The sprawling 3.6-hectare plot of vacant land, located on the corner of Anzac Highway and Leader Street, has been vacant since October 2016 when furniture store Le Cornu ended its operations in South Australia.

Renewal SA purchased the site for a reported $38.2 million in September 2020 after German retailer Kaufland abandoned plans for a supermarket there.

The government’s land agency then selected local developer Buildtec, Western Australian residential developer Peet, and the Chapley family’s Commercial Retail Group – operators of the Pasadena and Frewville Foodland stores – as its preferred consortium to redevelop the site.

The eight-level apartment tower proposed for the corner of Anzac Highway and Leader Street as part of the $250m development. Image: Hames Sharley/Future Urban

The consortium’s $250m masterplan, previously named Locale, was first revealed in June 2022. Detailed designs for one half of the development went out to public consultation last week.

The plan includes a pair of eight-level towers on Anzac Highway, one of which will be an apartment tower and the other a tourist accommodation tower.

Another seven-level apartment tower is proposed on the northern part of the site on Maple Avenue, while a six-level office tower, comprising 6352 square metres of floor space, is slated for Leader Street.

A view of the development from First Avenue and Leader Street. Image: Hames Sharley/Future Urban

In total, 290 dwellings – 219 apartments and 71 townhouses – are proposed for the site, with 44 dwellings to be classed as affordable housing to satisfy the 15 per cent affordable housing requirement for major developments.

There will be 67 tourist accommodation places in the eight-level tourism accommodation tower, according to the planning report submitted by planning consultants Future Urban.

As flagged last year, the Forestville development will also include a supermarket, school and rooftop “urban farm”.

The location of 10 Anzac Highway, Forestville. Photo: Renewal SA

The state of the vacant Le Cornu site in 2022. Photo: Thomas Kelsall/InDaily

The supermarket will span 6600 square metres over a ground floor and mezzanine level. A further 4398 square metres will be earmarked for an “open, ‘piazza style’ market square with a range of innovative shops, outdoor eateries and market stores”.

“In order to facilitate an active and vibrant mixed-use precinct, the commercial uses (i.e. shops, offices etc.) are intended to operate 7am to midnight, 7 days per week,” the planning report states.

The rooftop urban farm, to be located within the podium of the market square precinct, is anticipated to grow a range of fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, nuts and seeds, according to the planning report.

A view of the rooftop urban farm as part of the market square precinct. Image: Hames Sharley/Future Urban

It is also anticipated to host events and serve as a “common, ancillary component” of an adjoining school for students aged between 17 and 24 years old.

“The tourism, events and hospitality functions within the urban farm are anticipated to average 2-3 events per week, within the operating hours of the commercial land uses above mentioned to support the intended flexible use of this area,” the planning report states.

“Whilst a maximum capacity of 600 persons is anticipated for the urban farm functions, this capacity is unlikely to be realised for day events, and is generally anticipated for evening hospitality functions, outside of peak trading times of the supermarket and other commercial uses.”

The school, to be owned and operated by Youth Inc, will have a capacity for 250 students.

“Rather than the typical school set-up (subjects, classes, and classrooms), Youth Inc. focuses on practical, action-learning in the real world,” planning documents state.

“The facility itself is to be integrated within the Locale redevelopment and the local community of Forestville and beyond, activating the potential relationships within the entire precinct and the surrounding community.

“The whole precinct is the campus.”

Townhouses within the development from Maple Avenue. Image: Hames Sharley/Future Urban

The developers also plan to vest 15 per cent of the development as publicly accessible open space.

Two regulated trees have been earmarked for removal but 145 trees will be planted to offset any trees loss, the planning report states.

Future Urban argued the project warrants planning consent.

“We point out that this landmark development responds to its prominent location at the corner of Anzac Highway and Leader Street and has been holistically designed through a master planned approach to deliver a very high level of amenity whilst optimising the commercial outcomes sought for the Zone,” the report states.

“Overall, the proposed design represents a once-in-a-generation development that positively contributes to the liveability, durability and sustainability of the built environment through high-quality design in accordance with the expectations of the Design Overlay.”

According to the plan, a new internal private service road, or “high street”, is proposed within the development to provide short-term parking for 15 vehicles.

Other upgrades have also been proposed for the intersection of Anzac Highway and Leader Street as well as a new roundabout between Leader Street and Second Avenue to manage increased traffic.

Last year, the developers said they expected to begin construction on the development in 2024 with completion scheduled for 2029.