Historic Edmund Wright House building in Adelaide’s CBD on the market
NEARLY 50 years after Don Dunstan saved it from demolition, a piece of the state’s history — in the heart of the city — has hit the market. Take a look at its remarkable interior.
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NEARLY 50 years after Don Dunstan saved it from demolition, a piece of the state’s history in the heart of the city has hit the market.
Through international property group JLL, the State Government is looking for a buyer to breathe new life into state heritage-listed Edmund Wright House on King William St.
The 140-year-old building is for sale on a freehold basis, or via a long-term ground lease arrangement, with market sources suggesting it could attract offers in excess of $6 million.
Edmund Wright House is steeped in history, dating back to 1878 when it became the first home of the Bank of South Australia.
The building was designed by architect and former Adelaide Lord Mayor Edmund Wright and Lloyd Tayler, and has been hailed as one of the few significant architectural statements of 1870s commercial architecture remaining on King William St.
In 1970, Sydney development company Mainline Corporation acquired the historic building, with plans to build a 19-storey office building on the site.
However, a year later the Dunstan government famously acquired the property after more than 67,000 people petitioned against the building’s demolition and a public appeal raised $250,000.
The campaign contributed to the enactment of the South Australian Heritage Act seven years later.
In 1972, the building was named Edmund Wright House, and since then has accommodated various government departments and for many years housed the offices of the Registrar Of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Its grand halls hosted many civil ceremonies, and later became a resource centre for newly arrived migrants.
However, with the premises remaining empty since 2015, Infrastructure Minister Stephan Knoll said it was time for a new owner to create a new chapter in the building’s history.
“Edmund Wright House is one of Adelaide CBD’s most beautiful assets which is just lying dormant,” he said.
“The new State Government wants to see Edmund Wright House to reach its full potential and maximise the return to taxpayers.
“We’ve seen a number of successful examples where the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings have revitalised these sites and opened them up for the enjoyment of South Australians, such as Electra House and 2 King William Street.”
The latest campaign to offload the building follows a failed attempt by the previous State Government in 2016, when a 99-year leasehold interest was offered to the market.
The building comprises close to 1200 sqm of space across a basement and three upper levels.
JLL declined to comment on the sale campaign, with a formal tender process closing on October 4.