SA’s major shopping centre developments
From luxury fashion to discount outlets and world-renowned supermarkets, tour our map of Adelaide’s new shopping centres coming to a suburb near you.
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A multimillion-dollar revamp of Norwood Mall will open next month, featuring some big name local brands and a new state-of the art Coles supermarket.
The new retail offering forms part of the $120m COMO townhouse, apartment and commercial development on The Parade.
Accomplished hospitality operator and Argo founder Daniel Milky will open a sister venue to Hutt St patisserie Mascavado, which he took over last year, while Thomas Farms will bring its meat and seafood retail offering to the new shopping precinct.
Vintage Cellars and Boost Juice will also be among the new retailers.
The project is one of several major shopping centre developments currently under construction or being planned across the state, as developers look to capitalise on the retail revival following a Covid-affected few years.
The latest ABS retail trade figures, released on Wednesday, revealed South Australia was leading the recovery, with retail sales up 8.2 per cent in March to a record $2.27bn, compared to a national increase of 5.4 per cent.
Australasian Property Developments (APD) managing director Pep Rocca, who’s leading the COMO development, said the redevelopment of Norwood Mall had been a long time coming and would re-energise the heart of the popular shopping strip.
“The local community has been waiting for this redevelopment for 30 years and the response has been absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“What we’ve created on The Parade is a one-stop-shop for everyone – an easily accessible, personalised offering that really helps to build a strong sense of community.
“The former site was run-down and required significant attention. Considering the importance of The Parade to Adelaide and the eastern suburbs, we are delighted to be contributing to enhancing its vibrancy and vitality.
Elsewhere, a major expansion of Burnside Village is well under way, while just last week the owners of Hollywood Plaza unveiled plans for a $15m upgrade including new entrances, a new children’s play area and new food and retail spaces.
The $50m District Outlet Centre at the Parafield Airport precinct will open mid-year, closely followed by the opening of a $35m shopping centre at Lightsview later in the year.
They are part of a long list of retail developments across the state, ranging from high end fashion to suburban shops and bulky goods developments in regional areas including Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge.
Lofty group director Gary Patel, who’s heading up the Lightsview development, said the shopping centre was nearly fully leased and would feature a Drakes supermarket, sushi outlet, Indian restaurant, barber and nail salon.
He said with the move to hybrid working, people were spending more time in their local shopping centres, and that was good news for suburban retailers.
“Even though we’ve had the interest rate rises, the spending, the confidence now in the market is still solid,” he said.
“I think with more people working from home, and Lightsview being a suburb which is very new with a lot of younger people living in the area, they still want to get out for fresh air, to get a coffee, get something to eat – and that is going to drive more traffic while people keep working from home.”
Aaron London, who grew up in Norwood, was given a sneak peek of the new COMO shopping centre last week.
He said he was impressed by how it was shaping up, and it would offer the convenience valued by young families like his.
“I hadn’t been to Norwood for a little while and that area has completely changed,” he said.
“Easily accessible parking, especially if there’s pram parking as well, is important for a family like ours, and if there's a little playground or a cafe to stop and get a coffee – it’s good to have all the eggs in one basket.”
THE NEW SHOPPING CENTRES COMING TO A PLACE NEAR YOU
District Outlet Centre
Parafield Airport precinct
The $50m outlet centre will open later this year and will be home to dozens of retail brands including Strandbags, Cotton On Mega, Supre, Puma, Timberland, Sketchers and Kathmandu. DOC is described as Adelaide’s only undercover discount outlet centre, providing a similar offering to Harbour Town at West Beach. It will feature 55 fashion, sports and homewares brands across a total of 15,000sq m of retail space, as well as a food court and close to 600 car parks.
Locale
Former Le Cornu site, Forestville
The Chapley family’s Commercial Retail Group will oversee development of a “piazza-style Market Square” within a broader $250m housing development on the former Le Cornu site in Forestville. 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 their Frewville and Pasadena Foodland stores winning global plaudits. They will operate a similar store at Forestville, featuring a specialist butcher, seafood outlet, florist, artisan bakery, and a range of stores showcasing local South Australian produce, growers, farmers, fishers and food manufacturers.
COMO
Norwood
A brand new Coles supermarket and speciality retail stores will feature in a broader $120m apartment and townhouse development at the Norwood Mall site on The Parade. The project is nearing completion, with the first residents due to move in soon ahead of the retail opening later in the year.
Burnside Village expansion
Burnside
Work on a major expansion of Burnside Villages commenced last year following a two and half year delay caused by Covid-19. The expanded space will feature dozens of local, national and international retailers, as well as restaurants, cafes and a 24-hour “gym and lifestyle facility”. Cohen Group has longer term plans for another extension south of the existing shopping centre, potentially including more specialty stores, a supermarket, fresh food precinct and 350 car parks.
Hendon Central
Hendon
A new $25m shopping centre will open on Tapleys Hill Rd in May, featuring a Romeo’s Foodland supermarket and 10 specialty shops. KFC and Hungry Jack’s outlets will also operate from ‘pad sites’ within the centre’s car park area, which will include parking for 160 vehicles.
Lightsview shopping centre
Lightsview
Construction of a $35m shopping centre at Lightsview commenced last year. Anchored by a Drakes supermarket, the 3800sq m centre, on the corner of Folland Ave and Fosters Rd, will also feature eight specialty stores, and will cap off the development of one of Adelaide’s largest masterplanned suburbs.
