Twenty-three residents connected with their new neighbours and heard the latest construction updates on their Southwark Grounds homes.
The residents were all purchasers of Founder’s Row, the first townhouse development at Southwark Grounds, being delivered by Renewal SA.
Attendees also had the opportunity to walk the external boundary of Founder’s Row along Holland Street on the western edge of the development, seeing progress on their future homes up close.
Chantal Milton, Renewal SA Development Director Major Projects, said the event reflected the agency’s commitment to creating early community connections.
"Connecting with our future residents at every stage of the journey is central to how we work to build community connections for Founder’s Row and ultimately, Southwark Grounds as a whole," Ms Milton said.
"We want people to feel connected to this place long before they move in, to know their neighbours, understand what's being built and to feel proud of the community taking shape around them.”
Ms Milton said Founder’s Row was just the beginning.
“Our vision for Southwark Grounds is a thriving, sustainable inner-city community where people don't just have a home, but feel safe, connected and genuinely invested in the place they live in,” she said.
South Australian builder Blag Homes began construction in late 2025, breaking ground on the limited release of 17 townhouses along Holland Street on behalf of Renewal SA.
The townhouse design pays homage to Thebarton's brickmaking legacy and industrial heritage, setting the tone for the precinct's evolution in architectural quality, material integrity and built form character.
The release included a range of double and triple-storey residences, with some featuring rooftop terraces, landscaped courtyards and high-quality finishes. Three double-storey affordable homes with open-plan ground floor living were also made available to eligible buyers through a ballot system.
Joseph Ielasi, who purchased a townhouse at Founder’s Row with his partner, said the event brought the development to life in a way that made the move feel very real.
"It was fantastic to meet our future neighbours and start to get a real sense of the community we'll be part of”, Mr Ielasi said.
"Seeing the progress of Founder’s Row firsthand and learning more about the broader development made it all feel very real.
“My partner and I left feeling really positive about what's to come, both in terms of the homes and the community that's taking shape."
He said the location had been the initial drawcard, but the event had deepened his anticipation for what was to come.
"We were initially drawn to Southwark Grounds for the lifestyle it offers: access to the city, public transport and the River Torrens Linear Park Trail all really suit how we live," he said.
"After the event, we're even more excited about the community that's forming and it's great to be part of it from the very beginning."
The first residents are expected to move in by the end of 2026, with Founder’s Row the first of a broader master plan that will deliver around 1,300 residences at Southwark Grounds over the next decade.
