New plans revealed for $250m Forestville development

Developers have unveiled revised plans for the $250m housing project at the former Le Cornu site at Forestville ahead of the first apartment sales launch.

Entry to The Agora from Maple Ave. Picture: Supplied by Commercial Retail Group

Developers behind a $250m housing and retail neighbourhood at the former Le Cornu site at Forestville have revised their plans, including major changes to car parking within the precinct and a revamp of its rooftop farm.

Images of the reconfigured masterplan have been released ahead of a three-week public consultation phase, and the first release of apartments in the development.

Construction of the first townhouses commenced earlier this year, with almost two thirds already sold out.

Commercial Retail Group director Spero Chapley said key elements of the project remained unchanged, but the revised masterplan would make the rooftop urban farm more “prominent and visible”, create northern and southern pedestrianised squares, and move all commercial parking underground in a bid to improve the streetscape and reduce noise.

Masterplan changes will make the rooftop urban farm more “prominent and visible”. Picture: Supplied by Commercial Retail Group

He said the plans had already been endorsed by government agency Renewal SA.

“It’s exciting to see the project progress and evolve with construction of the townhouses, release of the first apartments and enhancements to the masterplan – all significant developments for the Forestville project,” he said.

“There’s already strong demand for apartment living at Forestville and we are confident that the reconfigured plans will deliver a much-improved project for our residents by bringing them together into the heart of the masterplan.

“They will also help better activate public space by bringing the community together into a vibrant central hub. As a family, it’s important for us to ensure we deliver on our vision and create a unique project unlike any other in South Australia, and where opportunities exist to enhance the project, we will continue to do so.”

Aerial view of the Forestville development. Picture: Supplied by Forestville

Commercial Retail Group – the family company behind the popular Frewville and Pasadena Foodland supermarkets – is partnering with developers Buildtec and Peet on the Forestville project, which will include residential, retail, hospitality, education, commercial and tourism precincts.

A market square known as The Agora will feature a supermarket, open-air cafes, eateries and specialist retailers, supporting residents in 245 apartments and 71 terrace homes to be built on the site.

There will also be short-stay apartments, a rooftop urban farm spanning more than 3600sq m and an “urban green school”, where 17–24-year-old students will learn about sustainable food production and urban farming.

The first apartments will go on sale soon, in the first of two apartment buildings, offering 93 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and four luxury penthouses.

Designed by Studio Gram, the apartments will be located alongside The Agora, with direct access to Leader St and Maple Ave. Prices will start from the low $600,000s. Construction of the apartments is expected to begin in mid-to-late 2026.

Entry to The Agora from Leader St. Picture: Supplied by Forestville