G & R Wills Warehouse, Adelaide

Built 1874 for George Wills’ drapery business, architect Daniel Garlick, second building attached to the west 1878, leased to John Martins store 1930s, became car parking station 1936, later used by School of Arts & Crafts and Technical Correspondence School. Also leather goods industry, John Martins Theatre Shop, Art Gallery, etc. Now only the facade remains in North Terrace in front of a 34-storey student accommodation tower.

 

“Any one passing along North-terrace recently must have been struck with the remarkably fine appearance of the large warehouse which has just been completed opposite the Institute for Messrs. G. & R. Wills & Co. The premises of this firm have gradually been extended in depth, till at last they have reached the great length of two acres, or 410 feet; and as they form by far the most spacious soft goods establishment in the city.” [Register 5 Jan 1874]

 

“The structure has a frontage of 52 feet by a depth of 90 feet, and consists of basement, ground, and first floors. The height from the footpath to the top of the parapet is 48 feet. The front is of Teatree Gully freestone, with cement dressings, the walls up to the plinth line being of Glen Osmond stone, finished with a string of white freestone. The facade is finished with a bold cornice, surmounted by a parapet with balustrading on each side. The centre of the front is broken by vermiculated pilasters with ornamental capitals, a handsome triplet window in the centre of the first floor, above the door, and double windows in each side with similar capitals. A dental cornice divides the lower from the upper storey, and flanking the main entrance are pilasters with moulded caps. There is a small entrance at the side of this, opposite which is a very fine staircase leading to the first floor.” [Evening Journal 5 Jan 1874]

 

“Messrs. G. & R. Wills & Co. are making an extensive addition to their fine warehouse on North-terrace. The new building will be in the same style as that now standing, but will stand forward about twelve feet, so that the line will be pleasantly broken. Mr. D. Garlick is the architect, and Mr. Chas. Farr the contractor. The cost will be between £5,000 and £6,000.” [Register 1 Jan 1878]

 

“Statements that the Salvation Army had purchased expensive property on North terrace from G. & R. Wills & Co., Limited, were denied by Brigadier H. Burhop (divisional commander) this morning. He said that the present condition of finances would not permit of such a transaction.” [News 15 Apr 1930]

 

“An important North terrace freehold, comprising warehouses premises of two floors and basement, with frontage of 105 ft., will be submitted to auction at an early date by Keith Wilkinson & Co., under instructions from G & R. Wills & Co. Ltd. The property, which occupies a commanding site, just east of Gawler place and opposite the library, is at present under lease to John Martin & Co. Ltd., whose term expires on September 30.” [The Mail 27 Jul 1935]

 

“A modem indoor parking station with accommodation for 150 cars at three different levels is being created in North terrace, opposite the Public Library, with the approval of the City Council, for the purpose of relieving the kerb-side parking problem in this part of the city. The garage building, a two-storied structure which was built as a warehouse for G. & R. Wills & Co. and was later used for a time as a nightclub, is being converted at a cost of £600, and will probably be ready to accommodate cars at the end of next week. Three ramps from the street level are being constructed, one to the first floor, another to the basement, and the third to the ground floor. On the ground floor a lounge, offices, and other conveniences for patrons are being built. Otherwise little structural alteration is being made. The front facade will remain unchanged except for the ramp openings, and will be floodlighted at night. One of the proprietors, Mr. L. A. Higginbotham, said yesterday that three petrol pumps which would be erected outside the building would be hidden by screens. With the exception of a name and numbered ramps, there would be hardly any alteration to the appearance of the present building to justify criticism that it would not harmonise with the surroundings. The garage will be open all day and all night should the need arise.” [Advertiser 2 Jul 1936]

 

“Where to Park Your Car. Attendants will take your car at the entrance and will deliver it at the ground floor door when required. There is a day and night service, and the charges are twenty-four hours parking for one shilling. The Big Garage is situated between Gawler place and Charles street, at 204 North terrace. The Big Garage is most modern and up to date.” [Advertiser 5 Sep 1936]

 

“Special Xmas Offer! Re-Tyre at John Martin’s. . . Fitted at the Big Garage, North terrace. . . Fittings are without charge.” [Advertiser 21 Dec 1939 advert]

 

“Education Department. South Australian School of Arts and Crafts, 204 North terrace, Adelaide. (Opp. Public Library.) The School will Re-Open for the first term. 1943, on Monday, February 1st.” [News 23 Jan 1943 advert]

 

“Part-Time Instructor Wanted for Retouching and Coloring of Photographs. . . apply personally to the Principal of the School of Arts and Crafts, 204 North terrace, Adelaide.” [News 28 Jan 1943 advert]

