Urrbrae Gatehouse

Due to design of the new Cross Road and Fullarton Road intersection, the heritage listed Urrbrae Gatehouse could not be retained in its current location. After considering feedback from the broader community and The University of Adelaide, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport plan is relocating the Gatehouse to a new site on Claremont Avenue, Urrbrae.

The Urrbrae Gatehouse was originally referred to as ‘The Lodge.’ The Gatehouse is a historic building and was built for Peter Waite, c1883/84. The Gatehouse was located on the corner of Cross Road and Fullarton Road, Urrbrae.

The decommissioning of the Urrbrae Gatehouse commenced in March 2022 and was completed in late May 2022. The process involved accurately recording key parts of the building, carefully cleaning, labelling parts, and storing them safely. Rebuilding and repurposing of the Urrbrae Gatehouse will commence later this year.

Throughout the decommissioning process, the project team gathered an extensive amount of information to ensure the accurate recreation of the Gatehouse at its new location, this information will be used to set out the footprint of the building once reconstruction begins.

Decommissioning Process

The Department has created a time lapse video on the process involved in the decommissioning of the Urrbrae Gatehouse. The video shows the process and techniques that were employed while carefully decommissioning the Gatehouse.

Watch the video above of the decommissioning process

Rebuild Methodology

Key techniques and methodologies have been developed with master trades and heritage building experts. The main steps which were involved in the decommissioning of the Gatehouse were:

• 3D scans were taken of the gatehouse including the stones and bricks which were identified to be the base of walls and have been stored until reconstruction commences.
• Preparation and civil works have been designed to provide a foundation for both, the heritage building and the new repurposed “Volunteer Centre”.

The rebuilding of the Urrbrae Gatehouse will be completed in mid-2024 in its new location on Claremont Avenue, Urrbrae.

Prior to the reconstruction process the project team will engage with Heritage SA who will inspect and confirm that the layout is accurate before any mortar is mixed and used to permanently place the stones and bricks in position.

As the reconstruction of the Urrbrae Gatehouse walls progress, the original door and window frames, will also be permanently fixed into position. Once all the walls and the chimney have been reconstructed in their entirety, the roof frame and structure will be installed followed by the roof shingles and roof drainage. Pointing will occur at the later part of the reconstruction.

The “Volunteer Centre” will be constructed concurrently with the rebuild of the heritage building.

Next steps

Works are progressing to rebuild and repurpose the Gatehouse in its new location within the University of Adelaide Waite Campus, along Claremont Avenue, Urrbrae.

More information

To find out more about the project, please contact us on the details below:

• Phone: 1300 794 880
• Email: DIT.CrossFullarton@sa.gov.au
• Visit: www.dit.sa.gov.au/cross_fullarton