The South Australian government says more than 1,000 new homes – including at least 200 affordable properties – will be built at the former West End Brewery site in Adelaide’s inner-west.
Key points:
- The historic West End Brewery closed in 2021
- The SA government says it has reached a deal to buy the 8.4ha site from drinks giant Lion for $61.5 million
- It says the land will become a mixed-use precinct with more than 1,000 new homes
Taxpayers have acquired the 8.4 hectare site at Thebarton in a $61.5 million deal with global beverage company Lion.
The state government said construction would start in 2025, with the first residents expected to move in by 2027.
The project will retain heritage structures and the well-known Riverbank Christmas lights display.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the involvement of government agency Renewal SA would ensure affordable housing was prioritised over profit.
“We’re serious about addressing the housing supply issue and we see this site as providing another opportunity to do that,” Mr Malinauskas said.
He said the site, less than 2 kilometres from the CBD, was “strategically significant”.
“You’ve got trams, trains and buses at your doorstep, the parklands literally across the road and you’re only a couple of minutes away from the CBD,” he said.
Mr Malinauskas said the site would be developed by the private sector but master-planned by Renewal SA, similar to how the former Clipsal site was redeveloped into a mixed-use precinct at nearby Bowden.
Renewal SA is also redeveloping the site of the old Franklin Street bus station, with plans for more than 130 social and affordable apartments there.
When the West End Brewery closed in June 2021, it marked the end of 135 years of beer being brewed at the site — first as the Torrenside Brewery, then the Southwark Brewery and finally West End from 1980.
In a statement, Lion confirmed it had reached an agreement with Renewal SA.
“The sale attracted strong interest, with Renewal SA ultimately coming forward with the most commercially competitive offer,” the statement said.
“This site has been an iconic South Australian landmark since 1886 and today’s announcement will ensure this legacy lives on.”
Speaking ahead of the announcement, opposition leader David Speirs said it was a “really worrying development” and that “interfering in market-led processes” would drive up prices.
“It’s the sort of socialist intervention that you’d expect from an eastern European communist country,” Mr Speirs said.
‘Good starting point’
Adelaide resident Jo Slatter said she believed the percentage of affordable housing on offer should be higher.
“I think 50 per cent would be good to make it an equal social economic situation to give people affordable living closer to the city,” Ms Slatter said.
“I guess 20% is a good starting point but it could be higher.”
Gab Fridminas said it depended if young people would be able to purchase one of the proposed homes.
“Especially being so close to the city, I think for younger people it will be harder,” Mr Fridminas said.
“Trying to find the money and afford a place that is just hard. I guess we will have to wait and see.”
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