 

“Technical Correspondence School, 204 North Terrace, Adelaide. . . This school specialises in Technical Education by the individual Postal Study method. As each student is treated individually, Enrolment May Be Made at Any Time. . . Accountancy. . . Station Bookkeeping. . . Shorthand. . . Building Construction. . . Motor Mechanics. . . Agriculture (Cereals), Horticulture, Beekeeping. Animal Husbandry, Woolclassing. . . Journalism. . . Dressmaking. . . Various courses to Leaving standard in English, Arithmetic, Algebra. Geometry, French, Latin, History, Geography, Bookkeeping, Physics.” [Chronicle 18 Sep 1947 advert]

 

“Machinists. Excellent opportunity for Girls who can use a sewing machine To Earn High Wages and Bonuses. . . F.P.T. Industries Ltd., 204 North terrace, Adelaide.” [Advertiser 28 Jan 1949 advert]

 

“Leather cutter, experienced man for permanent position in leather bag and case trade. F.P.T. Industries, 204 North ter.” [Advertiser 24 Apr 1950 advert]

 

“Junior boys and girls to learn interesting trade. Leather and canvas goods. Furniture and furnishings. F.P.T. Industries Ltd, 204 North ter, Adelaide.” [Advertiser 27 Apr 1950]

 

“When you need a Fancy Dress or Period Costume, contact the Theatre Shop. . . 204 North Terrace, Adelaide.” [Advertiser4 Feb 1950 advert]

 

“G. and R. Wills and Co. . . Mr. K. A. Wills (chairman). . . The company was selling its North terrace property at a figure considerably in excess of that at which it has been standing in the books, Mr. Wills added. For the past 20 years the property had been leased at not very remunerative rents.” [Advertiser 27 Oct 1951]

 

GEORGE WILLS

“Mr George Wills of the firm of Messrs George Wills & Co, died in London yesterday.” [Kadina & Wallaroo Times 19 Dec 1906]

 

“Mr. George Wills, senior. . . was born in Devonshire, in 1823. . . The deceased gentleman left four sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. One of the sons, Mr. George Tarlton Wills, is connected with the Adelaide [sic] business. Two others — Messrs. J. H. Wills and Charles Percy Wills — are in the London houses, and the fourth — Mr. Arthur Wills, barrister-at-law-is member of the House, of Commons for North Dorset. The daughters, who live in London, are Misses Lucy and Ellen Wills. The deceased gentleman was a widower, his wife having died about eight years ago.” [Express & Telegraph18 Dec 1906]

 

“In a notice of the death of Mr. George Wills, senior. . . it was stated that a son of the deceased gentleman, Mr. George Tarlton Wills, was connected with the Adelaide office of the firm. Mr. G. T. Wills is associated with the London house.” [Advertiser 20 Dec 1906]

 

“George Wills, founder of the firm of G. & R. Wills & Co., wholesale warehousemen of London and Australia, and senior partner in George Wills & Co., merchants and shipping agents. Mr. Wills was born in Devonshire. . . At the age of 20 years he went to London, and entered the employ of Messrs. Goode, Gainsford,, & Co., where Mr. C. H. Goode, another successful Adelaide merchant, was also engaged at the same time. Mr. Wills came to South Australia in 1849, and opened a retail drapery store in Bundle street, from which .small beginnings the powerful firm of G. & R. Wills & Co. sprang — a firm that now has branches in Melbourne, Broken Hill, Fremantle, Kalgoorlie, Perth, Manchester, Paris, and London. . . Mr. Wills had lived in London for many years, but practically to the end he continued to take an active part in the administration of the two firms in Adelaide bearing his name, while he went in for farming and stockbreeding on his estate in Devon.” [Evening Journal 18 Dec 1906]

 

“The business of George Wills and Co. is, however, of a totally different character from that of G. and R. Wills & Co., the latter being devoted solely to the textile or soft goods trade, while in the case of George Wills and Co. the business is confined to shipping and the carrying on of a general merchants' trade.” [Advertiser 19 Dec 1906]

 

RICHARD WILLS

“WILLS.— On the 4th March, at his residence, Prospect Village, Richard Wills, Esq., aged 33 years,” [Register 5 Mar 1862]

 

“Mr. Richard Wills, of the well-known firm of G. & R. Wills & Co. of this city. Mr. Wills first arrived in the colony about ten years ago. . . Mr. Wills afterwards returned to England, where he remained about two years, when he again came out to this colony in the year 1859. Last year he was married to the second daughter of Mr. W. Brace, of Kensington, by whom lie had a son born only a fortnight ago.” [Advertiser 5 Mar 1862]

 

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