Top girls’ school pledges to restore heritage building
A state heritage-listed building in the city’s eastern suburbs is in line for a facelift including restoring its hand-painted 1880s motifs and gilding.
Upmarket girls’ school Loreto College is conserving and restoring one of its landmark heritage buildings before ‘irreversible loss’ occurs, as part of the school’s master plan to support future growth.
The Catholic college, located in Marryatville, last year celebrated its 120th year – the college starts from Early Learning (girls and boys aged six weeks to five years of age) through to a Reception to Year 12 all-girls day and boarding school.
It now plans to fund meticulous conservation efforts including to the striking Acacias Building, a state-heritage listed Victorian Italianate residence built in 1877. The building features a rare and largely original 1880’s decorated interior, with hand pained motifs, gilding, and faux wood grain detailing.
And it will be a Loreto teacher leading the conservation and restoration – South Australian heritage artist Marisha Matthews, who teaches year 11 and 12 art at the college and recently completed restoration work at Ayers House on North Terrace.
Matthews said that at the heart of the restoration process was ensuring original features were preserved.
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“It’s really important that future generations can see it in its original condition,” she said on Loreto College’s instagram.
The project is supported by the community surrounding the college, with old scholars helping fund the conservation as part of the college’s 120-year celebrations.
The Acacias building was bought by Loreto College in 1920 and originally used as a dining room for boarding students. It is still in use today as Loreto College’s boardroom.
The restoration project is part of the college’s larger master plan to support its future growth, with global architecture and design firm Woods Bagot appointed to develop the plans.
