First published 13 Nov 2026, 12:00pm
A century-old city villa advertised for sale as an “ultra prime” development site has sparked fears it could be demolished and questions over why it has never received heritage protection.
Mariposa, a 1908-built home at 135 Hutt St , designed with a conical turret by notable architect John Quinton Bruce, hit the market earlier this month, with the sales listing making note of its rare “heritage free” status and development potential.
The listing prompted backlash on social media, with comments suggesting demolition of the home would be a “criminal destruction of our history”.
Concerns were raised that a failure to protect heritage buildings was turning Adelaide into “ugly grey Temu-grade trash” and a “city without character”.
Archaeologist and heritage consultant Daniel Petraccaro, who highlighted the sale on social media, described the real estate listing as “vile”.
“It was listed in a way (that suggested) destroying a beautiful building is a good thing and … that heritage buildings are less valuable, which is just not true,” Mr Petraccaro said.
“They (real estate agents) didn’t have to throw it in everyone’s face and say demolish it – that’s the icky bit of this.
“I’m not completely against demolition but what I’m supportive of is being smart.
“A hybrid approach to preserving (the home’s) character while doing a development (at the rear of the building) would be better but the message (in the listing) is that everything needs to be knocked down.”
Heritage expert Sandy Wilkinson, director of design company Alexander Wilkinson, agreed the villa could be retained without inhibiting future development.
Mr Wilkinson, a former councillor and town planner with Adelaide City Council who now sits as an elected member on the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Council, has drawn plans for a seven-storey apartment building behind the historic home to demonstrate how such development could be achieved.
Heritage expert Sandy Wilkinson’s suggested plan for any development of the Mariposa building at 131-135 Hutt St, Adelaide. It’s advertised for sale as a “heritage free” property, suggesting it can be bulldozed.
Heritage expert Sandy Wilkinson’s suggested plan for any development of the Mariposa building at 131-135 Hutt St, Adelaide. It’s advertised for sale as a “heritage free” property, suggesting it can be bulldozed.
He criticised previous decisions not to heritage list the building and said most South Australians would be surprised at how few historic buildings were protected.
“We’re losing heritage buildings that make Adelaide what it is,” Mr Wilkinson said.
“When people come to South Australia and say we love how you kept all the lovely buildings – that’s just by chance.
“People would be very surprised to drive around and see what’s not protected.”
Mariposa is included on the Historic Hutt Street Trail, which features 20 significant sites along what is one of the original public streets of Adelaide.
Its iconic turret is similar to that at Carclew in North Adelaide, which was also designed by Bruce.
Other works by the notable architect include the Grand Lodge of Freemasons and Electra House, which were listed on the state heritage register in 1984 and 1986 respectively, as well as the Woodville Institute.
Authorities have twice considered Mariposa for heritage listing but protections were denied on both occasions “for good reason”, said selling agent Anthony Hurl, of Giordano and Partners.
He said there had been a range of buyers interested in the property but declined to comment further.
Expressions of interest for Mariposa, which is listed without a price guide, close on November 24.
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