Old Classics Wing

At the beginning of the twentieth century the University consisted of the Mitchell Building and the newly completed Elder Conservatorium.  The accommodation shortage was alleviated by the addition of the Old Classics Wing in 1901-02 that effectively doubled the existing accommodation.

The building was already under construction while the Duke and Duchess of York were visiting Australia for the celebrations to mark Federation, when upon the death of Queen Victoria, the Duke became the Prince of Wales.  Consequently, it was named the Prince of Wales Building with the Prince laying the foundation stone on 11 July 1901. The building itself was built mostly with money provided by the Government and was designed to accommodate Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology and Engineering.

This new building was attached to the northern section of the Mitchell Building.  However, it was largely demolished in 1972 to make way for the Kenneth Wills and Hughes Buildings.  All that remains today is what we now know as the Old Classics Wing, which originally housed Botany and Physiology.  The present name is a reference to the last academic occupants of the building, members of the Classics Department that were accommodated in the building until the completion of the Ligertwood Building in 1967.  Today the Old Classics Wing accommodates parts of the administration.

Architects: Grainger and Nash.

Taken from University of Adelaide Archives Information Sheet No.28; North Terrace Campus - Landmarks and Public Art - Self Guided Cultural Tour brochure, University Collections, August 2018