aquilareen
Adelaide Ruthven Mansions
Built in 2 stages for Ruthven Frederick Ruthven-Smith of London, architects Alfred Barham Black & Henry Ernest Fuller, brick with cement dressings, first stage with 16 flats completed Jan 1912, second stage designed by Black opened Nov 1915. When sold 1954 to SA Government, there were 44 flats, 6 shops, 2 small bulk stores, and a two-storey showroom. The building fell into disrepair and by 1976 had lost its balconies, later saved from demolition, renovated & restored to resemble original, now serviced apartments.
“A huge palm was growing in front of the old building in Pulteney-street, which was, demolished recently to make room for the new residential flats which Mr Ruthven Smith is going to erect there. It was planted many years ago by Miss Townsend, the lessee of one of the houses, and she presented it to the Zoological Gardens. Last week the palm, with about 1½ tons of earth in a ball round its roots, was lifted after considerable trouble and placed on one of the drays belonging to the Zoo When the load had been conveyed a little way along North-terrace the vehicle gave way, and the palm had to be left there all night. On the following morning the transfer was completed, and the palm now occupies a position at the north eastern corner of the Gardens, opposite the new wild dog open cages.” [Advertiser 18 Jul 1910]
“Ruthven Mansions. The fine block of residential flats being erected in Pulteney street for Dr. R. F. Ruthven Smith, of London, are now nearing completion. The mansions will contain 16 sets of flats, varying in size from two to six rooms. Each flat will be provided with its own bathroom. Electric light, electric lifts, and hot-water service throughout are a few of the conveniences of this thoroughly modern building. Provision is made for a spacious roof garden, and a restaurant will find a place on the ground floor.” [Register 8 Jun 1911]
“There is in all accommodation for 16 families. The ground floor is devoted to four shops. Two of these, with their respective basements, have been fitted up as the ‘Cafe Rubeo’, complete with a fine kitchen containing a range, bain-marie, griller, cool chamber, &c. The walls and floor of the kitchen are tiled, thus enabling the whole place to be easily kept clean. . . The walls of the dining room are tinted a pale green, with a dark green ‘lincrusta’ dado, copper fittings, and leaded lights in quiet tones. Another shop has been fitted up as a hairdressing saloon.” [Advertiser 15 Feb 1912]
“The main entrance to the mansions is through a handsome pair of cedar and bevelled glass ‘sesame’ doors, the first of their kind to be introduced into Adelaide. These doors open mechanically immediately a visitor steps upon the mat outside, but so ingenious is the device by which they are controlled that they will not open to the force of strong winds.” [Register 15 Feb 1912]
“Some Original Holders. One of the absentees, who is still represented by a descendant, in the ownership of Adelaide city property, was Mr. S. G. Smith, whose nephew, Mr. Ruthven Smith, is the proprietor of those handsome residential flats known as ‘Ruthven Mansions’ in Pulteney-street, which are built on part of the acre which was selected by Mr. S. G. Smith in March, 1837. Mr. Ruthven Smith also owned, until he disposed of them quite recently, several acres in Grote-street.” [Advertiser 2 Aug 1913]
“Pulteney-street Improvements. Mr. C. B. Hardy, as attorney for Mr. Ruthven Frederick Smith, of England, has accepted a tender from Mr. Walter C. Torode to complete the building in Pulteney-street, Adelaide, known as Ruthven Mansions. Mr. A. Barham Black, L.R.I.B.A.. is the architect. The work under notice will be an extension of the present structure up to Austin-street, with basements, shops, residential flats, and chambers, at a cost of about £17,000.” [Advertiser 25 May 1914]
“Additions to Ruthven mansions. . . Some months ago plans were prepared by Mr. A. Barham Black for extensions to the building; and Mr. Walter Torode undertook to materialize the architect's design. . . To allow the occupants of the apartments to obtain an unobstructed view of the city and hills, provision has been made for an elevated look-out or upper flat above the roof.” [Register 7 May 1915]
