Alberton Square Sparks a New Era for Port Adelaide
Just 20 minutes from the Adelaide CBD, a new chapter begins four years in the making for the Port Adelaide Football Club. COX is pleased to unveil the concept design for Alberton Square, a proposed $250 million world-class commercial, health, community and residential precinct. Directly connected to the club’s elite high-performance facilities at Alberton Oval, Alberton Square is set to be the first development of its kind in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Strategically positioned between Alberton Oval, the home of the Port Adelaide Football Club, and Port Road, the new precinct will unlock 20,000m² of premium land, significantly enhancing the area’s public realm and creating a vibrant, connected destination.
With anticipated job growth across the north-western suburbs of Port Adelaide, the mixed-use development aligns with the South Australian Government’s long-term strategic objectives. The project represents a timely investment in housing supply, while supporting employment growth, commercial activity and essential community infrastructure within the area.
Inspired by the Alberton district’s original network of public squares and parks, the vision for the new development places shared community spaces at its heart. Alberton’s original 1870s masterplan featured five public squares and parks, of which only two remain today, presenting a rare opportunity for the redevelopment to help reinstate this historic civic vision.
COX Associate Director, Gianni Francisco
The masterplan for Alberton Square is grounded in Alberton’s original vision of a network of public squares and parks. With community at its heart, Alberton Square will be a transformational development for the Club, the Alberton community and our growing State.
The Next Chapter in a 150 Year Legacy:
Port Adelaide’s journey into the AFL is deeply rooted in South Australia’s football history. While the club entered the national competition as the Port Adelaide Power in 1997, it remains inseparably connected to its state-league origins through the Port Adelaide Magpies. With more than 150 years of football heritage, Alberton stands as the spiritual home of both clubs – an enduring symbol of passion, pride and community. Alberton Square represents the next chapter in this storied legacy, ensuring the club’s heart remains firmly anchored at Alberton for generations to come.
With Port Adelaide Football Club competing at both national and state levels, ensuring long-term financial sustainability has become a critical priority to support continued on-field success. Historical financial challenges during the AFL team’s early years, combined with the impacts of the COVID era, reinforced the need for stability beyond football operations alone. In response, a strategic workshop held in 2022 explored innovative approaches to debt reduction and strengthening the club’s long-term financial resilience.
Alberton Square is the outcome of this strategic thinking, driven by the club board’s commitment to diversifying revenue through targeted real estate investment. Since the workshop, the acquisition of 26 properties has positioned the club to enter its next phase of growth with confidence and long-term financial security. This considered, long-term approach has now enabled Alberton Square to progress to its next stage, with plans lodged with the State Government for approval.