Historic Norwood home where Don Dunstan launched political career hits market

A bluestone home that once served as the early launch pad to former premier Don Dunstan’s political career is now seeking new owners to write the next chapter of its colourful story.

The iconic building is well known within the Norwood community, having started its life as a coaches inn in 1857, where it stood tall as a rare two-level hotel among the single-storey inns of its day.

It later became a boarding house, with current owners Louise and Stephen, who purchased nearly 11 years ago, still stopped on occasion by older locals keen to point out which rooms they used to rent in the now-converted family home.

105 William St, Norwood.

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“Lots of people have shared stories about the (property’s) history with us,’’ Louise said.

105 William St, Norwood.

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105 William St, Norwood.

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105 William St, Norwood.

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105 William St, Norwood.

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“They share stories about the people that used to run (the boarding house) or they will know so-and-so who used to live here.

“We had one guy who had grown up on (nearby) George St, next door to Don Dunstan’s parents’ place, and he told the story about how he had stood as a child under the balcony of this building and listened to Don Dunstan speak.

“This was before he was premier – he used to make speeches upstairs.’’

Louise and Stephen had long admired the history and the character of the property, which they passed regularly on walks when they lived nearby as newlyweds.

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However, when they purchased it in 2015, the building, which had already been converted into a home, was riddled with salt damp and had some “truly dreadful’’ features, which sparked an ambitious nine-year restoration and renovation.

Louise described the project as a labour of love.

Among the works, two of the pre-existing three kitchens were removed, one of which making way for a new bathroom.

105 William St, Norwood.

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105 William St, Norwood.

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105 William St, Norwood.

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105 William St, Norwood.

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The remaining kitchen was decked out in custom joinery and sleek stone counters and is now part of an expansive living and meals area overlooking a lush rear yard.

An outbuilding was turned into a self-contained apartment with its own bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living space.

Louise said the couple paid homage to the home’s history where possible, including in the hallway, where a portion of the original wallpaper is revealed under three layers of newer wall coverings that were painstakingly scraped back.

The building works were given the heritage renovation of the year award by the Housing Industry Association of South Australia in 2020.

Louise and Stephen, who always intended to sell after 10 years in the home, are now contemplating taking on another, albeit smaller, renovation project.

– by Lauren Ahwan