In a city where history often competes with development, one of Adelaide’s oldest surviving railway stations is up for sale - not just as a property, but as a piece of South Australia’s heritage ready for its next life.
Having long since retired from its original use as the Bowden Railway Station, 21 First Street, Hindmarsh was originally constructed around 1856 and comprises 194 sqm* Gross Lettable Area on a 483 sqm* site and has more recently been adapted into a hospitality venue.
The heritage-listed bluestone structure is a reminder of Adelaide’s early railway history and the vital role these buildings played in the development of the city’s inner-west. Its original stone walls, high ceilings and fireplaces remain intact, anchoring it firmly in the past, while a sympathetic extension by the current owners has equipped it for contemporary public use.
Adam Hartley and Sam Alexander of Cushman & Wakefield are handling the sale and said as the broader Hindmarsh and Bowden precincts evolve through mixed-use and residential redevelopment, there’s growing public interest in ensuring historic spaces like this aren’t just preserved but reimagined in ways that serve today’s communities.
According to Mr Hartley, “This building has such strong bones and an irreplaceable story. It would be incredible to see it continue as a place where people gather - maybe like a microbrewery, a distillery, a funky restaurant, or café. The neighbourhood is alive with activity, and this site is right at the intersection of history and future growth.”
Positioned within walking distance of the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, tram lines, and the Bowden Village precinct, the location offers both heritage significance and urban accessibility. As part of the Urban Neighbourhood zone under the City of Charles Sturt, the site allows for a range of potential future uses - from cultural and hospitality to boutique accommodation - pending appropriate approvals.
Mr Alexander said the property is being sold on a walk-in, walk-out basis, including land, buildings, liquor licence, equipment, and furniture.
“While that structure makes it appealing to business operators, the broader value lies in what it represents: an opportunity for adaptive reuse that respects Adelaide’s past while serving its future.”
21 First Street, Hindmarsh is for sale via Expressions of interest, closing at 4pm on Thursday, 19 June 2025 through Cushman & Wakefield.
*Approx.
