Lawyer has third and ‘last attempt’ to redevelop historic Norwood home
The owner of a 112-year-old house on one of Norwood’s most prestigious streets has made his third and “last attempt” to renovate the historic urban eyesore.
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The lawyer owner of a heritage-listed, 112-year-old home on Osmond Terrace has made his third and “last attempt” to redevelop the Federation-style building.
However, neighbour and former Adelaide City councillor Sandy Wilkinson believes the owner has run the property into the ground in a bid to get it demolished.
Nic Minicozzi told The Messenger he had applied to Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council to get the use for his Norwood property at 114A Osmond Terrace changed from residential to commercial for office and consulting rooms.
It means the house would be renovated, not demolished.
“It is my last attempt to bring it back to life,” Mr Minicozzi said.
“If not it will die with me, as I’m going to die soon.
“It will rest in peace with me.”
He said the building, which he bought in 2003, was currently uninhabitable following flood damage in 2005.
However, he said he would spend up to $300,000 to refurbish it for office and consulting rooms, if his application was approved.
His two previous attempts to develop the land were rejected by NP&SP’s assessment panel.
His last application – to demolish the 1907/08-built heritage-listed home for a replacement two-storey dwelling – was rejected by the panel in August.
The panel found the heritage value of the property was “significant” and it had not changed substantially since its local heritage listing in 1995.
In a submission to the panel in August, Mr Wilkinson said Mr Minicozzi had deliberately sought to “diminish” the property “in an attempt to make a case to demolish the house”.
He said the front fence and trees were removed, the grounds cleared and “junk left on the veranda in what appeared to be an attempt to make the house an eyesore”.
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He said the owner bought the property knowing it could not be demolished as a local heritage item, but had acted with “wanton contempt” for the building.
“Having been through the house with the owner it is structurally solid as a rock and will outlast the present owner and many owners into the future,” Mr Wilkinson submitted.
Mr Minicozzi told The Messenger Mr Wilkinson’s assessment was “very unfair”.
The panel found in August the “well-built” Federation-style house was “associated with an important period of Norwood’s development”.
“It is indicative of the way of life in Norwood at that time and in particular of the better quality house found on Osmond Terrace,” a panel report found.
Mr Minicozzi said he hoped for a decision on his application before the end of the year. Neighbours would be consulted about the change of use for the site.
NP&SP Council has been sought for comment.