The familiar silhouette of the former West End Brewery site is poised for a dramatic transformation, as plans solidify for a vibrant new neighbourhood named “Southwark Grounds”. Construction dust is set to fly later this year on the first of 1300 homes, marking a significant new chapter for this patch of inner-west Adelaide, with the earliest residents expected to unpack their boxes by the end of 2026.
Unveiling the masterplan and branding this week, the SA Government, through Renewal SA, is signalling its intent to move quickly. “We urgently need more homes, and Southwark Grounds will be a world class-development for people to live and work on the doorstep of the Adelaide CBD,” shared Premier Peter Malinauskas. “The Government is getting on with the job of transforming this site quickly, in partnership with the private sector, so that people can start calling this place home at the end of next year.”
To achieve this, a sales campaign targeting private developers launches this week, offering a clever two-stream approach across the sprawling 8.4-hectare site. Five distinct land parcels are up for grabs individually, paving the way for smaller developers to fast-track apartment or townhouse construction while essential infrastructure takes shape. Simultaneously, a larger opportunity beckons a single development partner to deliver at least 1,000 homes across roughly two-thirds of the site, collaborating closely with the government. The first tangible sign of construction will be 17 townhouses breaking ground in the site’s western portion.
Housing Minister Nick Champion described the unveiling as a key moment. “The release of the masterplan and the Southwark Grounds branding is an important milestone in the evolution of this generational project,” he said. “Having already conducted a market sounding exercise, the State Government is now inviting the private sector to give us their best pitch to be involved in this project… Running a mix of development opportunities provides the private sector with multiple opportunities to make their mark on this site and ensures this project is delivered in a timely fashion.”
This billion-dollar-plus project isn’t just about volume; it’s about community. A significant 20 percent of homes are earmarked for first home buyers and lower-income earners via HomeSeeker SA. “The billion-dollar housing development will transform the inner west and be the ideal place for first home buyers and essential workers to call home,” the Premier added. Local Member for West Torrens, Tom Koutsantonis, echoed this sentiment: “Southwark Grounds is an important project that will create a vibrant new community in a highly desirable part of our city.”
Beyond homes, the vision embraces green living. The first townhouses are set to coincide with the emergence of a revitalised riverbank precinct dubbed “Riverside Gardens,” alongside rejuvenation efforts for the adjacent River Torrens stretch. Plans also include expanding the popular River Torrens Linear Park Trail, potentially adding another 6000 square metres of leafy public space. “Not only will this deliver 1300 new homes, it will increase green public space in the area and improve connectivity to the Park Lands and Linear Trail,” Mr Koutsantonis noted, highlighting the site’s enviable proximity to the city, parks, and transport links.
This ambitious undertaking promises substantial economic spinoffs, generating an estimated 4,000 construction jobs and over a hundred ongoing retail and hospitality roles within its planned mixed-use zones. As consultation continues on potentially reinstating the historical suburb name of Southwark for the area, one thing is clear: a new community hub is brewing.
For more details, visit www.southwarkgrounds.com.au.
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