Southwark Grounds

Located on Port Road, just two kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, this landmark $1 billion mixed-use precinct will feature residential, retail, commercial, hospitality, and community spaces.

The site is bordered by the Adelaide Park Lands and Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens and close to key institutions including the Royal Adelaide Hospital, the future Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Adelaide BioMed City.

The master plan envisions generous public open spaces, including the integration of the state heritage-listed Riverside Gardens into an enhanced River Torrens linear park.

The precinct, named Southwark Grounds, will celebrate the site’s rich heritage while delivering a modern, connected, and sustainable urban environment.

With direct access to major transport links and close proximity to employment hubs, cultural institutions, and sporting venues, Southwark Grounds will blend historic character with contemporary design.

Key heritage elements, including the iconic Walkerville Brew Tower, the foundations of Colonel William Light’s ‘Theberton’ Cottage, and First Nations cultural heritage, will be respectfully incorporated into the precinct’s identity.

A government-led development model will unlock significant opportunities for private sector participation across planning, design, civil works, development and construction.

The vision for Southwark Grounds includes:

• up to 1,300 new dwellings, with 20% designated as affordable housing
• over 15% public open space, including a rejuvenated Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens
• integrated street, cycling, walking, and public transport networks, including a new shared-use path under Port Road connecting to the Adelaide Park Lands
• sustainable buildings within an ecological setting, targeting 30% tree canopy coverage
• revitalised heritage assets including the Walkerville Brew Tower, ‘Theberton’ Cottage foundations and Riverside Gardens
• a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating, with a 5 Star Green Star benchmark for all buildings.

• In 2023, Renewal SA acquired the 8.4-hectare former West End Brewery site at Thebarton from Lion Beer Wine & Spirits Pty Ltd.
• In April 2025, Renewal SA went to market for development partners to partner with us to deliver five boutique, development-ready sites and a larger, single master-planned precinct.
• Civil works are scheduled to commence in 2025, with the first stage to feature a series of architect-designed townhouses.

Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens holds profound ecological and cultural significance, nurtured by the Kaurna people for tens of thousands of years. Known as the ‘red gum forest river’ in Kaurna language, the local riverbanks served as a vital resource for crafting tools and gathering.

Through an understanding and respect for Country, Southwark Grounds will deliver meaningful rejuvenation of this part of the Karrawirra Parri / River Torrens that invites exploration and recreation while delivering contemporary practices in environmental care.

The site’s layered history includes the original suburb of Southwark, established in 1881 as Adelaide’s first expansion beyond the city’s initial boundaries and home to Colonel Light’s ‘Theberton’ Cottage.

Over time, cottages and residential living gave way to industry, including the Torrenside Brewery, Walkerville Brewery, and later, the West End Brewery. The West End Brewery closed in June 2021, marking the end of 135 years of brewing operations on the site.

Several areas of heritage significance from this period will be preserved and highlighted, including:

• Walkerville Brew Tower (including Copper Kettle, currently in storage)
• former Electricity Transformer building
• footings of Colonel William Light’s Cottage (‘Theberton Cottage’)
• Riverside Gardens.

The remnants of Colonel William Light’s homestead were discovered during demolition works following the brewery’s closure. The footings have been preserved in line with advice provided by conservation specialists who have worked in consultation with archaeologists and Heritage SA.

Renewal SA is committed to engaging key stakeholders and the local community throughout the life of the project.

Following the Code Amendment community engagement in mid-2023, which captured community ideas and aspirations, a draft master plan was developed. In September 2024, Renewal SA invited community feedback on the draft. The materials shared and the engagement report are available in the Resources section below.

Renewal SA is dedicated to incorporating and celebrating First Nations culture on the site and will continue to engage with the Kaurna community, ensuring that Culture and Country are respectfully embedded in the project.

The Southwark name has been reinstated across the project site and surrounding streets to honour its heritage and support the return of a thriving residential community. The new suburb of Southwark spans more than 26 hectares and includes the surrounding streets.

Southwark Grounds has previously been referred to as Thebarton, which is reflected in the resources below.