City sale certain to create a Storm among buyers

IT was once a notorious brothel. But now an iconic Adelaide building no longer has a need to put on its red light.

Martin Wylie

IT was once a notorious brothel. But this iconic Adelaide building no longer has a need to put on its red light.

The Waymouth St property that was home to madam Stormy Summers is now known as Light Apartments, and features a penthouse with rooftop pool, a three-bedroom apartment and six one-bedroom studios.

The studio apartments are priced from $289,000.

Brock Harcourts Ouwens Casserly sales agent Martin Wylie is opening the apartments for the first time today and said the building is vastly different from its red-light days.

"It's a quirk of history and it does add some colour and character to the building, but that history is a long time ago now it's been four or five years since Stormy was there," Mr Wylie said.

The building has been completely refurbished, with the first level consisting of six single-bedroom apartments with open-plan kitchen and living area.

"They are studio apartments with separate bathrooms and a semi-separate bed area,," he said.

The second floor has a warehouse-style three-bedroom apartment.

The top level is former madam Summers's old home and features a bathroom with two baths side-by-side and a rooftop pool with views of the city.

Mr Wylie said the Light Square position guaranteed the penthouse and the northern apartments would have views.

He said the apartments in the circa 1990 building differed from others on the market.

"I think this has a more boutique appeal, with fewer neighbours and more privacy."

Property Council of Australia SA executive director Nathan Paine said converting commercial buildings into apartments was great for the city and would create a sense of vibrancy.

Mr Paine pointed to the example of Melbourne, where red-tape and unnecessary regulations surrounding the conversion of commercial buildings had been removed.

"I think it's been really successful and we could look at doing something ... "

Ms Summers's 18-year tenure at her Waymouth St brothel ended in dramatic fashion in December 2006, after she declared herself bankrupt and was evicted. She and husband Mark Garner barricaded themselves in the property and had to be removed by police.