Port Adelaide’s Fishermen’s Wharf Market building to be demolished within 12 months, says developer

Time appears to be up for a longstanding Port Adelaide market, with a developer told he can tear down the historic Fishermen’s Wharf building.

The demolition of a historic Port Adelaide cargo shed housing a weekend bric-a-brac market has been approved, despite claims the building is of historic significance.

Port Adelaide Enfield Council on Thursday sanctioned developer Hans Ehmann’s latest application to raze the Fishermen’s Wharf Market building – known as Shed 1 – and subdivide the block.

Mr Ehmann said demolition of the Queens Wharf building would happen within “the next 12 months”.

“The decision to demolish the shed and develop the site may not please everyone but it’s important to note that the Fisherman’s Wharf building is not a heritage structure and all attempts to have it heritage-listed have failed for that reason,” he said in a statement.

“All market stallholders have been informed and whilst we don’t have an exact date for when the market will close, it will remain open for several months at least, so there will still be time for people to visit, for a last souvenir, and for stallholders to sell down their stock in an orderly fashion.”

The sprawling Fishermen's Wharf Market pictured in 2005, will be razed. Picture: Edwards Brenton

The Fishermen's Wharf Market building in Port Adelaide. Picture: Chris Walls

Mr Ehmann secured demolition approval in December 2016 to level the property and build – as was reported at the time – a $250m apartment and hotel project.

The market opened more than 20 years ago and hosts more than 120 stallholders every Sunday.

Mr Ehmann has not detailed what development plans he has for the 9300 sqm site in the heart of the Port, but said he wants “to introduce the infrastructure that will allow people to live and work in the Port, the way we remember it in our youth”.

The demolition application attracted 37 representations, including eight people in support of the plans.

Hans Ehmann is the owner of Quest Hotel, which officially launched this week, and the mastermind behind a $200 million redevelopment at Queens Wharf. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Among those supporting the demolition was Mr Ehmann’s public relations consultant, Grant Law who stated the site has “so much potential”.

“The entire wharf areas should be bustling with commercial and recreational activity seven days a week,” the Glenelg North resident wrote to the council.

Developer Zis Ginos and publican Brad Barreau, of the Barreau Hotel Group, also supported the development.

The National Trust, however, was disappointed the demolition was to occur without any redevelopment plans in place.

“The prominent aspect of Shed 1 stands as a tangible, daily reminder of the Port’s maritime history and the gritty working life of Port Adelaide’s community,” the Port Adelaide branch said.