$1.2m Unley home may become rubble due to structural damage
A century-old Unley home may become another victim to the wrecking ball, despite the owners wishing it to be their ‘forever home’.
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Another century-old home in one of Adelaide’s most affluent suburbs is staring at the wrecking ball, despite its owner’s love for the property.
In documents tabled to Plan SA, the 1918 local heritage home in Unley could be bulldozed after a number of reports deemed the home to have ‘significant’ structural damage.
“The structural integrity of the building has been largely compromised as a direct consequence of concrete carbonation exhibited in the walls and ceiling structures,’ the report said.
“The observed condition and extent of damage to the external walls to the residence
is of significant structural concern.”
The property was bought in 2016 by its current owners with the intention for it to be their ‘forever home’, but since that time, the owners commissioned seven individual assessments that identified various defects exhibited throughout the building
“My client was particularly drawn to the historic importance of the building and saw the
purchase as an opportunity to restore the rich heritage values while creating a functional home for his growing family,” the report states.
“Shortly after the purchase of the property my client started to observe structural defects within the property.
“Significant cracking in both internal and external walls and ceilings, distortion of openings and damage to roof trusses and chimneys were identified.”
The home was built by Walter Torode, a notable South Australian builder in early years of the 20th Century whose architecture was particularly notable for the use of reinforced concrete.
The site is listed as a local heritage place and is located in the established neighbourhood zone where a historic area overlay applies under the Planning and Design Code.
However, if its structural integrity represents an unacceptable risk to public or private safety and is irredeemably beyond repair, then the home can be demolished.
“The building is past the end of its serviceable design life. Extensive and regular
maintenance will be required to maintain structural integrity of the old concrete,” the report said.
“The extent of repairs required at this stage has likely already outweighed the costs of
building replacement.”
The City of Unley said that although the council does wish to retain historic homes, sometimes it simply cannot be done.
“Unley Council has a strong focus on preservation of these types of dwellings, but the unfortunate reality is that, for a variety of reasons, they become unsuitable, or have issues that are too costly for new owners to fix,” a spokesperson said.
Public notification for the home closes on August 26.
The owners have been contacted for further comment.
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