Preserving the built heritage of Port Adelaide is important to the South Australian community. As part of our activation program, we have restored the exterior of some of the significant buildings in the McLarens Wharf precinct.
The Country Arts SA building on McLaren Parade is a beautiful example of art deco architecture. Conservation work on this building focused on restoring the front façade to its original character by rendering and painting the walls and modifying windows and shading. Work was completed in July 2013.
The building was constructed in 1936 and it was the original office of Adsteam, the Adelaide Steamship Company. According to the Art Deco Society, the building was designed by Jack Cheesman who travelled to the United States in the 1930s and worked at an architectural practice in New York.