Hartley Building

The University of Adelaide acquired the Hartley Building, along with the Schulz Building and Scott Theatre in 1991 as part of the merger with the City Campus of the South Australian College of Advanced Education (formerly the Adelaide College of Advanced Education and Adelaide Teacher’s College amongst other names). 

Historically it was the oldest institution in Australia with an unbroken history devoted to the education and training of teachers dating back to 1875 when it was established under the South Australian Education Act.  

The building is named in honour of J. A. Hartley, Inspector of Education between 1875 and 1896 (although it did not gain this name until the 1960s).  Designed to accommodate some 400 students it was soon found to have insufficient space for the necessary administrative services and so eventually opened with a capacity set at 300. 

It was officially opened by L. Hill, Minister of Education on 4 December 1925.  Quite amazingly the Hartley Building was the first permanent home for the Adelaide Teacher’s College (as it was then named).  Previous temporary accommodation included locations in Grote Street, the Old Police Barracks and the basement of the Conservatorium (for 20 years).

This symmetrical, two story building with a small basement, rendered external walls, terracotta roofing tiles, towers and wide colonnades is a fine example of the Spanish Mission style popular at the time (a style mostly confined to domestic architecture).  It is one of few larger buildings in Adelaide to exhibit this style  and is the work of noted South Australian architect George Gavin Lawson.

While the south and north wings of the building have changed little over the years, the central section of the building that accommodated the College Hall and some administrative offices have been remodelled extensively.  Originally, a walkway linking these two wings overlooked the Hall.  In the 1970s this was removed and a mezzanine level above the Hall was created (the Hartley Concert Room).  The Hall and the attached offices became the Library (subsequently the Elder Music Library).  At the same time a small and rather unsympathetic lower level addition was added to the rear of the new Library

The Hartley Building is registered as a State Heritage Place (as of 1986).

Taken from City of Adelaide  - https://explore.cityofadelaide.com.au/heritage-places/hartley-building-originally-adelaide-teachers-college-the-university-of-adelaide-kintore-avenue-adelaide/  - Accessed 2 November 2020; Hartley Building (originally Adelaide Teachers College), the University of Adelaide, Kintore Avenue - Heritage Information Sheet, City of Adelaide Heritage Study 1990; University of Adelaide Archives Information Sheet No.15