The former church-turned-home and studio of renowned artist David Bromley, and later Adelaide fashion industry icon Carol Foord has sold in a multimillion-dollar deal.
The historic property at 234 Port Rd, Alberton sold for $3m, selling agent Thanasi Mantopoulos of LJ Hooker Mile End-Woodville said.
And, in a result he said he was thrilled about, it will once again be a place of worship.
While he declined to disclose which faith group had bought the property, he said three were vying for it, along with investors, developers and those looking for a unique home.
“There was a real mix of people looking to use it as a residence, run a business from there, use it as an investment and developers,” he said.
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“We had 115 through at inspections, and another 60 inquiries or so, and all up it got about 65,000 views on realestate.com.au.
“It sold to a church community – I won’t say which one for privacy – but they’re looking to reinstate it as a church.
“It’s really good, I’m really happy it went to them.
“This is a property that really suited them moving forward and the direction they wanted to be heading in.
“It won’t take much to get it back to a church, it’s just a matter of getting the relevant approvals.”
234 Port Rd, Alberton.
The property attracted huge interest.
The property offers plenty of potential.
Mr Thanasi said the property – which is zoned residential – set a new sales record for the suburb, eclipsing the previous top sale of $2.135m for 10 Adams Place in 2013.
“As long as it had a three in front of it we were happy,” he said.
“That heritage restrictions on the two churches made it tricky, but in a good way, because I would have been sad to see it get knocked down.
“We had a lot of locals coming through hoping they could afford it, but the church group’s offer was just too competitive.”
Mr Mantopoulos said he was chuffed with the result and happy to see its character preserved.
‘It’s a privilege to sell such a landmark property,” he said.
Here’s how we reported it when it hit the market in January:
An Adelaide church transformed into a spectacular home by renowned artist David Bromley has hit the market, attracting significant interest from owner-occupiers and developers.
Bromley bought the landmark c1880s property at 234 Port Rd, Alberton, from the Baptist Church in 1999 and converted it to his home and studio.
During his time there, the six-time Archibald finalist, one of Australia’s most famous living artists, painted a mural on one of the internal walls.
Selling agent Thanasi Mantopoulos, of LJ Hooker Mile End-Woodville, said a large mural remained on the wall but could not confirm if it was Bromley’s or was the work of Adelaide fashion industry icon Carol Foord, who purchased the home from Bromley in 2005.
Ms Foord, founder of Toffs and Wild Child Style Lab, lived in the home and, until about five years ago, also used the property as a shop for antique and reproduction furniture.
The home’s stunning interiors.
The modern kitchen.
Having battled breast cancer and the symptoms of motor neurone disease, Ms Foord died in 2024 and the church property has now been listed for sale by her estate.
Mr Mantopoulos said there had been strong interest in the property, which comprised three separate titles on a substantial 2934sqm allotment.
The main residence has seven bedrooms, an open plan kitchen, two bathrooms and multiple
“adaptable rooms (that) are open to reinterpretation’’, the sales listings says.
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An adjacent Grand Hall has retained the original stained glass windows, pressed metal ceiling and WWI pipe organ, although Mr Mantopoulos was unsure if the organ was still in working condition.
A 1960s addition, dubbed the Court Building, had French doors that opened directly to the property’s private courtyard gardens.
“This is probably the best (church conversion) I have seen in the western suburbs,’’ Mr Mantopoulos said.
This space is set to be used for worship again.
A contemporary living space.
“To have some really nice heritage features throughout and to still be in really, really good condition, is very rare.
“It’s a once in a multigenerational opportunity.’’
The main church buildings were state heritage listed, preventing their demolition.
However, one title, with dual street frontages and comprising 1643sqm, had no heritage restrictions, prompting inquiries from several developers, Mr Mantopoulos said.
Interest was also strong among owner-occupiers seeking to use the property as a residence and retail space, he said.
“A lot of people (within Alberton) have asked if it (the church) is heritage (listed) and they’ve been heartened that it is,’’ Mr Mantopoulos said.
“They’re expecting the land portion of (the property) to be redeveloped somewhat but they’re happy the buildings will be kept.’’
How’s that for a bathroom.
The Alberton Baptist Church opened in 1964 but, after the church sold to Bromley, the congregation merged with the Semaphore Baptist Church and relocated to nearby Queenstown, according to the Port Adelaide Historical Society.
The property will be auctioned at 12.30pm on February 11. No price guide has been disclosed.
– by Lauren Ahwan
English (US) · 