Adelaide’s commercial and industrial property market continues to strengthen, with key activity across the northern growth corridors and inner suburban logistics hubs. Backed by a steady influx of national and local investment, the city is gaining momentum as a distribution and advanced manufacturing hub — supported by major projects such as the Osborne Naval Shipyard, new land releases at Direk and Edinburgh, and a wave of transport and logistics leasing demand. This month’s data points to a tight leasing market, rising values, and a growing number of design-and-construct deals being struck off-market.

What’s shaping the market right now

Several factors are contributing to Adelaide’s expanding industrial and commercial strength this month:

• Northern Adelaide remains the city’s industrial engine room, with land sales and leasing strong in Direk, Edinburgh, and Burton

• National logistics operators continue to lease large-format warehouses across Gillman, Wingfield, and Regency Park

• Government-backed defence and shipbuilding industries are creating sustained demand in Osborne and surrounding precincts

• Infrastructure investment is increasing interest in the Northern Connector corridor and surrounding industrial estates

• Mid-size speculative builds are being absorbed quickly, particularly those with B-double access and yard flexibility

Bought / sold highlights

49-53 Willochra Road, Salisbury Plain – $3.9 million sale
A multi-tenant warehouse complex sold to a local investor with long-term upside potential.
Significance: Investor demand remains strong for income-producing industrial assets in core northern suburbs.

32-34 Murray Street, Thebarton – $5.2 million sale
A freestanding industrial facility near the CBD was sold to an owner-occupier in the tech manufacturing sector.
Significance: Fringe locations like Thebarton and Mile End are still attracting advanced users and owner-occupiers.

Suburbs driving commercial and industrial growth

Adelaide’s hot industrial zones continue to experience land tightening and rising lease activity.

• Direk / Edinburgh North: These areas dominate industrial land supply, with strong demand from builders and freight operators

• Wingfield: Preferred by national logistics players due to arterial road access and large land parcels

• Thebarton / Mile End: City-fringe areas popular with clean industrial, creative warehouse users and SMEs

• Burton: Affordable land with direct access to the Northern Connector — strong potential for strata projects and local D&C

• Gillman: Increasing strategic value as developers reposition sites for larger-scale distribution or defence industry tenants

Recent developments and leasing activity

While not as fast-moving as eastern capitals, Adelaide is steadily delivering high-impact developments:

• D&C facilities across Burton and Direk: Multiple custom builds underway, including a 10,000sqm logistics centre pre-leased to a national brand

• Osborne precinct expansions: Defence sector upgrades continue, triggering interest from suppliers and logistics contractors

• Strata industrial in Thebarton and Regency Park: Small-bay warehouses are leasing rapidly to trades and light industrial operators

• Land releases in Edinburgh North: Ongoing civil works preparing the next round of industrial land, expected Q1 2026

Strategic trends this month

October has revealed several market-wide insights relevant to developers and commercial agents:

• Speculative builds under 5,000sqm are being leased faster than anticipated, especially with full drive-around access

• Owner-occupiers are paying premiums for well-located sites with future expansion potential

• Yield compression is being felt in tightly held zones like Wingfield and Regency Park

• Local manufacturing businesses are showing renewed interest in fringe suburbs, buoyed by SA government incentives

• Developers are increasingly using 3D visuals and masterplans to market land releases and off-market builds

What this means for stakeholders

• Developers: Deliver smaller high-clearance units with strong street appeal and yard access — demand is outpacing supply

• Agents: Create strong digital campaigns that show how land or buildings can be used, with renders and masterplans where possible

• Investors: Secondary stock with upside potential is still available — particularly in Salisbury Plain and Lonsdale

• Landowners: Those with holdings in Burton or Direk can capitalise by visually showing development-ready plans

• Planners: Mixed-use zoning flexibility in areas like Gillman and Thebarton can unlock previously underutilised sites

How Commercial Property Marketing can help

We help Adelaide’s property professionals show the true value of their industrial and commercial assets. From visualising masterplans in Direk to marketing pre-leased logistics in Wingfield, we create the tools that drive clarity, interest and deals.