Fort Largs at Taperoo to be revamped and restored to include new cafe and market square

An artillery installation built to save SA from Russian invasion will finally be opened to the public – but for a much more welcoming purpose.

Port Adelaide Ennfield Council Mayor Claire Boan with Pro Seafoods’ director Jarn Jamison at Fort Largs. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt.

A historic artillery installation built to protect Adelaide from invasion will be transformed into a cafe and market space and opened to the public for the first time in its 136-year history.

State heritage-listed Fort Largs at Taperoo will be revamped and restored under a partnership between West Australian developer Peet and South Australian seafood industry identity Jarn Jamison.

The project will feature a new cafe overlooking the ocean and an events square to host community events and produce markets similar to the Adelaide Farmers’ Market at Wayville.

Peet’s SA state manager Mark Devine said the company has worked with the SA Police Historical Society, Army Museum of South Australia and Largs Bay RSL to also develop a heritage trail detailing the area’s history.

The proposed masterplan for the Fort Largs redevelopment will include a cafe, market square and refurbished heritage buildings. Supplied: PEET

“Peet’s vision is to see all of the heritage spaces at Fort Largs retained and transformed so that they can be enjoyed by the local community and be a drawcard for the LeFevre Peninsula,” he said.

The fort together with Fort Glanville down the coast were built to defend the state from potential Russian invasion.

But the guns were never used in battle and the property has been locked away from the public.

Mr Devine said the intention was to also open up the existing munitions building for private functions and public tours.

“The majority of the space will be accessible but there are some underground spaces … that are not safe for the public,” he said.

Mr Jamison, director of seafood company Pro Seafoods and House of Fish cafe at Plant 4 Bowden will manage the events space and operate the new cafe with a “strong ethos” on quality local produce, he said.

The proposed cafe and retail building at the entrance of a redeveloped Fort Largs at Taperoo. Work is expected to start in the middle of the year.

Port Adelaide Enfield Council Mayor Claire Boan said preservation of the fort was important for future generations.

Work is expected to start this year and be finished by late 2022.

Last September Peet was announced as the developer of the adjoining former Fort Largs Police Academy into a 330-home estate.

Mr Devine anticipated plans for the first stage of the project would be ready by the middle of the year.