Southwark Grounds unveils Founder’s Row, with architect-designed townhomes on sale from today

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Malted tones, textured brickwork and soft, rounded stone benchtops are setting the tone for Adelaide’s next great neighbourhood, as Southwark Grounds unveils Founder’s Row – a collection of 17 architecturally designed townhouses on the former West End Brewery site. Artist impressions released today show the homes a year from now: residents settled, greenery spilling over balconies and façades, and new streets framed by the century-old structures that have long defined this stretch of Port Road. The townhouses go on sale this afternoon.

Designed by Studio Nine Architects for Renewal SA, Founder’s Row is deeply connected to its industrial heritage. The Walkerville Brew Tower – a landmark dating back to 1886 with its tall red brick façade and gently arched windows – sits at the heart of the future precinct and has shaped the language of the new streetscape. “The brew tower has been a foundational element in the narrative of Founder’s Row,” says Andrew Steele, Managing Director and Project Director at Studio Nine Architect. Its presence inspired a design that looks beyond standard townhouse styles, instead introducing bold arches, generous brickwork and layered textures that feel both contemporary and timeless.

Breaking from convention was key to creating something distinctly Southwark Grounds. “We wouldn’t ordinarily reference arches like this,” Mr Steele says, referring to the entry features on some of the homes. “The scale of the brickwork, the way it will be laid, it’s not something we’d typically do either. But in this context, it fits.” Street-level planting and greenery integrated into the façades soften the built form and reinforce that sense of place. “Paired with curated landscaping, which is both at street level and integrated into the façades, this contributes to distinct sense of place and resident wellbeing.”

With two decades of global experience in mixed-use communities, Mr Steele says the studio’s approach shows how enduring architecture can respond to and enhance its surroundings while supporting long-term liveability. Boutique Adelaide builder Blag Homes, led by Joe Blagojevic, is bringing the vision to life, drawing on a portfolio that spans bespoke residences and historic restorations. From one-bedroom townhouses to spacious three-storey homes, Founder’s Row offers four distinct floorplans designed to suit everyone from young singles and families to downsizers.

The hero of the collection is The Eldridge, named after the brickyard that once occupied Holland Street at the turn of the 20th century. These lofty brick homes feature textured bronze archways soaring three metres above the doorstep, opening into a light-filled ground floor where open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas spill out to a manicured courtyard. Upstairs, the main suite offers a walk-in robe, ensuite and Juliette balcony, with two additional bedrooms and a second living area. Seven of this design are being built, with two extending to three levels and crowned by 34-square-metre rooftop terraces complete with outdoor kitchens and covered entertaining spaces, offering sweeping 360-degree views across Adelaide’s northwestern corner.

Inside, the design team has continued the narrative of Southwark’s brewing heritage. Associate and Senior Interior Designer Melinda De Cianni says the palette reimagines the site’s industrial past through warm shades of amber and malt across surfaces, feature walls, floors and joinery, helping residents feel connected to the story of the land beneath their feet. “One particular feature would be the kitchen peninsula bench and its form,” she says, reflecting on her favourite elements. “The aim was to create a social hub between the living and kitchen spaces that encourages people to come together. The form of the kitchen bench reflects the arched windows in the existing brew tower on site. It creates cohesion between the surrounding area, the exteriors of the home and the interiors.”

Each home will be delivered turnkey ready, with luxury inclusions standard. Tall 2.7-metre ceilings, brushed nickel tapware and stone benchtops flow from bathrooms through to the kitchen, which is fitted with premium appliances. Optional enhancements include a bold terrazzo peninsula bench – a recommended upgrade from Ms De Cianni – that turns the kitchen into a sculptural focal point and a playful nod to the precinct’s spirited character.

Founder’s Row is the first residential release within Southwark Grounds, a Renewal SA community that will ultimately deliver around 1,300 homes over the next decade, with at least 20 per cent meeting HomeSeeker SA affordability criteria. The broader master plan includes retail and hospitality, generous open spaces and the restoration of the state heritage-listed Walkerville Brew Tower, ensuring the precinct becomes a complete neighbourhood rather than just a place to live.