For months, the striking black-and-white mural by Adelaide artist Seb Humphreys has cloaked the corner of Portrush and Greenhill Roads, a bold statement that something extraordinary was quietly taking shape behind it.
Now, the curtain is lifting, and Burnside Village is alive with hundreds of tradespeople working on some of the most incredible shop fit-outs in the centre’s history, ushering in its most ambitious and luxurious chapter to date.
Glam Adelaide was given an exclusive first look behind the scenes of the development, and it is clear this is no ordinary retail expansion. It is a complete reimagining of what luxury shopping means for Adelaide.
From the soaring 2200-square-metre triangular, triple-glazed glass roof to the carefully curated mix of flagship brands, every detail speaks to a new era of elevated experience.
The first stage of this landmark development is set to open to the public on 29 May 2025, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Adelaide’s retail scene.
When speaking with Andrew Cohen, Director of Burnside Village and the Cohen Group of Companies, Gregg Downer, CEO of the Cohen Group of Companies, and Jodie Kannane, Centre GM of Burnside Village, their pride and excitement was unmistakable—though their lips remained firmly sealed about the iconic brands preparing to make this new space their Adelaide home.
“Tier one retailing is a privilege to be in. We are now on the world stage,” Andrew Cohen said.
“Adelaide is not a huge market for these brands, so we’ve had to evidence to them that Adelaide is ready, elevated, and prepared to open a luxury precinct like Burnside Village.”
“Their brand protection is unlike anything we’ve ever dealt with,” Cohen explained.
“They want full transparency and control on when, how, and who is associated with their brand. They are the best in the world for a reason.”
Attracting some of the globe’s most coveted brands has taken years of negotiation, international travel, and a relentless focus on creating a seamless luxury experience.
“The reason they’re working with us is because we can manage every customer touchpoint in the whole centre—from the amenity and the parking, to the high-tech free undercover parking, the design and delivery. Every touchpoint is designed, managed and approved by us,” Cohen said.
Burnside Village has quite literally been built around the needs of luxury brands, many of which have exacting standards around brand protection and customer experience.
Securing these partnerships was no simple process. From Sydney to Singapore, Hong Kong to Spain, France, South Korea, Japan and the US, Cohen and his team have travelled extensively to meet with global decision-makers at their headquarters.
“We needed to speak fluent Tier 1 luxury retail, and it’s taken us years to get there,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to rise to their standards.”
As part of the evolution, Burnside Village will welcome over 80 new stores, alongside a raft of new experiences for visitors.
Grand spaces have been designed not only for shopping but for events, launches and celebrations, with undercover parking and multiple access points allowing guests to walk directly into the heart of the action.
Dining options will span everything from sushi trains to restaurants with balcony views over the city, while the health and wellness precinct upstairs will offer GP services, a boutique fitness hub, private medical specialists, beauty consulting, a spa, and a large-format wellbeing centre.
Cohen and the team are particularly proud that many of the new flagship stores setting up at Burnside Village will be the only ones of their kind in South Australia.
“Most of them will only ever open one store, and this will be their home,” he said.
Zara, for example, has expanded its footprint, completed a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, and signed a 20-year lease, cementing its commitment to Burnside Village as its South Australian flagship.
Beyond the brands and the stunning architecture, there is a deep sense of legacy embedded in this project.
“This is our pinnacle. It’s our legacy,” Cohen said. “At the core of strategy is a promise. We are creating a retail destination unlike anyone has seen, and we are delivering on that promise.”
Burnside Village’s new stage is not just a shopping centre. It is a statement to South Australia and to the world that Adelaide’s luxury landscape has truly arrived.
Burnside Village
Where: 447 Portrush Road Glenside
When: The first stage of this new development will be opened on 29 May 2025
For more information, click here.
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