Adelaide Crows lose out on bid to redevelop former gasworks site for new headquarters

The AFL’s Adelaide Crows bid build a new headquarters as part of the redevelopment of the old Brompton Gasworks site in the city's inner-west has been thwarted.

The Crows plans to redevelop the 5.8-hectare site was overlooked in favour of Melbourne-based MAB Corporation’s plans which include a hotel, housing for more than 2,000 people, hospitality outlets and a commitment to 25% of the land being open, public space.

Announced on Thursday, the decision delivers the Crows more frustration in their search for a new base, the club having been looking to move their headquarters closer to the city since AFL games moved to Adelaide Oval in 2014.

They had previously been played at Football Park in West Lakes, where the Crows are still based and where they have a fan facility called the Crows Shed.

In 2019, the club proposed moving to a new facility to replace the ageing Adelaide Aquatic Centre but pulled out of that plan as a result of reduced finances as a result of COVID.

In a statement, the Club said it had shifted its focus for a new headquarters to Thebarton Oval.

Describing MAB Corporation as "a large commercial property developer" that had beaten the Crows’ "community-focused plan", Club Chairman John Olsen advised “we owe it to our members and supporters to explore these opportunities, however, we must never jeopardise the club's financial sustainability when considering any investment of this magnitude.”

"Our extensive due diligence and multi-criteria assessment has also shown our desired football outcomes could be achieved equally at either site, while our key member and fan engagement initiatives could be delivered at Thebarton.

"We are determined to build a state-of-the-art training and administration facility which underscores our football-first focus and our unwavering commitment to deliver the type of on-field success we all want."

The state heritage-listed gasworks produced gas for Adelaide from 1863 to 1964, under the South Australian Gas Company.

Renewal SA put out a tender for the site last July after cleaning up soil and groundwater contamination.

Images: Artist's impression of the Adelaide Crows’ proposed headquarters at the former Brompton Gasworks (top), the former gasworks site (middle, credit: Renewal SA) and artist's impression of the MAB Corporation development at the site at Bowden (below, credit: MAB).