Perfectly preserved 173-year-old Adelaide apothecary for sale

It looks like your every-day shop front from the outside. But step inside Semaphore’s first Apothecary to discover a property nothing short of the ordinary.

Offered to the market for the first time since 1846, 111 Semaphore Rd, has been perfectly preserved for 173 years, still displaying the original cabinets, bookcases, medicine bottles, wallpaper and fireplace.

The historic shopfront will be the showpiece at the property’s auction on October 26, which also includes a second character home and 2023sqm of land.

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Marketed without a price guide, selling agent Kate Smith of Harcourts Smith Semaphore said the sale was expected to set a new residential sales record for the suburb.

The old Semaphore apothecary. Picture Dean Martin

Some of the old medicine bottles. Picture Dean Martin

30-34 Hall St, Semaphore, which sold in 2016 for $2.625 million, is the current record holder.

“It’s very unique and I don’t think I’ve ever had one of this age before,” Smith says.

“Our understanding is that it was the original chemist of Semaphore. We also believe it was the apothecary, so that’s where they would do all the mixing and blending of the drugs.

An old price list, glued to one of the cupboard doors. Picture Dean Martin

Blast from the past. Picture Dean Martin

“We also believe that this was an old school house at one stage.”

Despite having only been launched to the market in the last week, Smith says inquiries for the property are coming in fast.

“There are a lot of possibilities here. The shop building itself can’t be knocked down. It isn’t heritage listed as such but it is recognised as a property of local contributory value, so the council would not like for you to take it down.

111 Semaphore Rd, Semaphore has plenty of scope.

111 Semaphore Rd, Semaphore comes with a massive backyard and a second home.

“Next door, however, is not listed, so there are a number of ways you could go.

“You could retain this property and knock down next door and open up some extra blocks, or you could go up a few stories and build an apartment or hotel.

“This is the last opportunity on Semaphore’s main street to develop something this big and with so many options and versatility.”

This article from The Advertiser originally appeared as “A chance to renovate one of Adelaide’s oldest buildings”.