Lion proposes apartment buildings for former West End brewery site on Port Rd

A rezoning push for the West End brewery site is a “once in a generation opportunity” to transform the area into a “world-class lifestyle precinct”. Find out what’s proposed.

Aerial view of the West End brewery site at Port Rd, Thebarton.

Apartments up to eight storeys high are being envisaged for the former West End brewery site as part of a rezoning push led by brewing giant Lion.

Details of Lion’s proposed code amendment have been published for public consultation.

The company is seeking to change 7.7ha of land currently zoned for industrial use to an Urban Corridor (Boulevard) zoning, which would enable a mix of medium to high-density housing, shops, restaurants and commercial development.

Concept plans prepared to support the code amendment propose a mix of building heights ranging from up to eight storeys in the northeastern half of the site, including along Port Rd and near the brewery gardens, to three and four storeys in the southwestern half.

In its code amendment report, planning consultancy Ekistics says Lion’s proposal would facilitate a diverse choice of housing in a “vibrant precinct that celebrates its heritage fabric and unique history”.

The West End brewery site before demolition and decommissioning. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“The code amendment will investigate a suitable policy framework that will facilitate a compatible mix of medium to high density residential development in a combination of low rise (1-2 storey), medium rise (3-6 storey) and high rise (over 7 storey) built form along with non-residential uses including commercial, entertainment, small scale retail and food and beverage land uses (supermarket less than 2000sq m),” the report says.

“Importantly, the code amendment will help facilitate a once in a generation opportunity to transform almost 8ha of ageing industrial stock into a unique world-class lifestyle precinct.”

In a letter approving Lion’s proposal to initiate the code amendment, Planning Minister Nick Champion says final approval would require building heights of at least four storeys along Port Rd.

He suggests height limits across the site should be “as high as feasible” within Adelaide Airport safety requirements.

Lion is also proposing to expand the Open Space zone that currently protects the State Heritage-listed brewery gardens to also include the southern bank of the River Torrens, between Holland St and Port Rd.

Lion’s code amendment proposes to extend the Open Space zone that protects the West End brewery gardens. Picture: Supplied

Its concept plans envisage an underpass below Hindmarsh Bridge that would enable cyclist and pedestrian access from the brewery site to the Adelaide parklands east of Port Rd.

Lion says its code amendment would also encourage the conservation and adaptive reuse of State and Local Heritage assets including the Walkerville Brewhouse Tower and the remains of Colonel Light’s former residence Thebarton Hall.

The company is currently decommissioning the former West End site following the brewery’s closure in 2021. Brewing had taken place there since 1886.

The 8.4ha property was put on the market in October, and it is understood a shortlist of local and interstate developers has been selected for further negotiations.

Lion would not comment on the sales process.

Public consultation on the code amendment closes on April 14.