A man accused of setting alight an iconic North Adelaide building had been staying at the property

A man accused of setting alight a historic building next to the Oxford Hotel on Saturday had been staying at the property free-of-charge, The Advertiser understands.

A man accused of setting alight an iconic North Adelaide building on Saturday had been staying at the property free-of-charge, with the consent of a co-owner, for several months before he allegedly torched it, The Advertiser understands.

Joseph Paul Chehade, 37, of North Adelaide, is facing an arson charge after a blaze tore through a heritage-listed building next to the Oxford Hotel, causing about $3 million damage, at about 7am on Saturday.

A man accused of setting alight an iconic North Adelaide building in North Adelaide had been staying at the property. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The building, 107-109 O’Connell St, is co-owned by prominent restaurant identity Walter Ventura.

Is understood Mr Ventura and Mr Chehade knew each other, and Mr Chehade had been residing at building for free, and he was responsible for maintaining the property, for at least six months before it went up in flames.

The Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday heard only two weeks before the inferno, Mr Chehade had been released on bail to the O’Connell St property after allegedly attacking Mr Ventura at the restaurateur’s nearby home.

Mr Chehade allegedly went to Mr Ventura’s LeFevre Tce, North Adelaide home on July 14 and threatened him, hit him with a broom multiple times, and smashed windows, the court was told.

During Monday’s hearing, Magistrate Kym Millard said Mr Chehede had recently been made aware that the owners of 107-109 O’Connell St were planning to sell the building and that he would not be able to stay at the property.

The Advertiser understands after the alleged July 14 assault, plans for the building were changed.

Fire at North Adelaide’s iconic Oxford Hotel. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Fire at North Adelaide’s iconic Oxford Hotel. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The property was on Tuesday being offered for lease, through commercial real estate agency Higher Commercial, on realcommercial.com.au however it is believed plans to rent out the space will likely be put on hold.

The advertisement states the 440 square metre property is suitable for “retail, office or consulting uses” and will be available from December this year.

“Formerly divided and leased separately as a first-floor residence and ground floor office space, the tenancy is now being offered in its entirety for one or more commercial users,” it reads.

“Opportunities remain to lease the entire building or otherwise the ground and first floor separately with provisions in place to divide the tenancies with internal walls installed by the property owner.”

Higher Commercial declined to comment.

Mr Chehade handed himself in at the Holden Hill Police Station on Saturday, following the fire.

The court heard he made admissions that he had “lit a small fire” which “he said had got out of control”.

Mr Chehade remains in custody after he was refused bail on Monday.

He will next appear in court in October in relation to the alleged July 14 attack, and in November over the arson charge.