to feature shared streets and open spaces. Bowden is re-emerging as a vibrant, inner-city designation, where people can live without a car, yet stay connected in every way. Everyday essentials, dining and entertainment options are all within easy reach.
The tram and train are right on Bowden’s doorstep, with the CBD only one train stop away. Walking tracks and bike trails, along with the River Torrens Linear Park trail, makes the city, foothills and beach all within easy reach.
Sustainability is also at the forefront of Bowden's ethos with a 6-star Green Star Community Rating, with all buildings achieving a 5-star Green Star Buildings rating.
Affordable Housing
15%
Estimated jobs created
1,700
Commercial/retail floorspace
6,000m2
Objectives and outcomes
As the State Government’s first higher-density urban infill project, Bowden reflects our commitment to creating a new urban form. It shows how putting humans at the centre of design can create places where people are drawn to live, work and play.
Since launch, Bowden has become a multi-award-winning development that has set new standards for urban design that is truly people-focused. It showcases the benefits of public and private sector working together to produce both an inspiring place to live and strong commercial outcomes for those who invest.
The project is bordered by parklands and maximises convenience, accessibility and sustainability with outstanding links to the CBD and surrounds.
The project has continued to adapt and change in line with evolving market expectations.
Former Brompton Gasworks site
Renewal SA has held a long-term vision to see the former Brompton Gasworks site remediated and transformed into a vibrant, healthy and active area as part of the Bowden redevelopment.
In 2021, we sought interest from external parties on development options for the site to take advantage of the increased interest we were receiving from both local and interstate parties.
Following an open and public competitive tender process the highly regarded developer MAB Corporation was selected as the Preferred Proponent for the acquisition, remediation, and development of the historic land parcel.
You can read more about MAB Corporation’s vision here and register to receive updates on site progress and future sales at Brompton Gasworks.
Stakeholders and community
Consistent and meaningful engagement with stakeholders and the local community has been a hallmark of the Bowden project since its inception.
This has continued with the recent market release of the former Brompton Gasworks site, where the process was heavily informed by community input through forums, drop-in sessions and formal engagement.
Community and stakeholder engagement around this project will continue to ensure feedback is incorporated. MAB is committed to ongoing community and stakeholder engagement to ensure everyone is aware of what’s happening and can continue to have input throughout the various phases of the project’s development.
MAB Corporation is required to coordinate and undertake further community engagement as part of this project.
These plans can all be viewed in the Resources section below.
Heritage and culture
Bowden has a proudly productive history, occupying the former Clipsal and Origin Gasworks sites.
In 2015, a section within the Bowden Heritage Precinct was provisionally entered into the State Heritage Register as a State Heritage Place. This listing was confirmed in October 2018 (it is important to note that in accordance with the former Development Act 1993, development applications relating to provisional entries are assessed the same as confirmed entries).
Site works commenced in August 2018 with the demolition of other structures to enable broader development, improve accessibility through the precinct and showcase retained heritage structures. This will also help to connect the precinct with other stages of the Bowden project, delivering on the Bowden Master Plan’s commitment to connectivity.
The former Brompton Gasworks site will be completely remediated with the removal of significant soil contamination from the site, making it safe not only for current residents but also for future generations.
Resources
- Bowden In Focus: Community Update #2 (2.8MB PDF)
- Bowden In Focus: Community Update #1 (1.1MB PDF)
- Remediation community drop-in sessions display boards (7.1MB PDF)
- Environmental Controls Fact Sheet (226KB PDF)
- Gas Remediation Investigative Works Notification #1 (193KB PDF)
- Public Open Space Community Drop-In Session Display Boards (17.1MB PDF)
- Heritage Update (894KB PDF)