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Bowden

Our flagship development at Bowden strongly 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 recreate.

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About BowdenSnapshotProject progressProject targetsBowden Heritage PrecinctPartners + investorsNews
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About Bowden

Bowden will, without doubt, serve as a model for urban renewal and inner city living for South Australia and beyond for years to come.

Leading design principles are at the heart of Bowden’s ethos. All buildings meet 5 star Green Star As Built standards and are reviewed by a six-member panel of architects.

Bowden is the state government’s first higher density urban infill project. Located 2.5 kilometres from Adelaide’s CBD on 16 hectares of land bordered by parklands, the project sets new standards in urban renewal.

Bowden is becoming an exciting integration of contemporary building and design innovation, adding to an already established community rich in culture and heritage.

The precinct’s earthy and gritty character is reflected through the use of unfinished and recycled materials complemented by a natural colour palette for buildings and streetscapes.

Bowden’s heritage of a once-thriving mixed use community is returning with the first residents now living in their new homes. The site is re-emerging as a place that’s once again full of life and action.

Its new streets are designed for pedestrians and bikes, with green open spaces and parks and easy access to public transport and other amenities.

The Bowden precinct is designed to be a safe, walkable urban neighbourhood a stone’s throw from the city. It provides energy efficient housing, affordable housing, and fosters a strong, diverse community.

Snapshot

Snapshot

  • Project size

    16 hectares

  • Allotments sold

    20

  • Homes sold

    680+

  • Dwellings under construction

    319

  • Homes completed

    403

  • Council

    Charles Sturt

  • Distance from the CBD

    2.5 kilometres

  • Renewal SA investment

    $264 million

  • Local/national developers invested

    13

  • New residents

    700+

  • Project commenced

    2008

  • Forecast completion

    2026

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More information

With the first residents moved in, the project is realising its vision

Project progress

Twenty separate residential and commercial projects now in various stages of development.

The first affordable housing projects are now complete providing accommodation for key city workers.

The first and second stage shared streets and parks are complete and open to the public. Stage 3 and 6 of civil construction began in April 2018.

Bowden Seven by Rossdale Homes was awarded South Australia’s first 5 star Green Star building design certification.

Terraces on Sixth by Rivergum Homes is Australia’s first Green Star certified townhouse development, with a 5 star rating.

The Prince’s Terrace, by Defence Housing Australia and The Prince’s Foundation, is the first residential project to receive a ‘6 star rating’ from Green Building Council of Australia.

Continued growth of Plant 4, a thriving community hub attracting thousands of visitors each week.

Bowden Park and Kevin Taylor Park complete and the Adelaide Park Lands and Emu Park now upgraded.

Community garden completed.

Upgrade to the adjacent parklands complete with sporting and barbecue facilities.

Project targets

Achieve a mixed use, walkable community of mid-rise apartments.

Completion of at least 15 per cent affordable housing for purchase and/or rent.

Develop the project’s main street.

Remediation and reuse of the historical former Origin gas works site including the reuse of heritage buildings.

Supporting and building on the strong sense of creativity and community that radiates throughout Bowden with a collaborative placemaking approach.

Bowden Heritage Precinct

The redevelopment of the former gasworks site now known as the Bowden Heritage Precinct is the next phase in the transformation of this former industrial area into a popular city fringe suburb that honours and enhances its rich heritage.

The site, formerly operated by Origin Energy, totals six hectares and is bounded by the Outer Harbor Railway Line, Drayton, Chief and Second Streets.

A strategy has been developed to retain eight structures of heritage and cultural significance, reflecting the fabric of the Bowden area. The precinct will balance heritage and contemporary architecture to celebrate the industrial character of the site.

Work is now underway to transform what has long been a derelict and fenced-off industrial site into a lively, pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood combining retail, commercial, residential and community activity.

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Site investigation and remediation

Several supplementary environmental site investigations were undertaken to refine the understanding of the site contamination issues and the risk-based, site-specific remediation strategy for the site.

Further investigations are currently being undertaken onsite, ahead of remediation work starting in early 2020 to ensure the site is suitable for its intended use.

Renewal SA held two drop-in sessions on 31 July and 3 August 2019 for the local community to learn about the upcoming remediation of the former Brompton Gasworks site (Bowden Heritage Precinct).

This gave locals the opportunity to learn about this phase of the redevelopment from Renewal SA, remediation contractor Ventia, consultant Senversa and EPA-accredited auditor Bluesphere Environmental.

For further information on remediation, please call Ventia’s Community Contact Line at 1800 009 414 or email bromptonremediation@ventia.com.au

Remediation

Heritage considerations

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 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.

Community engagement

While the remediation takes place, Renewal SA will be planning the design of the public open space at the State Heritage Place within the larger Bowden Heritage Precinct.

There will be three opportunities for community members to provide input and share ideas with the consultants who are working on the public realm design, as well as the project team.

Find all the details on our dedicated Bowden Heritage Precinct engagement hub on Social Pinpoint.

How to have your say

With Stage 1 now complete, you can read the Guiding Principles, which were developed by ASPECT Studios based on your feedback and ideas. You can also download two engagement reports — from public engagement and from targeted engagement with young people to gain their perspective.

In Stage 2 — planned for late 2020/early 2021 — you will have the opportunity to view and provide feedback on concept design options.

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on the Bowden Heritage Precinct including opportunities to get involved in the next stage of engagement.

More about Bowden Heritage Precinct

Partners + investors

Partners + investors

News

Works Program helps George find a future in construction

11 August 2020 in Bowden, Tonsley, Works Program news

George Flomo’s childhood dream of working in a bank never came true—and he couldn’t be more delighted. Thanks to Renewal SA’s Works Program and the support of local industry, he’s discovered where his true passion lies—working with his hands in the building industry.

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Stars of sustainability

12 June 2020 in Bowden, Tonsley, Lot Fourteen

These stars in Adelaide’s sustainability firmament make living and working kind for people and the planet through thoughtful design and delivery.

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Industrial hubs and hospitals reborn through adaptive reuse

18 February 2020 in Bowden, Tonsley, Lot Fourteen, Adaptive Reuse

The transformation of the Tonsley Mitsubishi assembly building into the home of future industries, Clipsal’s components factory in Bowden’s Plant 4 market and the former Royal Adelaide Hospital into SA’s innovation neighbourhood all demonstrate the potential of adaptive reuse to repurpose sites for modern uses while retaining their value.

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