Kent Town offers an enviable city lifestyle with the best parts of suburbia. Gastronomic hot spots and creative hubs are on every corner, and a new sustainable residential development, Parkline, is about to give South Australians another reason to move to the city’s edge.
For those who are chasing the city-living dream but don’t want the hustle and bustle of the CBD, Kent Town offers an eclectic, vibrant alternative. Perched on the city fringe, the highly sought-after urban hub is turning the heads of savvy investors and home buyers who are after the almost-city vibes.
During recent years, the well-appointed suburb has been gaining notoriety. Many of the area’s former industrial buildings, which now operate as converted creative businesses, cafes and apartments, are decorated with vibrant street art, setting the tone for the precinct’s creative atmosphere. A plethora of gourmet eateries, wine bars, distilleries and even a microbrewery also now call Kent Town home
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New to the suburb’s world-class offerings is a new sky-high residential development, Parkline, that, according to development director and project architect, Louis Kanellos, encapsulates Kent Town’s “industrial flavour”.
The $100 million project, Spear-headed by award-winning development firm, Chasecrown, will be a multi-use building with the ground to second levels used as boutique accommodation. Above that, there will be 62 luxury apartments, each boasting incredible views of the city and east parkland. Additional Parkline design features include a residential lounge where residents can host and entertain their guests or neighbours.
As for the rest of the building’s design, Louis says they have been inspired by their location – “there are some beautiful, nineteenth-century brick buildings.”
Each corner of the building and its base podium will be masonry stone, influenced by the surrounding historic structures. The timeless detailing means Parkline will seamlessly blend into the local neighbourhood.
In part, the apartments’ prime location is what initially attracted Chasecrown to the development. Parkline offers everything you need for what Louis calls an ‘easy-access lifestyle’. “It’s awesome in terms of accessibility,” he says, “you’re within walking distance to Rundle Street east. You’ve also got convenient access to the Botanic Gardens and Norwood. And Kent Town is transforming into quite a little village, with lots of new cafes and restaurants opening up.”
The development is also sustainable – “[It’s] future-proof,” Louis says. “It could run at net zero if the occupants decide to buy into green energy.” The building will have a seven-star energy rating, with double-glazed windows, roof-top solar panelling, a green wall and a rainwater detention tank to water the apartments’ green spaces. Parkline will also have individual electric vehicle charging stations. “New buildings should be respectful of the environment, and we’re trying to reduce our footprint,” says Louis.
But it’s how all of these green-focused, luxury features collide with almost-city living that makes the Parkline apartments the next best place to live. There are endless lifestyle benefits. “You’re not living in the CBD, but it’s on your doorstep. You’ve got the parklands, great facilities, restaurants and cafes at your fingertips,” Louis says. “[But] it’s low-maintenance and low-cost. That’s what the Parkline Development brings to urban Adelaide.”
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There is a cohort of small businesses making the move to this up-and-coming suburb and shared office spaces are available close by; Parkline will also offer shared office space that includes private meeting rooms, perfect for the development’s work-from-home occupants. For Kent Town residents who work in the CBD it is just minutes’ walk to the city’s East End. Transportation is also easily accessible (the North Terrace tram stop is close by, as are Adelaide Metrobus stops), and there are wide bike paths for cyclists.
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Kent Town’s enviable location is only minutes from Adelaide’s best shopping precincts and home to its own cohort of blossoming boutiques and must-visit homewares stores. Visit bespoke homewares store, Eccola, or head to fashionable Rundle Street for a longlist of high-end boutiques. There’s also plenty of cool urban cafes to grab a coffee or bite to eat – start your morning with a fresh brew from local roasters POGO at their newly opened espresso bar, or pop past Tell Henry for a cappuccino. Peckish? Visit Loxley, with the beloved brunch venue serving stacked sandwiches, bagels and smashed avocado. Other local stand-out cafes include g+gracin, Cafetal Coffee Co and Rustic Gourmet, which is great for grab-n-go meal.
Neighbourhood wine bars are also popping up on local streets, and area popular place to head as the sun starts to dip. Khou by Signature Wines is Kent Town’s answer to the East End’s bars, and the wine nook stands up in comparison. Afterwards pop across the road to pizza bar Pan & Vine –famed for their slices of sourdough pizza, handmade pasta and locally-sourced ingredients.
The Kent Town Hotel has also re-opened after two and a half years of renovations, with the heritage-listed venue the perfect place to head fora classic pub feed or glass of local wine. Fox Gordon is also close by if you’re after a glass of tempranillo, and Reform Distilling for a sneaky G+T.
Parkline is expected to be completed by mid 2025. The world-class sky homes are now available to buy.
Find out more at parklinekenttown.com