Hollywood Plaza upgrade
Salisbury Downs
Plans for a $15m upgrade of the Hollywood Plaza shopping centre were unveiled earlier this month, with a focus on improving the centre’s sustainability credentials. It will include the installation of 4000 solar panels, improved airconditioning, low energy lighting and water saving fixtures – making it one of Adelaide’s first carbon neutral shopping centres. There will also be new entrances, a new children’s play area and new food and retail spaces. The renovations are due for completion at the end of 2023.
Eighty Eight O’Connell
North Adelaide
Iconic South Australian food retailer Mercato will be the flagship tenant in the residential component of the Eighty Eight O’Connell apartment development in North Adelaide. The store – which will spread across 850sq m – will feature Mercato’s Italian retail section along with a restaurant and bar. A number of other eateries, retailers and service providers are earmarked for the development, which is set for completion in 2025.
Hallett Cove Shopping Centre expansion
Hallett Cove
The new owner of the Hallett Cove Shopping Centre, Antunes Group, has started work on an $18m revamp of the centre after years of store closures and shop vacancies. The expansion will feature a revamped dining precinct, new stores and an outdoor children’s play area. New local and national retailers have been secured for some of the centre’s more than 50 speciality shops, including The Reject Shop and homewares and gift shop chain Kaisercraft.
Unley Central
Unley
Developers unveiled plans for a $150m apartment, retail and cinema complex on Unley Rd in 2020. The project has faced a series of delays after being mired in a legal stoush with a neighbouring shopping centre owner, and a construction start date is still uncertain. It would replace the current Target store on Unley Road, and would feature a supermarket, wellness centre, specialty stores, eateries, offices and an entertainment hub.
Tonsley Village retail hub
Tonsley
A $47m retail, lifestyle and office hub will be built at the old Mitsubishi factory site in Tonsley after it secured council approval last September. It will feature a supermarket, cafes, restaurants, specialty shops and a multi-level gym and indoor bouldering facility to be operated by V2 Fit. About 5700sq m of office accommodation will also be offered across three upper levels.
Palms Retail Village Centre
Riverlea
Construction has commenced on an $80m retail and lifestyle precinct within the $3bn Riverlea housing development in Adelaide’s north. The retail hub will include a childcare centre, supermarket, cafes, medical services, a pilates studio and a gym. It is expected to open in early 2024.
Aston Hills Shopping Centre
Mount Barker
The new shopping centre will service the booming Adelaide Hills population after opening its doors for the first time in March. Anchored by a Drakes supermarket, the 6600sq m centre is also home to a butcher, hairdresser, Schnithouse restaurant, Snap Fitness centre and specialty stores. The centre is located next to the Summit Sport Park.
Fort Largs market
Taperoo
Plans for a mixed-use retail and hospitality precinct at the heart of the $150m Fort Largs housing development were revealed in March, featuring a local fresh produce market that will showcase the best South Australian produce. A revamp of the historic fort and its heritage buildings has started and will include an eatery and market developed in a partnership between housing developer Peet and local seafood identity Jarn Jamison. The market will open to the public by the end of the year, and will also feature local creative stalls and independent studio spaces.
Market Square
CBD
Major works on the $400m Adelaide Central Market Arcade redevelopment will begin in June after the council recently approved design changes. The project – named Market Square – includes new retail spaces, offices, a hotel and apartments. The revamped retail offering is due to be complete in 2025, and will include a range of food, wine and homewares shops, as well as restaurants, cafes, bars and a new supermarket.
Morphettville Racecourse development
Morphettville
Details of a $350m redevelopment of Morphettville Racecourse were announced in February, with the South Australian Jockey Club (SAJC) selecting developer Villawood Properties and superannuation company Hostplus to redevelop 7.5ha of land between the racetrack and Anzac Highway. The project will feature a plaza area, apartments, townhouses, new tavern and a retail hub with supermarket, eateries and specialty shops. Work is expected to start on the redevelopment next year.
Newton Village expansion
Newton
Construction on a $20m expansion of the Newton Village shopping centre is expected to begin soon after it received development approval late last year. The expansion will include space for specialty retailers, a rooftop restaurant, two large format retail spaces, two “pad” sites and additional parking. There will be more than 3000sq m of additional retail space.
Home at Mount Gambier
Mount Gambier
Local developer Commercial & General unveiled its plans for a $30m homemaker centre in Mount Gambier late last year. Tenants are currently being sought for the 12,000sq m complex, located at the former Fletcher Jones manufacturing site on Jubilee Highway. Construction is expected to be completed early next year.
Central Pier
Port Adelaide
The 12ha master planned site will feature a range of retail and lifestyle brands when it opens next year. Tenants are currently being sought for showrooms and other spaces within the development, on the corner of Port River Expressway and Perkins Drive, ahead of an expected completion date early next year.
Payneham bulky goods centre
Payneham
Construction of an $11m bulky goods retail complex on the former Schweppes factory site in Payneham is nearing completion. The centre will include six stores in one building bounded by Payneham Rd, Thelma St and Lewis Rd, and a seventh store in a stand-alone building on Ashbrook Ave.
Murray Bridge bulky goods centre
Murray Bridge
A new bulky goods retail complex in Murray Bridge is expected to be completed later this year. The site, on the main road leading into the town centre, will feature a series of showrooms and 67 car parks.
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