“The first block of Ruthven Mansions was completed about January, 1912, having taken 18 months to erect. The second block secured attention early the next year. Mr. Ruthven-Smith by then having purchased Mr. David Tweedie's block of land on the north side of the first block, which consisted (apart from ground floor shops and restaurant) of two floors subdivided into uniformly planned six-roomed flats. . . The ground floor was planned as three shops. The whole of the three shops, as well as all the basement; has been let to Messrs. Hosking Bros., ''Craft House," the well-known art furniture firm,” [The Mail 20 Nov 1915]
“His Worship the Mayor of Adelaide (Mr. Allan Simpson) declared the building open, and, in a few appropriate words, proposed the health of Mr. R. F. Ruthven Smith, who is the absent owner of Ruthven Mansions, and Mr. C. B. Hardy suitably responded. As a scheme for supplying to Adelaide what has been a very long-ielt want in most cities, this scheme dates from August, 1909, when Mr. C. B. Hardy, attorney for Mr. R. F. Ruthven-Smith, of London, asked his architect, Mr. A. Barnham Black, for sketch plans adapted to the area of land the owner was able to set apart for the purpose. The first intention was to build what ould have been more "chambers" than residential flats, but the scheme shortly took the latter definite form.” [Critic, Adelaide 24 Nov 1915]
“a water main on the west side of Pulteney-street burst at 12.15 a.m. today, and, rising 60 feet into the air, the water flooded several flats in Ruthven Mansions. . . Many thousands of gallons spurted through a hole in the road about three feet in diameter, and spread across about 50 feet in front of the mansions and sprayed in through windows on the fourth storey. It was not until 1.15 a.m. that the water was turned off.” [Advertiser 16 Oct 1931]
“By a majority decision the High Court dismissed with costs today the appeal of Cox Bros. (Aust.) Ltd., occupiers of premises in Pulteney street, Adelaide, and Ruthven Frederick Ruthven-Smith. owner of the premises, against the South Australian Commissioner of Public Works. Cox Bros, claimed £3,000 for damage done to its stock through the bursting of a water main in the street. Smith claimed £500 damages caused to the premises. Mr. Justice Piper, who heard the action in Adelaide, found that there was no negligence on the part of the Commissioner, and gave judgment in his favor.” [Advertiser 7 Nov 1933]
“Ruthven Mansions. . . Until recently the first floor of the building was occupied as a large showroom, but in view of the constant demand for accommodation in the Mansions, the management decided to reconstruct the whole of that area into additional flats. Messrs. Garlick & Jackman were the architects to whom the work was entrusted. Now that which was once a well-disposed showroom has been transformed into seven delightfully modern flats. . . For demonstration purposes, a full suite has been tastefully furnished by John Martin & Co. Ltd.” [The Mail 29 Jul 1939]
“A well-known four-story city building — Ruthven Mansions in Pulteney street — will be sold at auction soon. . . The property consists of 44 self-contained flats, six shops, two small bulk stores, and a two-story showroom. . . The building, which covers the whole of the land, has frontages to three streets. . . to Pulteney. . . to Austin, and . . . along Porters lane, Residential tenancies have about three years to go. The property is owned by Mrs. D. R. Ashworth, daughter of Mr. R. F. Ruthven-Smith, after whom the building was named.” [News 2 Jul 1954]
“Ruthven Mansions, Pulteney street, which was sold by auction this week to the State Government for £90,000, will be used to accommodate additional staff at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. . . little alteration would be necessary to the building which should be ready In three years. . . at present there was no accommodation for the staff of the large casualty block being planned at the hospital and the mansions had been bought to house this staff. The building, which would accommodate 200 nurses or 100 nursing sisters, would be used as a nurses' home for a number of years, but would ultimately be disposed of when a new nurses' home was built near the hospital.” [Advertiser 13 Aug 1954]
Adelaide Ruthven Mansions
Built in 2 stages for Ruthven Frederick Ruthven-Smith of London, architects Alfred Barham Black & Henry Ernest Fuller, brick with cement dressings, first stage with 16 flats completed Jan 1912, second stage designed by Black opened Nov 1915. When sold 1954 to SA Government, there were 44 flats, 6 shops, 2 small bulk stores, and a two-storey showroom. The building fell into disrepair and by 1976 had lost its balconies, later saved from demolition, renovated & restored to resemble original, now serviced apartments.
