$16m expansion plans for David Roche Foundation House Museum

A $16m plan has been unveiled for one of Australia’s richest private museums, featuring high-end suites, a new event space and restaurant. See the plans.

One of Australia’s richest private museums in North Adelaide will be turned into a multimillion-dollar “tourist destination” featuring luxurious accommodation, a restaurant and a 350-person auditorium.

The David Roche Foundation House Museum on Melbourne St, which opened in 2016, showcases the huge art collection of late Adelaide property developer David Roche.

It houses more than 3600 fine 18th-century and 19th-century European paintings, antiques and art objects – including one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s flintlock pistols and Catherine the Great’s armchair.

They are currently on show at Mr Roche’s former home, Fermoy House.

Now the foundation’s board has released its new $16m vision for the property, highlighted by four high-end suites, a new event space, two exhibition galleries, a library, retail outlet, art studios and restaurant.

Museum director Robert Reason said the development would turn the under-utilised site into a “unique cultural hub” featuring arts, education and entertainment.

“It’s a fantastic location and an incredible collection and it needs greater visibility, greater access,” Mr Reason said.

“It’s about the complete experience. You can see the collection, have a meal, go to a talk or a concert in the auditorium, stay overnight … it becomes a complete cultural package and a great tourist destination.”

At the David Roche Museum, staff member Jayne Bailes and director Robert Reason. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The project, which is being assessed by the State Planning Commission, will need up to $10m in funding from the state and federal governments and private benefactors.

Foundation board director Marc Allgrove said the development would “revitalise” the area, and draw at least 30,000 visitors annually to the site.

In 1999, Mr Roche, who never married and had no children, announced he was forming the David Roche Foundation as a not-for-profit organisation to maintain and develop his art collection – once valued at $80m – as well as open it to the public.

After his death in 2013, Mr Roche’s entire estate was given to the foundation, which launched the museum three years later.

Mr Reason, who took over as museum director in June 2019, said the new buildings, designed by SA architectural firm Williams Burton Leopardi, will “meld” into the landscape of Melbourne St.

“We are really offering something that is benefit to the people of North Adelaide,” he said. “Ultimately, what will be built is going to be very beautiful as well as functional.”

Jayne Bailes and Robert Reason outside the present buildings. Picture: Keryn Stevens