Images by Peet
One of South Australia’s historic coastal projects has been recognised on the national stage, with Fort Largs named among the country’s best developments at the UDIA national awards for excellence.
The project, completed by Australian real estate development company Peet, took not one but two titles home, the best masterplanned community and the project of the year.
The unique project in Adelaide’s northern suburbs has transformed the derelict, 141-year-old state heritage listed Fort Largs into a thriving residential community with more than 200 homes. The precinct features cafes, event spaces and public areas, and the historic fort is now open to the community for the first time in the site’s history
“We’re delighted that Fort Largs has been recognised as a model for development excellence at the national level,” said Mark Devine, Peet South Australia State Manager.
“Fort Largs is a testament to years of dedicated team effort in creating connected, welcoming communities that respect their unique settings,” He said. “Fort Largs shows that you can deliver new homes, public spaces, and a strong local centre while still respecting it’s history, and that is something we are very proud of.”
The biggest change Mark noted is that Fort Largs now feels like part of everyday life on the coast.
“New homes have brought more people into the area, and the streets, parks, and paths link them directly to the beach,” he said. “The restored fort sits at the centre of that, with the eatery, markets, and community events giving people reasons to spend time there.”
What makes the project stand out, is that long‑time locals, new residents and visitors are all able to use the new space.
“It’s why others are starting to look at it as a reference point for similar land redevelopments.”
Fort Largs has a rich history, as the original strategic coastal defence site in the 1880s, it then later served as a base for the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps before becoming the South Australian Police Academy. After the academy’s relocation, the site sat empty until Peet acquired it in 2020 through a public expression of interest process.
“This award shows when you invest in the heritage that makes a place special, people want to be part of it,” Mark said.
Delivered in close collaboration with Heritage SA, local council and project partners, the redevelopment strikes a balance between past and present, creating a space that feels both culturally significant and contemporary.
The ten million heritage restoration was completed in late 2024, and opened the 3,000 square metre fort to the public for the first time in its 140-year history. The precinct now operates as a retail and community hub integrated within a new residential community across the 7.1-hectare site.
Fort Largs also previously won project of the year and best masterplanned community at the 2025 UDIA state awards for excellence.
For more information on the win and project, visit Peet.