“A huge palm was growing in front of the old building in Pulteney-street, which was, demolished recently to make room for the new residential flats which Mr Ruthven Smith is going to erect there. It was planted many years ago by Miss Townsend, the lessee of one of the houses, and she presented it to the Zoological Gardens. Last week the palm, with about 1½ tons of earth in a ball round its roots, was lifted after considerable trouble and placed on one of the drays belonging to the Zoo When the load had been conveyed a little way along North-terrace the vehicle gave way, and the palm had to be left there all night. On the following morning the transfer was completed, and the palm now occupies a position at the north eastern corner of the Gardens, opposite the new wild dog open cages.” [Advertiser 18 Jul 1910]
“Ruthven Mansions. The fine block of residential flats being erected in Pulteney street for Dr. R. F. Ruthven Smith, of London, are now nearing completion. The mansions will contain 16 sets of flats, varying in size from two to six rooms. Each flat will be provided with its own bathroom. Electric light, electric lifts, and hot-water service throughout are a few of the conveniences of this thoroughly modern building. Provision is made for a spacious roof garden, and a restaurant will find a place on the ground floor.” [Register 8 Jun 1911]
“There is in all accommodation for 16 families. The ground floor is devoted to four shops. Two of these, with their respective basements, have been fitted up as the ‘Cafe Rubeo’, complete with a fine kitchen containing a range, bain-marie, griller, cool chamber, &c. The walls and floor of the kitchen are tiled, thus enabling the whole place to be easily kept clean. . . The walls of the dining room are tinted a pale green, with a dark green ‘lincrusta’ dado, copper fittings, and leaded lights in quiet tones. Another shop has been fitted up as a hairdressing saloon.” [Advertiser 15 Feb 1912]
“The main entrance to the mansions is through a handsome pair of cedar and bevelled glass ‘sesame’ doors, the first of their kind to be introduced into Adelaide. These doors open mechanically immediately a visitor steps upon the mat outside, but so ingenious is the device by which they are controlled that they will not open to the force of strong winds.” [Register 15 Feb 1912]
“Some Original Holders. One of the absentees, who is still represented by a descendant, in the ownership of Adelaide city property, was Mr. S. G. Smith, whose nephew, Mr. Ruthven Smith, is the proprietor of those handsome residential flats known as ‘Ruthven Mansions’ in Pulteney-street, which are built on part of the acre which was selected by Mr. S. G. Smith in March, 1837. Mr. Ruthven Smith also owned, until he disposed of them quite recently, several acres in Grote-street.” [Advertiser 2 Aug 1913]
“Pulteney-street Improvements. Mr. C. B. Hardy, as attorney for Mr. Ruthven Frederick Smith, of England, has accepted a tender from Mr. Walter C. Torode to complete the building in Pulteney-street, Adelaide, known as Ruthven Mansions. Mr. A. Barham Black, L.R.I.B.A.. is the architect. The work under notice will be an extension of the present structure up to Austin-street, with basements, shops, residential flats, and chambers, at a cost of about £17,000.” [Advertiser 25 May 1914]
“Additions to Ruthven mansions. . . Some months ago plans were prepared by Mr. A. Barham Black for extensions to the building; and Mr. Walter Torode undertook to materialize the architect's design. . . To allow the occupants of the apartments to obtain an unobstructed view of the city and hills, provision has been made for an elevated look-out or upper flat above the roof.” [Register 7 May 1915]
