Sunningdale Apartments Adelaide

The challenge: Revitalising a heritage icon

Adelaide’s Sunningdale Apartments, a striking two-storey complex built in the 1930s, stands as a key part of Wellington Square’s historic streetscape.

These apartments are not just buildings—they’re a piece of Adelaide’s architectural history, representing a time when self-contained apartment living was gaining popularity before the Second World War brought such development to a halt.

Grant Painters was tasked with an ambitious project: a full exterior repaint of this 16-dwelling complex, a job that posed numerous challenges.

Many sections were difficult to reach, and the number of stakeholders involved meant that success would depend on meticulous planning, constant communication with tenants, and expertly managing footpath traffic and building access throughout the project.

Versatility: Our spider lifts, pictured above and below, has tremendous advantages in overcoming access issues in tight spaces.

The team had to revitalise not only the exterior of the building but also four lobby areas and the delicate sash windows, which had to be carefully restored to their former glory.

The courtyard, above, also had to be rejuvenated – a tight space where access was extremely limited.

Grant Painters brought in their secret weapon: the Hinowa Gold Lift, a highly versatile spider lift that, when fully compacted, is narrow enough to fit through suburban gateways but can extend up to nearly 15 metres (or five storeys high).

Its unique design allowed the team to access even the most confined areas without disrupting the flow of work.

The photo below attests to the incredible versatility of these machines. At its most compact, this particular work platform is not much wider than a lawn mower – which is why they are such an integral part of our work flow.

Compact: Our Hinowa Gold Lift can squeeze through suburban gateways.

Executing a project of this scale required more than just the right tools.

To manage pedestrian traffic and ensure everyone’s safety, Grant Painters obtained council permits to create temporary footpath exclusion zones.

But perhaps the most delicate challenge was working around the tenants’ daily routines.

Through ongoing communication and careful scheduling, the team was able to minimise disruptions and maintain smooth access in and out of the building for both residents and visitors.       

The results:

Using a two-coat Wattyl system, the team perfectly matching the original beige and white color scheme to preserve the building’s historic character.

The apartments were completely transformed, with the fresh, revitalised exterior ensuring that this heritage gem will remain a vibrant part of Adelaide’s urban landscape for years to come.

This project not only showcased our expertise but also demonstrated how a thoughtful approach and cutting-edge equipment can overcome often complex restoration challenges.

Project at a Glance

Name: Sunningdale Apartments

Location: Wellington Square, Adelaide

Year Built: 1930s

Type: Two-storey heritage apartment complex

Building: 16 apartments

Historical Significance: A pre-WWII architectural landmark, representing early self-contained apartment living in Adelaide

Scope: Full exterior repaint, restoration of four lobby areas, refurbishment of original sah windows

 Highlights:

 Smart access solutions: Spider lift technology enabled efficient work in confined areas without damaging surroundings

• Seamless execution around live tenancies: Maintained building access for residents and visitors
• Heritage-sensitive approach: Matched original beige and white colour scheme using a two-coat Wattyl system
• Stakeholder engagement and planning were crucial in managing multiple moving parts

 Key outcomes:

 Building’s historic character preserved and revitalised

• Improved long-term protection and visual appeal for a key heritage site
• Enhanced tenant and community satisfaction
• Demonstrated capability in complex heritage restoration under live conditions

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