Unley Museum expansion plans revealed
Unley Council’s plans for a new museum and gallery space have been revealed, amid concerns the expansion will see a longstanding pottery club evicted. See the images
Since 1971, the Unley Museum has been housed within the former Unley fire station at 80-82 Edmund Avenue, roughly 100 metres east of Unley Road.
Development plans released for public consultation on Monday show the local history museum expanding into an adjacent office at 78 Edmund Avenue and into a pottery club and gallery at 84 Edmund Avenue.
The Unley Musem on Edmund Avenue. Photo: Google Maps
Plans for the new Unley Museum. Image: Grieve Gillett Acrhictects
All three properties are council-owned sandstone villas built in the early 1900s. The plans will see the properties connected by a new building spanning the rear of the three villas.
The rear addition, designed by Grieve Gillett Architects, will increase the museum’s floor space 26 per cent from 589 to 746 square metres.
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The expanded museum will feature a new classroom for students, a large gallery space for exhibitions and two smaller gallery spaces.
An overview of the redevelopment plans. Image: Grieve Gillett Acrhictects
The rear extension planned for the Unley Museum. Image: Grieve Gillett Architects
Planning documents submitted by planning consultancy URPS specify that the new museum “will not be leased for large private events and functions” but will be available for research, tutorials and workshops.
But the plans currently require the eviction of the Adelaide Potters’ Club, a volunteer-run organisation that has been at 84 Edmund Avenue since 2001.
The organisation, which says it is the oldest pottery club in Australia, was established in 1949. Its Edmund Avenue venue features a gallery and workshop where adult pottery lessons are held throughout the week.
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The Adelaide Potters’ Club at 84 Edmund Avenue. Photo: Google Maps
According to Unley Council, the pottery club’s lease of 84 Edmund Avenue ends on August 31, 2025 and the lease “contains a redevelopment clause, which provides scope for Council to terminate the lease should a redevelopment of the site be pending”.
“It was communicated that Council will not be seeking to extend the lease beyond 31 August 2027 or alternatively once the project and funding has been confirmed,” Unley Council administration said in its October 28 meeting agenda.
“In which case Council will issue a formal Lease Termination Notice with an end date no less than six months after the termination notice is given.
“Council has also confirmed its support to the Potters’ Club to relocate within the City of Unley, including an ongoing assessment of suitable Council owned properties as they become available.”
A render of the new Unley Museum. Image: Grieve Gillett architects.
The new rear extension of the Unley Museum. Image: Grieve Gillett Architects
More than 300 people have petitioned Unley Council to reconsider their decision and include the Adelaide Potters’ Club in the redevelopment of the villas.
“The impact of this decision may be loss of this historical community club which has been in the Unley area for 68 years,” the petition states.
“We consider keeping the Adelaide Potters’ Club will enhance the development of the cultural community hub.”
InDaily contacted the City of Unley and Adelaide Potters’ Club president Alison Arnold for comment.