The former Balfours factory site came with existing development and land management constraints, giving RCP just six weeks to develop an on-budget scheme and secure the development application.
West Franklin Stage 1
West Franklin is one of the largest urban regeneration projects undertaken in Adelaide’s CBD, transforming the former Balfours factory site into a major mixed-use residential precinct.
Greaton acquired the site from the City of Adelaide in 2014, with a masterplan by Brown Falconer comprising four towers across four stages. RCP was engaged to manage Stage 1 and establish the pathway for the broader development.
Stage 1 delivered two residential towers with 272 apartments, ranging from studios to four-bedroom penthouses. The towers rise above a five-storey podium incorporating street-level retail, four levels of residential parking and extensive shared amenities, including a 20-metre lap pool, gym, spa, sauna and steam room, cinema, golf simulator, dining areas, gardens and a rooftop bar and terrace.
Six weeks to development application.
The former Balfours site was governed by an existing development contract and land management agreement, placing tight parameters around what could be delivered. Early in RCP’s engagement, the project also needed to reach development application within an established budget and a demanding timeframe.
RCP developed a targeted approvals programme and comprehensive value management strategy, coordinating the design and commercial requirements to achieve an on-budget development application within six weeks of appointment.
From approvals through to construction.
Following the development approval phase, RCP managed the consultant team and procurement of the construction contractor. Built Environs was appointed in 2017 under an Early Contractor Involvement and Design & Construct arrangement valued at more than $90 million, with RCP continuing to manage the project through construction and completion.
The constrained CBD site required careful coordination of logistics, staging and vertical construction across two towers, the shared podium and extensive resident facilities.
The 41,000 sqm concrete superstructure was completed in nine months, with a peak construction workforce of around 300 people. Stage 1 was delivered within the project’s budget and programme expectations, bringing new residential, retail and community activity to a previously underused part of Adelaide’s CBD and establishing the foundation for the wider West Franklin precinct.
