A former industrial site is being reborn as one of Adelaide’s most sustainable new neighbourhoods, with 800-plus new homes, retained heritage features and affordable housing options.
For young South Australians dreaming of a place near the city that doesn’t cost a fortune, Brompton might soon top the list.
The former gasworks site is being transformed by MAB in partnership with Renewal SA, the state government’s urban development agency.
MAB will create a vibrant new neighbourhood just 3km from the CBD, with more than 800 homes planned, including townhouses, apartments and affordable housing. The new residential community is set to be delivered via 100 per cent renewable energy.
It’s one of South Australia’s most ambitious urban renewal projects, blending heritage buildings with green design to create a community that feels both new and familiar.
A new neighbourhood takes shape
The $459 million redevelopment is located in the broader Bowden urban renewal project. The Gasworks Brompton will transform this inner-west pocket into a lively, sustainable precinct – with walkable streets, creative energy and a strong sense of place.
Here’s what’s planned:
- Around 800 homes, including townhouses and low-rise apartments
- At least 15 per cent affordable housing, prioritised for eligible South Australians earning under $70,000 (or $100,000 for couples and families)
- A hotel, retail spaces and an employment hub
- Open green spaces across 25 per cent of the site
- A heritage precinct which will see heritage structures repurposed for cafes, restaurants and general retailers.
- Heritage features like the retort house and Chief Street wall integrated into the design
- Walking and cycling links connecting the precinct to Bowden and beyond.
Early release of townhouses are currently available with the remainder set to be released early in 2026, with Nightingale Apartments to follow.
From industrial fallout to clean slate
When gas production at the Brompton Gasworks ended in the early 2000s, it left behind a challenging legacy – contaminated soil and ageing infrastructure from more than a century of industrial use.
To make the site safe for homes and parks, thousands of tonnes of soil were excavated, treated and tested – much of it under a giant 5,000m² remediation tent, the largest of its kind in South Australia.
Inside, heavy machinery worked in sealed conditions while specialist crews filtered, washed and stabilised the soil for reuse on site.
That enormous job is now complete, and the land has been remediated ready for redevelopment.
Some of the site’s heritage structures – including the red-brick retort house and the 250-metre Chief Street wall – have also been restored, giving the new neighbourhood a distinct character that connects its past to its future.
A neighbourhood built for the future
This development isn’t just about adding housing – it’s about how we build smarter.
The Gasworks Brompton aims for a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating, the highest benchmark for sustainable neighbourhood design in Australia.
That means:
- Energy-efficient homes with lower running costs
- Tree-lined streets, parks and shared outdoor areas
- Water-sensitive design
- Strong public transport connections
- No new gas connections – the residential precinct will be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.
Designed for walking, cycling and neighbourhood interaction, it’s a modern take on infill development – one that builds up rather than out, and offers density without high-rise towers.
It’s a model for how cities can grow sustainably, adding new homes without losing their character.
Why this matters now
If you’ve looked for a home in Adelaide recently, you’ll know it’s not easy – and that’s true almost everywhere right now. Across Australia, rental vacancies are at record lows, prices have surged, and for many people, buying near the CBD feels increasingly out of reach.
That’s where projects like this come in. They create more housing in areas where people already want to live. Close to shops, schools, services and jobs, while making use of land that’s been sitting idle for years.
It’s a new neighbourhood that brings together heritage character, green design and more affordable housing options – the kind of mix young South Australians are looking for close to the city.
Building on Bowden’s buzz, The Gasworks Brompton will share the same creative, community-first feel – with parks, cafés, bike paths and unique local businesses that make this pocket of the inner west such a great place to live.
Part of the bigger picture
Redevelopments like The Gasworks Brompton are just one piece of the state government’s wider strategy to tackle the housing crisis and make homeownership more accessible.
Its Housing Roadmap sets out measures including faster planning, low-deposit loans through HomeStart, increased public and affordable housing, SA’s largest-ever land release, infrastructure investment, and skills development. On top of that, stamp duty has been scrapped for first-home buyers on all new homes.
Interested in this redevelopment? Find out more about The Gasworks Brompton here.
