Kaufland’s former Le Cornu site expected to attract developers
Kaufland’s shock exit from Australia has raised fears of another vacant Le Cornu site in the city. We see what could be planned for this prime location.
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A mix of local and interstate residential developers are circling a major portion of land at the former Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway, which has been left vacant following the shock exit of Kaufland from the Australian market.
The German supermarket giant has been looking for a buyer to take over 1.3ha of land at the 3.5ha site, on Leader St, behind its shelved plans for a warehouse-style supermarket.
However the planned sale, first pitched to developers in 2018, could be reviewed following the retailer’s decision to pull out of Australia.
Urban Development Institute of Australia SA chief executive Pat Gerace believes the site will attract significant interest from the development sector when a new sale campaign is launched, and is urging the local council and State Government to keep an “open mind” to proposals put forward to revitalise the area.
“It’s a wonderful site because it’s so close to the city – the proximity to the tram, the train, all the public transport and the proximity to the city make it an absolutely cracking site,” he said.
“Something really special can be created when you have a blank canvas, and the site has all the hallmarks of something really special happening there. That’s the silver lining.
“There’ll be a lot of developers interested in the site, but it’s important for the State Government and council to keep an open mind.
“To do something really special there it’s really important for them (developers) to use their imagination and not be hindered with constraints.”
Mr Gerace believes the site could be well-suited to a mix of retail, apartments and other residential development, and hopes a buyer is found to take over and master plan the entirety of the site.
“It would be a real shame if we couldn’t do something special at the site because it’s carved up into multiple parcels – that would be a lost opportunity,” he said.
“What we’ve seen has been successful across many sites in Adelaide is a blend of residential and retail – that activates a place and makes it a vibrant area where people want to be.”
International property group JLL pitched the Leader St portion of land as being ideally suited to a “staged, medium to high density residential development” that would “complement the proposed Kaufland retail development”.
“We’ve had quite a bit of interest in the site from a range of local and national residential developers,” JLL director Jed Harley told The Advertiser.
In an information memorandum sent to developers, JLL puts forward concept plans for fours separate towers up to six levels, including 318 apartments and retail shops.
The concept plans include a proposed boulevard between Leaders St and Maple Ave.
Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said the local area was in need of more residential accommodation.
“We know other people were interested in that site, Kaufland were not the only people wanting that site,” he said.
“Unley has a high demand for quality residential living – it could well be a residential developer but that could include other uses too.
“We need to have increased density of living in our suburbs but it needs to be done intelligently.
“They’ll (developers) will be encouraged by a council that’s prepared to be imaginative so I think it can be a plus-plus for everyone.”
