Highgate Park, site of former Julia Farr Centre, up for sale, with proceeds to benefit disability community

Highgate Park, the site of former Julia Farr Centre, has been released to the market as one of the largest land parcels to be offered for sale in inner Adelaide.

The 2.8-hectare site of Highgate Park, formerly the Julia Farr Centre, has been released to the market as one of the largest land parcels to be offered for sale in inner Adelaide.

Proceeds from the sale of the site, on Fisher St at Fullarton, will directly benefit South Australians living with disability.

Real estate agents JLL and Savills have been jointly-appointed to seek expressions of interest for the site, which was a residential facility for people with disability until it closed in April 2020.

Currently, it is owned by a charitable Trust with Human Services Minister Nat Cook as sole trustee. A 11-storey building sits on the grounds.

The sale was decided upon following extensive consultation with more than 350 disability groups and South Australians with disability, which included interviews, workshops and surveys.

The former Julia Farr Centre

Ms Cook, who spent part of her lengthy nursing career working at Highgate Park, said the sale was a significant step.

“While this site has played a significant role in the state’s history, we now know that the old institutional style of care does not reflect the inclusive support that people living with disability need to fulfil their potential,” she said.

“Today we begin an exciting new chapter of selling this land with proceeds from the sale of Highgate Park to be returned to the Trust to benefit people with disability.”

Expressions of interest will close at 2pm on Friday May 5.