“We allow for a somewhat different alternative for shopping and eating good food and wine,” says Jono Kaitatzis, who helps manage his family business which now includes Plant 4.

The Ceres Market Shed Group introduced an organic weekend market to run alongside its traditional IGA supermarket in November 2013. At that time, it was a unique combination because of perceived conflict of interest, but Kaitatzis says the success of The Market Shed on Holland has proved that offering diversity helps to create a community around food.

Now the group plans to take that concept one step further, purpose-building a community food hub in Renewal SA’s Bowden precinct.

“The vision we have for Plant 4 is to create a sense of place for our immediate local community and encourage our local neighbours from the city and suburbs to come and join us, from all over Adelaide if people feel inspired by our concept,” explains Kaitatzis.

The Ceres Market Shed Group’s development plans to activate the 1900sqm warehouse space on Third Street with food and shopping, including a seven-day IGA store, gourmet specialty markets opening two days a week, as well as cafes, restaurants, bars and other small tenancies which will trade most days.

“Even though the Market Shed on Holland and Plant 4 will have some close alliances,” says Kaitatzis, “there will be an added dimension in Plant 4.”

In Plant 4 the group hopes to create a community centre that will encourage interaction and collaboration between local residents and workers.

“There will be co-working, hot-desking stations, a bottle shop/eatery, installations and activities daily.

“We can host long-table dinners, local functions and events, and interesting and individualised night-time dining experiences.”

As well as the ground floor space, the development will include a mezzanine level with views of the Bowden Town Square. It will also be able accommodate larger outdoor events.

The large outdoor space also under construction at Plant 4. Photo: Nat Rogers/InDaily

“Plant 4 is an innovative style of development,” says Kaitatzis. “To create a space within a used, industrial building with a five-star green rating opens up many challenges, but Renewal SA has chosen a great team to meet these standards and we feel a strong responsibility to work with our natural environment and flourish amongst it.

“Plant 4 will retain most of the original style of its days as a bustling, industrial workplace but some great new features to enhance the usability and ambience of the building and its environs.

“The whole of the space has been opened up to welcome in and embrace our community. We hope to open the space in July.”