Port Adelaide is renowned for its heritage architecture, striking public art, eclectic eateries, creative culture and untapped potential as a gritty urban hub.
Written by Renew Adelaide
For decades, the Port has battled high commercial vacancy rates and a lack of visitation. This is despite public interest in the area, proximity to the Adelaide CBD and a growing local population. Renew Adelaide operated in the Port from 2013 to 2017, launching a culturally rich blend of 32 ventures, 50% of which graduated onto commercial terms. These included:
– La Popular Taqueria, a traditional Mexican eatery
– Low & Slow American BBQ, southern-style slow-cooked meats and more
– Cult & Harper, a cutting-edge contemporary gallery space
– Folklore, a waterside cafe and an antique market
Renew Adelaide’s work is about revitalisation, not gentrification. As such, this tenancy mix was created by carefully considering Port Adelaide’s unique identity. Given its working-class history, diverse socioeconomics and reputation for grassroots art movements, it was integral that the new ventures were creative, offbeat, and DIY in spirit.
Precinct vibrancy is best achieved collaboratively. It’s important to study the existing culture and consult closely with property owners, businesses, residents and government stakeholders to determine what’s needed.
Intentionally selected for her ties to the area, Renew Adelaide CEO Gianna Murphy was recruited in 2016 as Project Manager for the Port Adelaide Precinct project.
“When entering a tight-knit community like the Port, building a deep connection is important. My dad owned a Semaphore bakery for over 17 years, so I had a genuine understanding of the challenges and opportunities across the peninsula, and a strong belief in its potential to become the creative heart of the region,” Gianna says.
A precinct working group was formed, comprising residents, business owners and property owners. This was critical to building trust and ensuring Renew Adelaide-selected ventures offered cultural value and long-term potential, alongside an understanding of the area’s identity and economy.
Equally important for this project was selecting economically sustainable business concepts. While Renew Adelaide’s work is always rooted in precinct vibrancy, lessors are motivated by varying factors. For some, the vision is a long-term commercial tenant. For others, it’s more about short-term activation for vibrancy’s sake – especially in the case of future redevelopment (for example, our 2021 revitalisation of Central Market Arcade). When seeking tenants for Port Adelaide, this financial sustainability was absolutely key to longevity for program participants, as well as economic and precinct growth into the future.
Of the 32 ventures launched during Renew Adelaide’s 4-year project delivery in Port Adelaide, 16 went on to sign a commercial lease. Despite ongoing vacancy challenges, Renew Adelaide injected new life into the Port, reinforcing the precinct’s culture by introducing a host of fresh, unique and creative business concepts.
By providing entrepreneurs with a low-cost and low-barrier point of entry into commercial leasing, Renew Adelaide played a pivotal part in enabling new businesses to test and trial their concepts, while supporting the economic growth of Port Adelaide, creating new jobs and strengthening the region’s identity.