SA brewers tap into new hospitality hub at Tonsley
Pioneering local craft brewers Little Bang Brewing Company will take up residency at Tonsley Innovation District, transforming the site’s old Boiler House into a multi-million-dollar hospitality hub.
The popular South Australian start-up, which helped kickstart the state’s craft brewing scene, will set up a new microbrewery and dining area in the historic Boiler House – once used to power the main Chrysler and Mitsubishi vehicle assembly line.
The newly developed site will transform the disused space into a microbrewery featuring Little Bang’s unique range of beers served fresh from the tanks, as well as indoor and outdoor dining options including a bar, restaurant, café and bottle shop.
Smaller batch experimental creations, such as seltzers, will also be brewed on site, which will operate seven days a week and cater for breakfast to late-night trade.
The development will create dozens of jobs during construction and up to 100 ongoing roles in management, operations and brewing after it opens to the public.
A mezzanine level – dedicated to private functions and culinary training and development – is expected to host events and educational workshops for Tonsley’s tenants, students and the general public, adding another key drawcard to the venue.
The Boiler House is a remnant of Tonsley’s industrial heritage – and this will be maintained in the new build through preserving many of the iconic structure’s fittings and fixtures, like exposed pipes.
South Australian publicans Duxton Pubs Group, which recently acquired the Little Bang brand and owns 19 hospitality venues across the state, has bought the land and will run the site under a freehold owner/operator arrangement.
Plans for the Boiler House will now be finalised to secure development approvals, with the new venue scheduled to be open by mid-2024.
The development will neighbour a new $47 million retail precinct at Tonsley announced last month, featuring a supermarket, speciality shops and rock-climbing gym. Construction of that project, led by Peet Limited, is set to begin in the new year.
Tonsley has welcomed more than 140 businesses since it became an innovation district, employing about 2,000 people – double the number of jobs onsite when Mitsubishi announced its closure.
500 South Australians now call Tonsley home with capacity for more than 1,800 residents when Tonsley Village is complete, highlighting growing demand for services.
Quotes attributable to Nick Champion
The Boiler House has a proud history and this development retains those important elements while adapting to the modern era.
It will create a new space to service a new generation of Tonsley workers and attract students, residents and visitors to the area.
The project further cements Tonsley as not only an innovation hub, but a destination which the entire community can enjoy.
Quotes attributable to Nadia Clancy
Tonsley continues to grow its appeal as a public area designed for the community.
I look forward to seeing big crowds flock to this reimagined and reinvigorated space.
Quotes attributable to Little Bang Co-CEO and Head of Brewing and Business Development Oscar Matthews
This expansion is going to give Little Bang more opportunities to push boundaries with our beer, and our brewing operation.
We see this space becoming a creative hub and an incubator of new beers, seltzers and more. To say we’re excited would be an understatement.
Quotes attributable to Duxton Pubs Chairman Ed Peter
Tonsley’s ethos is around innovation and we want to be innovators in our sector.
Our goal is to continue to drive significant hospitality jobs growth, and skills and training development opportunities for South Australians.
Quotes attributable to Renewal SA General Manager, Project Delivery and Property Todd Perry
The businesses that make up the Tonsley Innovation District are known for their forward thinking and reimagining of services and products. What the Duxton Group has come up with for the Boiler House certainly continues that theme.
Media Contact
Tom Angley 0431 704 801
tom.angley@sa.gov.au
