The former church and studio of famed artist David Bromley, and later Adelaide fashion industry icon Carol Foord, has been sold in a multi-million dollar deal.
The historic property at 234 Port Rd, Alberton sold for $3 million, said sales agent Thanasi Mantopoulos of LJ Hooker Mile End-Woodville.
And as a result, he said he’s excited it will once again become a place of worship.
While he declined to reveal which faith group had purchased the property, he said three were vying for the property, along with investors, developers and those looking for a unique home.
“There was a real mix of people wanting to use it as a home, running a business from there, using it as an investment and developers,” he said.
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“We had 115 inspections and another about 60 inquiries, and all told it got about 65,000 views on realestate.com.au.
‘It has been sold to a church community – I won’t say which one for privacy reasons – but they want to use it as a church again.
“It’s really good, I’m really happy it went to them.
“This is a building that really suits them, in the direction they want to go.
“It doesn’t take much to get it back to a church, it’s just a matter of getting the relevant approvals.”
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The building attracted great interest.
The property offers plenty of potential.
Mr Thanasi said the property – which is zoned residential – has set a new sales record for the suburb, surpassing the previous top sale of $2.135 million for 10 Adams Place in 2013.
“As long as there was a three in front, we were happy,” he said.
“Those heritage restrictions for the two churches made it difficult, but in a good way, because I would have been sad to see it demolished.
“A lot of locals came through hoping they could afford it, but the church group’s offer was just too competitive.”
Mr Mantopoulos said he was pleased with the outcome and was pleased that the character was retained.
“It is a privilege to sell such a heritage building,” 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 purchased the 1880s heritage building at 234 Port Rd, Alberton, from the Baptist Church in 1999 and converted it into 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 interior walls.
Selling agent Thanasi Mantopoulos, of LJ Hooker Mile End-Woodville, said a large mural remained on the wall but could not confirm whether it was by Bromley or the work of Adelaide fashion industry icon Carol Foord, who bought the house from Bromley in 2005.
Ms Foord, founder of Toffs and Wild Child Style Lab, lived in the home and also used the property as a shop for antique and reproduction furniture until about five years ago.
The beautiful interior of the house.
After battling breast cancer and symptoms of motor neurone disease, Mrs. Foord died in 2024 and the church property is now up for sale through her estate.
Mr Mantopoulos said there was strong interest in the property, which consisted of three separate titles on a sizeable 2,934 sq m plot.
The main house has seven bedrooms, an open kitchen, two bathrooms and several
“adaptable rooms (that) are open to reinterpretation,” according to the sales listings.
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An adjacent Great Hall retains the original stained glass windows, pressed metal ceiling and World War I pipe organ, although Mr Mantopoulos was unsure whether the organ was still in working condition.
A 1960s addition called the Courthouse had French doors that gave direct access to the property’s private courtyards.
“This is probably the best (church conversion) I’ve seen in the western suburbs,” Mr Mantopoulos said.
This space will again be used for worship.
A contemporary living space.
“It’s very rare that there are some really nice heritage features there and it’s still in very, very good condition.
“It is a unique opportunity for several generations.”
The main church buildings were listed as monuments, which prevented their demolition.
However, one title, with double street frontages and an area of 1,643 sq m, had no heritage restrictions, prompting inquiries from several developers, Mr Mantopoulos said.
Interest was also high among owner-occupiers who wanted to use the property as a home and retail space, he said.
“Many people (within Alberton) have asked if it (the church) is heritage (listed) and they are encouraged that it is,” Mr Mantopoulos said.
“They expect the land portion of the property to undergo some redevelopment, but they are pleased that the buildings will be retained.”
How’s that for a bathroom?
Alberton Baptist Church opened in 1964, but after the church was sold to Bromley the congregation merged with Semaphore Baptist Church and moved to nearby Queenstown, according to the Port Adelaide Historical Society.
The property will be auctioned on February 11 at 12:30 p.m. No price guide has been announced.
– by Lauren Ahwan
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