Parts of historic mansion Davaar House on Hutt St torn down without approval, Adelaide City Council says

Parts of a prominent historic mansion have been torn down and can’t be reinstated because a developer began building an underground carpark, Adelaide City Council says.

• Interactive: Explore the incredible buildings we lost — and saved
• The incredible art deco home in Prospect
• Historic Davaar House being sold for $2m to recoup debts
• Heritage buildings at risk of demolition because of confusing laws

A veranda and fence at a prominent historic mansion cannot be reinstated because construction of an underground carpark had made doing so “impossible”, Adelaide City Council says.

A state parliamentary inquiry into heritage management also heard that the front fence of local heritage-listed mansion Davaar House was removed illegally.

The Advertiser revealed in July that the partially renovated 172-year-old property, on the corner of South Tce and Hutt St, was being sold to recoup debts owed by embattled property developer Salvatore Sgherza.

The council has given evidence to the Environment Resources and Development Committee, that the front fence of Davaar House was to be retained as part of conservation works.

“During construction, the front fence was removed without approval,” it said.

“The original ground level in front and to the sides of the heritage place has been raised by approximately 480mm for the construction of the basement carpark.

“This means that it is impossible to reinstate (the) front fence or elevated front veranda in their previous form.”

Davaar House in front of the August Towers construction site on Hutt Street. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

The council said that a concrete slab over the front garden meant it would be “unlikely any landscaping can be established to the front of the house as per the original scheme”.

The 14-room Davaar House, built for wine and spirit merchant William Johnston, was being restored as part of the $35 million August Towers apartment project, approved in July 2013.

The council said that “some parts” of the tower “appear to be inconsistent” with approvals.

The council said the current planning system did not require heritage advice to be sought for developments “impacting” a local heritage place.

“There is no legislative requirement that prohibits the occupation of the new building prior to completing the works to the local heritage place,” the council said.

The Victorian-era mansion known as Davaar House, circa 1876.

“This is an opportunity for the development to be partially completed and sold off, leaving an incomplete and dilapidated local heritage item.”.

Finance company CEG Direct Securities is asking $2 million for Davaar House, which had most recently served as headquarters for the TPI Association.

It had taken control of the August Towers apartment building from Mr Sgherza’s company South 2015 Pty Ltd, triggering the businessman to wind up his company.

Completed restoration work on Davaar House has included re-roofing and removal of non-heritage additions.