Renewal SA selects preferred developer for old Le Cornu site on Anzac Hwy

Renewal SA has selected its preferred consortium to develop the former Le Cornu site on Anzac Hwy, and it includes an SA supermarket icon.

The long-anticipated development of the former Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway is a step closer with Renewal SA selecting its preferred consortium to spearhead the project.

While a deal is yet to be finalised, the state government’s development body has entered into exclusive negotiations with a group comprising of local development company Buildtec, WA residential developer Peet and the Chapley family.

The involvement of the Chapleys, who have won global acclaim for their Pasadena and Frewville Foodland stores, would likely see a new supermarket occupy the site, alongside apartments, townhouses, retail shops, offices and other services.

Nick Chapley and son Spero, who run the award-winning Foodland Frewville and Pasadena supermarkets. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

While a Renewal SA spokeswoman said negotiations were ongoing, sources close to the process confirmed that unsuccessful bidders had been notified and Renewal SA was in talks with its preferred development partner. Early designs developed by Renewal SA suggest around 300 homes could be built on the 3.6ha Forestville site, with 15 per cent set aside for affordable housing.

A mix of medium and high-density housing, a supermarket and retail outlets, commercial development and public open space were envisioned for the site when Renewal SA was released it to the market in March.

The Chapleys are known for redefining the supermarket experience for customers, with the line up of live music, events, in-store dining and other offerings at its Frewville and Pasadena winning global plaudits.

Renewal SA’s Tony Cole and Katy Ellens pictured at the Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Father-son duo Nick and Spero Chapley revealed in July they were looking for a greenfield site to build a new gourmet supermarket integrated with an on-site urban farm.

Buildtec, led by the Carrocci family, is overseeing the $120m Norwood Green apartment and townhouse project at the former Caroma site on Magill Rd, while Peet is delivering residential projects including the Tonsley Village and at the former police academy site in Taperoo.

Buildtec managing director Anthony Carrocci and Spero Chapley declined to comment. Peet state manager Mark Devine did not return calls.

German supermarket giant Kaufland had paid $25m for the site in 2017, but abandoned plans to open stores across the country. It sold the property to Renewal SA in a $38.2m deal which also included a second plot of land on Churchill Rd, in Prospect.

The former Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway has remained vacant since Kaufland pulled out of Australia last year.