Heritage Places of Adelaide

Downer House (former Dwelling), St Mark's College

45-48 Pennington Terrace NORTH ADELAIDE

State Heritage Place

Built in 1876-77, this house is significant for its association with Sir John William Downer, KCMG, KC, MLC, who purchased it in 1880. Downer's career spanned a period from 1878 to 1915 and included service as Premier, Attorney General, Colonial Secretary, Treasurer and in the South Australian Parliament. Downer was also a South Australian Senator in the first Commonwealth Parliament. It is believed that in this house, Downer, with Sir Edmund Barton and others, prepared drafts of the Australian Constitution for the sessions of the Federal Convention held in Adelaide in 1897. (HSA, 2/2001)

Listing Information

Date of Listing: 11 September 1986

More Information

Downer House, 45-48 Pennington Terrace - Heritage Information Sheet (426kb pdf file)
Heritage information about Downer House, 45-48 Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide from Heritage of the City of Adelaide: An Illustrated Guide 1996