Ex-Le Cornu site at Forestville to be transformed into $250m residential, retail hub called Locale

The complete vision for a staggering $250m transformation of the old Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway has been revealed, showing housing, holiday accommodation and a rooftop farm.

More than 300 apartments and townhouses, tourist accommodation, a rooftop urban farm and an urban green school will feature as part of a $250m redevelopment of the former Le Cornu site in Forestville.

Developers have now unveiled their full vision for the 3.6ha site on Anzac Highway, and plan to kick off construction in 2024. Known as Locale, the development will include:

A MARKET Square with supermarket, open-air cafes, eateries and specialist retailers;

ABOUT 199 apartments and 106 townhouses;

SHORT-STAY apartments to cater for tourism, corporate and wellbeing sectors;

URBAN Green School, where students will learn about sustainable food production, urban farming and business skills;

A ROOFTOP Urban Farm practising regenerative agriculture and managed by students from the Urban Green School; and

THIRTY per cent open and green space, with half of that created via rooftop activations including the urban farm.

An aerial artist impression of the $250m Locale development plan for the former Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway at Forestville. Picture: Supplied by Renewal SA

An artist impression showing part of the $250m Locale development’s 200 apartments. Picture: Renewal SA

A consortium comprising of the Chapley family’s Commercial Retail Group, Perth-based housing developer Peet and local group Buildtec has been selected to develop the site.

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.

Commercial Retail Group director Spero Chapley said the consortium’s vision was to create a project and experience “unrivalled in Australia”.

“The consortium’s vision is to create a project and experience unrivalled in Australia with a master plan that incorporates a bustling, piazza-style Market Square at its heart, eateries, Urban Green School and rooftop urban farm and residential living,” he said.

“This is a 100 per cent new build, but it will be designed to integrate with the surrounding locality, enhancing the broader suburb of Forestville.”

The Urban Green School will offer 250 placements and a minimum of 50 apprenticeship and traineeship places in the first three years.

Artist impression showing one of the open spaces, planned for the $250m Locale development at the former Le Cornu site on Anzac Highway. Picture: Renewal SA

It will be operated by Youth Inc. – the training organisation Mr Chapley established in 2006 to provide education pathways for young people who have disengaged with the traditional school system.

The residential component of the project will be delivered by Peet and Buildtec, and will include new residential and retail spaces on Leader St and Maple Ave.

A supermarket similar to the Chapleys’ acclaimed Foodland stores in Frewville and Pasadena will form the centrepiece of the market square, and will feature a specialist butcher, seafood outlet, florist, artisan bakery.

A range of other stores in the retail precinct will showcase local South Australian produce, growers, farmers, fishers and food manufacturers.

The first stage of construction, including the market square, urban farm and townhouses is expected to begin in 2024, with the entire project expected to be completed by 2029.

An artist impression showing inside the supermarket planned for the market square. Picture: Renewal SA

Artist impression of piazza-style ‘Market Square’ to be developed at the former Le Cornu site on Anzac Hwy. Picture: Renewal SA

Artist impression of the ‘Market Square’, which forms the centrepiece of the $250m former Le Cornu site development. Picture: Renewal SA

It is estimated the development would create 900 direct and indirect jobs during construction, and 500 ongoing jobs across retail, services, education and hospitality.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Nick Champion said the winning consortium’s plans represented a “bold vision” for the long-dormant site.

“This project is transformative. It will be the catalyst for urban regeneration and set the

tone for future development and investment in the southwest corner of Adelaide,” he said.

“The design recognises and addresses our changing climate, supports urban infill growth adjacent to world renowned parklands and transport links at Goodwood and Adelaide Showground, and services the state’s increasing need for quality housing.”

Community engagement on a draft master plan is expected to begin in October.

Originally published as Ex-Le Cornu site at Forestville to be transformed into $250m residential, retail hub called Locale