Case closed: Former Snowtown police holding cells sell to Adelaide investor
A former police cell block, located only metres from Snowtown’s infamous bodies-in-barrels bank, has been sold to an Adelaide investor after “surprisingly strong” interest.
It’s case closed for a former police cell block and constable residence in one of Australia’s most infamous true crime hotspots.
The former state asset at 2 Third St, Snowtown has sold to an Adelaide investor after less than two weeks on the market and after “surprisingly strong” interest from out-of-town buyers, according to selling agent Tren Vine of Elders Real Estate – Clare Valley/Balaklava.
MORE NEWS
Inside the Adelaide home with a James Bond-style secret
Is this home owned by Australia’s coolest grandparents?
What life is like in Australia’s headline grabbing towns and suburbs
“I’ve been selling real estate for over 50 years and I reckon, I’ve only sold (police) cells twice, so it was a really unique listing that sold close to the asking price of $197,500,” he said.
“We had a lot of interest in the property and I reckon I could have sold this property 30 times.
“It’s got nothing to do with Snowtown. There’s obviously some stigma here or, with what was stored here, but people also know that there are some good bargains to be found and we’ve noticed an increase in people showing interest in small satellite towns like this one.
“It’s a lifestyle thing and in this case, it sold to a young man from Adelaide who is looking to move here.”
Situated on a spacious 1012sq m block, the property encompasses a two-bedroom home with a neat kitchen and formal living space.
A two-room cell block with hardwood benches is located in the rear yard.
The property is located only one block away from the former Snowtown bank building, where in 1999 the remains of up to six people were found in barrels.
The bank is now privately owned after selling to Rob Vanderveen and Kryss Black for $185,000 in 2012.
The criminal saga, which made headlines worldwide, was also made into the 2011 film The Snowtown Murders.
Mr Vine said the former police cell block would once have served to hold local drunks and criminals awaiting transfer.
“A new police station was built (in Snowtown) some years ago and this property was part of the old complex,” Mr Vine said.
“When the government sold it, they would have cut them all up on their title boundaries to sell three separate parcels.
“This one here, would have been the constable’s home at one point with the cell block in the backyard.
“There’s a lot you could do with it but personally, I think Snowtown is just a nice, quiet place to live.”
According to real estate records, the property ceased to serve as a police asset in 1996 when it was sold through the Minister of Works for $23,000.
The latest transaction is the third time the home has sold to a private buyer.
Originally published as Case closed: Former Snowtown police holding cells sell to Adelaide investor