Bowden has taken home the prestigious Masterplanned Communities Award at the 2026 UDIA SA Awards for Excellence, recognising the vision, planning and delivery behind one of South Australia’s leading urban renewal projects.
Led by Renewal SA, Bowden has transformed 11 hectares of former industrial land on the edge of Adelaide’s CBD into the thriving mixed-use community it is today.
The award recognises more than a decade of work to shape the precinct, bringing together housing, businesses and community spaces alongside access to public transport and the city.
Renewal SA Chief Executive Shane Wingard said Bowden had helped change the way people thought about urban renewal and demonstrated what could be achieved through long-term planning, innovation and collaboration.
“Many developments deliver housing, but few have the opportunity to create an entirely new residential market,” Mr Wingard said.
That transformation has been a collective effort. Since the project began, 24 developers, 20 builders and 21 architects have contributed to Bowden.
More than 1,000 homes have now been completed, with more than 600 currently under construction, while more than 40 businesses are active across the precinct, including Plant 4, Green Leaves Early Learning and Bowden Brewing.
The night also saw Uniting on Second recognised with the Affordable Housing Award.
Delivered by UnitingSA, the eight-storey Bowden development provides 70 homes for sale and rent and was recognised for its contribution to affordable housing within a mixed-use community.
The award reflects what can be achieved when affordability, quality design, resident wellbeing and environmental sustainability come together.
Together, the two awards recognise both what Bowden has become and the vision, collaboration and long-term work that continues to shape the precinct.
