Pubs Reimagined in Adjoining Adelaide Suburbs

New life is being breathed into two historic hotel buildings in adjacent suburbs of inner Adelaide.

After traversing a rocky regulatory road, a $200-million redevelopment of the Buckingham Hotel by Adelaide-based developer Citify was approved in January last year.

But this month, a disagreement between Citify and City of Walkerville staff over removing a jacaranda tree spilled out at a meeting of South Australia’s State Commission Assessment Panel.

At the meeting, URPS senior consultant Matilda Asser, representing Citify, explained that the street tree needed to go so that cranes could operate safely.

“The removal of this single tree will optimise the construction and speed of the build, reducing interruptions to the road network as well as removing the clearance risk for these cranes,” she said.

However, Gavin Leydon of Norman Waterhouse lawyers, representing the city, said Citify’s application was “purely for reasons of expediency and convenience”.

“The result would be long-term community pain for short-term commercial gain,” he told the panel at a meeting in which three city officers including chief executive Andrew Johnson were also present.

But the panel ruled the tree could be removed, as that would not be seriously at variance with South Australia’s Planning and Design Code.

The 10-storey apartment block will comprise 130 apartments and 56 short-stay apartments. Fourteen split-level SoHo apartments, 20 affordable and 13 NDIS apartments are also included. 

To rise on a site at Walkerville Terrace, Gilberton, the project also includes a pool, golf simulator, steam room, gym, wine room, private function room and parking for 246 cars.

The former Buckingham Arms Hotel, built in the 1840s, has local heritage status and will be restored after it was extensively damaged by fire in November 2024.

▲ An external rendering of the Hackney Hotel, including the renovated heritage frontage to Hackney Road.

Listed Adelaide pub tipped to make $30m

In the neighbouring suburb of Hackney, global accommodation provider Urban Rest has leased and is now operating a 72-key boutique hotel across Hackney Road from the Adelaide Park Lands and River Torrens. 

Formerly home to the 1883-built, heritage-listed Hackney Hotel, the site has been reimagined as part of a new mixed-use residential and hotel project that this week was put on the market. The project was completed by the Adelaide-based developers V Three Group in December 2025.

Listing agents Savills expects the property, complete with its restored heritage frontage, will trade north of $30 million.

Savills national director hotels Nick Lower said the timing of the campaign coincided with unprecedented demand in the Adelaide hotel market.

“Adelaide’s transformation into a year-round major events city is materially impacting hotel performance,” he said.

“With AFL Gather Round, LIV Golf, the Adelaide Fringe [festival], WOMADelaide, Illuminate Adelaide and a growing defence and corporate presence, we are seeing sustained demand that is translating into strong forward occupancy across the market.

“The Hackney Hotel has only just commenced trade and is already benefiting from this momentum.”

Designed for short corporate and leisure stays, the new Urban Rest Hackney Hotel features digital check-in and access, a gym, 44 secure basement carparks and a 40-seat restaurant and bar that will be open to guests and Adelaide residents.

Savills associate director hotels Niall Kumar said investor appetite for quality hotels in Adelaide was strong.

“New hotel supply remains limited, construction costs remain elevated, and South Australia’s stamp duty exemption on commercial property materially enhances investor returns,” he said.

Chief commercial officer for Urban Rest Jeff Baars said the property reflected his company’s commitment to “building better, more flexible ways to stay for both business and leisure travellers”.