“The first block of Ruthven Mansions was completed about January, 1912, having taken 18 months to erect. The second block secured attention early the next year. Mr. Ruthven-Smith by then having purchased Mr. David Tweedie's block of land on the north side of the first block, which consisted (apart from ground floor shops and restaurant) of two floors subdivided into uniformly planned six-roomed flats. . . The ground floor was planned as three shops. The whole of the three shops, as well as all the basement; has been let to Messrs. Hosking Bros., ''Craft House," the well-known art furniture firm,” [The Mail 20 Nov 1915]
“His Worship the Mayor of Adelaide (Mr. Allan Simpson) declared the building open, and, in a few appropriate words, proposed the health of Mr. R. F. Ruthven Smith, who is the absent owner of Ruthven Mansions, and Mr. C. B. Hardy suitably responded. As a scheme for supplying to Adelaide what has been a very long-ielt want in most cities, this scheme dates from August, 1909, when Mr. C. B. Hardy, attorney for Mr. R. F. Ruthven-Smith, of London, asked his architect, Mr. A. Barnham Black, for sketch plans adapted to the area of land the owner was able to set apart for the purpose. The first intention was to build what ould have been more "chambers" than residential flats, but the scheme shortly took the latter definite form.” [Critic, Adelaide 24 Nov 1915]
“a water main on the west side of Pulteney-street burst at 12.15 a.m. today, and, rising 60 feet into the air, the water flooded several flats in Ruthven Mansions. . . Many thousands of gallons spurted through a hole in the road about three feet in diameter, and spread across about 50 feet in front of the mansions and sprayed in through windows on the fourth storey. It was not until 1.15 a.m. that the water was turned off.” [Advertiser 16 Oct 1931]
“By a majority decision the High Court dismissed with costs today the appeal of Cox Bros. (Aust.) Ltd., occupiers of premises in Pulteney street, Adelaide, and Ruthven Frederick Ruthven-Smith. owner of the premises, against the South Australian Commissioner of Public Works. Cox Bros, claimed £3,000 for damage done to its stock through the bursting of a water main in the street. Smith claimed £500 damages caused to the premises. Mr. Justice Piper, who heard the action in Adelaide, found that there was no negligence on the part of the Commissioner, and gave judgment in his favor.” [Advertiser 7 Nov 1933]
“Ruthven Mansions. . . Until recently the first floor of the building was occupied as a large showroom, but in view of the constant demand for accommodation in the Mansions, the management decided to reconstruct the whole of that area into additional flats. Messrs. Garlick & Jackman were the architects to whom the work was entrusted. Now that which was once a well-disposed showroom has been transformed into seven delightfully modern flats. . . For demonstration purposes, a full suite has been tastefully furnished by John Martin & Co. Ltd.” [The Mail 29 Jul 1939]
“A well-known four-story city building — Ruthven Mansions in Pulteney street — will be sold at auction soon. . . The property consists of 44 self-contained flats, six shops, two small bulk stores, and a two-story showroom. . . The building, which covers the whole of the land, has frontages to three streets. . . to Pulteney. . . to Austin, and . . . along Porters lane, Residential tenancies have about three years to go. The property is owned by Mrs. D. R. Ashworth, daughter of Mr. R. F. Ruthven-Smith, after whom the building was named.” [News 2 Jul 1954]
“Ruthven Mansions, Pulteney street, which was sold by auction this week to the State Government for £90,000, will be used to accommodate additional staff at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. . . little alteration would be necessary to the building which should be ready In three years. . . at present there was no accommodation for the staff of the large casualty block being planned at the hospital and the mansions had been bought to house this staff. The building, which would accommodate 200 nurses or 100 nursing sisters, would be used as a nurses' home for a number of years, but would ultimately be disposed of when a new nurses' home was built near the hospital.” [Advertiser 13 Aug 1954]