How to build an innovation district
A down-at-heel manufacturing plant transformed into a dynamic innovation district, Tonsley has taken home South Australia’s top property honour. Find out why.
The South Australian Government has made a $253 million investment commitment to redevelop the automotive manufacturing site formerly used by Chrysler and Mitsubishi.
Renewal SA was presented with the Property Council of Australia /Rider Levett Bucknall South Australian Development of the Year award for an approach which sets new standards for urban renewal.
“Renewal SA has transformed Mitsubishi’s former manufacturing plant into arguably Australia’s most exciting innovation district,” says the Property Council’s SA executive director Daniel Gannon.
“Tonsley brings together leading-edge research and education institutions, established businesses and start-ups, as well as government and community groups, to test new ideas, and bring high-value manufacturing to market, and drive jobs, investment and economic growth,” Gannon adds.
In addition to accommodating Flinders University and TAFE SA campuses and established and emerging businesses, Tonsley will one day be home to around 1,200 residents in 8 dwellings.
More than 70 businesses are already operating from this technology test-bed, as Tonsley is reimagined as a collaborative working and living space for students, researchers and businesses.
German optical and optoelectronics firm Zeiss is moving into a $6 million tenancy – the largest at around 4000 sqm ” in what’s known as the Main Assembly Building.
Siemens, Signostics, Micro-X, Flinders University, TAFE SA, Zen Energy Systems, Radical Torque Solutions and the State Drill Core Reference Library are already on site. Retail and food outlets are beginning to open their doors.
The 61-hectare project 10 kilometres south of Adelaide commenced in May 2012 and is expected to be complete by 2027.
The refurbishment of the Main Assembly Building was unveiled in June 2015.
Rider Levett Bucknall Director Giulio Altarmura says: “RLB provided cost management and quantity surveying services to help transform a disused site into an active and thriving innovation district”.
“The judges were impressed by the project’s commitment to low carbon and climate resilient infrastructure, technology and systems. These undoubtedly demonstrate innovation in urban design, governance and delivery models,” Altarmura adds.
The South Australian Development of the Year award is part of the national 2018 Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards program.
RLB has partnered with the Property Council to present the awards program since its inception in 1982.
Tonsley is vying for the Liberty OneSteel Award for Best Mixed Use Development and the KONE Award for Development Innovation at the national awards, which will be held in Sydney on Friday 11 May.