This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE South Australian government has acquired the former West End Brewery site from Lion for $61.5 million and proposed a $1 billion project to deliver 1,000 new homes, including at least 20% of affordable housing.
The government’s Renewal SA will commence detailed master-planning of the 8.4-hectare Thebarton site early next year with civil works to follow. The brewery closed in June 2021, marking the end of 135 years of brewing operations on the famed site. Beer was first brewed there in 1886 as the Torrenside Brewery.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the former brewery site represents an incredible opportunity to develop a prime site near the city.
“Importantly, the state government masterplanning this site ensures the community’s needs will be prioritised, while also providing lucrative opportunities for local workers and businesses.
“Everyone deserves a place to call home and this development will make that dream a reality for thousands of South Australians,” he added.
Minister for Planning Nick Champion said the government will draw inspiration from other urban infill projects like Bowden to create a world-class precinct.
“It is almost unheard of to get an infill site of this scale in any capital city, so we seized the opportunity,” said Champion.
Located just 2km from the CBD and 7km from Adelaide Airport, the site boasts a 250-metre frontage to arterial Port Road.
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Renewal SA chief executive Chris Menz said adoption of a government-led delivery model will provide opportunities for private sector participation at various stages including throughout planning, design, civil works and building and construction activities.
The planned mixed-used precinct will prioritise housing, with opportunities for significant commercial, hospitality, retail and government tenancies building a vibrant new community and daytime economy.
It will preserve the site’s historic structures, including the Walkerville Brewhouse and feature the brewery’s former Electricity Transformer building and the plaque depicting the site of Colonel Light’s cottage (currently in storage), which are Local Heritage Places.
The much-loved Riverbank Christmas Lights Display, on the south bank of the River Torrens, will also be retained. The event, which continues to attract approximately 300,000 visitors annually, is currently under the custodianship of the City of West Torrens – with that arrangement expected to continue.
The $1 billion project is estimated to create 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs during construction, peaking at 1,200 per year, plus around 187 new ongoing retail jobs once complete. Construction is set to start in 2025, with dwellings available for sale that same year and first residents moving in by 2027.
