Burnside Village redevelopment opens its doors
As Burnside Village prepares to welcome its first customers to phase one of its multi-million dollar redevelopment, InDaily shares exclusive insight into the project and the full list of stores opening on May 29.
It’s the largest private retail property expansion in South Australia, and following six years of design consultation and almost two years of construction, phase one of the Burnside Village Stage 6 redevelopment will open tomorrow morning.
Led by owners of Burnside Village, the Cohen Group, with Hansen Yuncken and local contractors, the redevelopment is an extension of the existing mall and will double the size of the shopping centre to 38,850 square metres.
The proposed expansion first emerged in 2011 following a financial study to qualify the commercial viability of the project.
Cohen Group chief executive officer Gregg Downer said they found the retail market in Adelaide to be resilient.
“Given there have been historically limited offerings, the demand appears to be growing,” he said.
“It is estimated that there is over $100 million in retailer demand for luxury retailing in South Australia.”
Details have been modified over the years – a multi-screen cinema complex was dropped – with the project also facing a significant construction delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Following the recalibration of the cinema industry post-COVID era and the change in customer behaviour to gather outside the home for social and leisure activities more associated with dining, health and wellbeing, we mutually agreed with Hoyts not to proceed,” a Cohen Group statement read.
The group anticipates six million visitors in its first 12 months of trading, with this figure to increase to 7.3 million by year three.
The Design
Spanning three floors, plus two levels of basement parking, Downer said the design ethos came from the Cohen family, supported by the architect, Buchan Group.
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The design incorporates dedicated precincts for home and lifestyle, entertainment and health and wellbeing.
The ground floor houses retail stores, with food and beverage on the first floor and more hospitality offerings and a wellness centre on the second floor.
Downer said they focussed on connecting the original mall through eye-lines and landscaping, using existing tiles, plants and vines at the main Greenhill Road entry.
“The incorporation of natural light and materials, art, sculpture, seating in public spaces, clean lines and uncluttered malls, create a clear visibility of retail offerings,” Downer said.
A highlight is the Lanik roof, made of 609 glass panes of all different shapes and sizes.
Neutral colours, wood cladding and curves also feature throughout the “racetrack” layout.
The track loops through two malls; one focused on elevated Australian fashion, the other catering to everyday and youth styles.
This careful curation is the product of collaboration with Colliers International, which helped to fine-tune the mix of tenants to meet customer demand.
Initial plans proposed having 100 retailers in the expansion, but the number was refined to around 80 to allow space for more flagship stores.
The Cohen Group opted for a two-phase approach for the Stage 6 launch, from May to September 2025.
“A phased approach allows the existing Burnside Village to continue operating with less disruption during the extensive fit-out of Stage 6 instead of a shutdown,” a statement said.
“New sections can open progressively while other areas are still being formalised.”
A third round of retailers is expected from June 2026.
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Phase One
After an initial delay to accommodate challenges faced by individual retailers, major stores are now open.
Australian boutiques Aje, Elka Collective, Kivari and Nude Lucy have expanded their footprint and Stylerunner and Seafolly have also joined the fashion lineup.
Electronics giant JB Hi-Fi, luggage brand, July, and furniture brand Coco Republic will open their doors tomorrow, as well as international names UNIQLO, Macpac and French cookware brand, Le Creuset.
Zara, Sportscraft and Peter Alexander opened refurbished or new stores before the official launch.
Existing and previous tenants Oroton, Gorman, Shouz, CAMILLA, Carla Zampatti, Harry Hartog, Bupa Dental and Boost Juice have new stores, Mecca will unveil a new double-story flagship, and Seed Heritage has expanded.
Parking has been expanded by 560 free undercover car parks, including E-vehicle charging.
The redevelopment has also prioritised accessibility, plus increased amenities including the state’s first adult changing facilities located in a shopping centre.
Phase two and beyond
Phase 2 will build on the retail spaces and mark the opening of anchor tenants.
InDaily previously reported activewear label LSKD, Danish leather goods manufacturer ECCO, and Mexican fast food chain Zambrero are expected.
A wellness centre will be situated on the second floor, looking back onto the expansion.
Nearby, a rooftop bar with sea-to-hills views is expected to sit above a restaurant, with lift access directly into the establishments.
Opening hours will expand to accommodate the new dining and health and wellness offerings.
Approval has also been granted to further extend the centre to accommodate more retailers and amenities from June 2026, including opening more “elevated and premium stores and community spaces”.
This also includes expanding along the eastern side of the building into the Portrush Road facing carpark.
“Stage 7 is the next phase in this evolution and will progress subject to customer and retailer market demand,” the Cohen Group said.
The initial plan stated that the full redevelopment would be completed by December 2028.
The centre will open from 9am, May 29.
