Historic North Adelaide villa with a story to tell
Located in the heart of North Adelaide, this 1880s Victorian villa retains many of its original features and has been sympathetically renovated to suit 21st century living.
For Susan Campbell, it was the location of 227 Gover Street, North Adelaide, that stood out when she and her partner bought it two years ago.
“It’s walking distance to the city and to Adelaide Oval, and North Adelaide’s best café – the Flying Fig – is literally a one-minute walk (away),” says Susan, who is a business consultant.
“North Adelaide has everything you want from a liveability perspective.”
Susan was also drawn to the heritage charm of the home as well as its established manicured gardens.
“The house is quite unique – it was built in the 1880s and the external walls are all original, meaning there’s been no need for any additions,” she says.
“The landscaping is also an absolute delight. So, it was the appeal of the lifestyle combined with a stunning lock-up and leave property.”
The heritage-listed villa sits on a town acre block originally purchased by city councillor George Anderson in the 1800s and was built by James Odlum, who was responsible for the construction of a number of North Adelaide’s historic homes.
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The house retains many of its historic features, including an original cast-iron fence and an intricate lace-trimmed verandah.
These days, the dwelling includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms and room for up to two cars, while there is also plenty of space for on-street parking.
Since purchasing the property, Susan and her partner have carried out some upgrades of their own, enlisting Marie-Claire Redwood Interior Design and construction company Thus to turn their vision into reality. It was completed in October 2024.
This included redoing the bathrooms and bedrooms, as well as commissioning bespoke light fittings.
Susan worked with a lighting manufacturer and a metal fabricator to develop bespoke light fittings.
“We’ve come up with some fairly special lighting throughout the home,” says Susan.
The couple also reinstated original, Victorian-era marble fireplaces throughout the dwelling, including a unique grey tiger-marble fireplace in the main living area.
Susan says the ensuite in the master bedroom is particularly stunning. It features Super White Dolomite tiling, a double vanity, a marble mantle with a rare arched tile surround, curved cabinetry, heated floors and a heated towel rail.
During the renovations, it was also important to take advantage of the soaring, four-metre-high ceilings by filling the house with light.
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“Light was very important, so there’s a lot of light that comes into the property, and we wanted to create something quite unique and beautiful throughout the home,” says Susan.
Among the other standout features of the home is the walk-in wine cellar, the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area and the alfresco entertaining space.
Outdoors, the manicured gardens continue to be maintained by the gardener who established them some 17 years ago.
“He treats it like it’s his own, and it’s beautiful,” says Susan.
Plants include box hedging and double hedging with viburnum, as well as red buds and a bountiful orange tree.
Asked about her favourite feature of the property, Susan says she loves the ensuite.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so spoilt as I have with the luxurious ensuite bathroom. It’s the best ensuite that I’ve ever had,” she tells SALIFE.
Susan says she will miss “the location, the amenity of the home and its beauty” the most.
The sale of 227 Gover Street, North Adelaide is being handled by Sally Cameron and Makeeley Abraham of Toop + Toop.
