Arts and Culture

If historic houses were like wardrobes, what would happen to the grand dames of architecture: the ones once draped in opulence, later cast aside like last season’s Chanel, only to be rediscovered and adored all over again?

In the heart of Adelaide, one such treasure has had more reinventions than Madonna, more comebacks than the Birkin bag: Davaar House.

Perched on South Terrace, this 1876 beauty was the original couture piece: designed with lavish detail, structured elegance, and an air of untouchable sophistication. Built for Scottish wine and spirit merchant William Johnston, Davaar House was the architectural equivalent of a Parisian ball gown: exquisite in every stitch, with its high Victorian Italianate style, ornate ceilings, and grand blackwood staircase that whispered of old money and afternoon soirees. Its 14 spacious rooms, including formal dining and drawing rooms, featured bay windows, intricate cornices, and decorative ceiling centerpieces, making it a beacon of refined living in 19th-century Adelaide.

Johnston, originally from Scotland, had made a name for himself in Adelaide’s wine and spirit trade. In 1876, he commissioned the construction of Davaar House at the cost of £4,000, a significant sum at the time, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. He lived in the house with his second wife, Margaret, and their only daughter, Janet. But after Johnston’s passing in 1879, Margaret and Janet returned to Scotland, leaving the house under the care of the estate’s trustees. Janet would later return to Adelaide and marry Dr. John Henderson in 1883, making Davaar House their home until their move to Mount Lofty in 1887.

But like a vintage Dior forgotten in the back of a closet, time and circumstance took their toll. Following Johnston’s passing, the house changed hands multiple times, each owner adding their own chapter to its story. By the 1950s, the house had slipped into the hands of the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Association of South Australia (TPI-SA): a noble shift in purpose, trading grandeur for service, sheltering war veterans and their families. For decades, Davaar House wore its new identity with grace, the way a perfectly tailored tweed coat never goes out of style.

For nearly sixty years, Davaar House served as a haven for those who had given so much to their country. The TPI-SA transformed the house into a community hub, offering accommodation, meals, and social support for war veterans and their families. Its grand rooms, once spaces of opulent entertaining, became places of camaraderie and solace where stories of resilience were shared over cups of tea. Veterans found comfort in its halls, and the house stood as a symbol of gratitude and care: a constant reminder that those who serve should never be forgotten.

Then came the wilderness years. The house sat abandoned, unraveling like an unloved silk scarf. Walls cracked, paint peeled, and its former beauty faded under layers of neglect. To some, it was a relic-outdated, beyond repair, a discarded piece of history. But to the right eye, it was simply waiting for reinvention.

Enter Fiona and Oscar Fiorinotto, a loving and caring visionary duo who saw not ruins but raw potential, fashion stylists for architecture, ready to give Davaar House the comeback of a lifetime. The restoration process was nothing short of a couture-level transformation: every fireplace preserved like a hand-stitched hemline, every intricate cornice lovingly brought back to life. But this was more than just a restoration; it was an act of love and devotion. The couple meticulously ensured that the essence of Davaar House remained intact while infusing it with new life. It wasn’t just about rebuilding walls: it was about reviving a soul.

Today, Davaar House is the Hermès Kelly bag of Adelaide real estate: timeless, coveted, and utterly chic. No longer a forgotten relic, it has risen like a phoenix from the ashes of neglect, reborn as a sanctuary of wellness. Transformed into a state-of-the-art spa and wellbeing centre, Davaar House now provides an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation. Oxygen and red light therapy, sauna, float pods, massage (to name a few) and advanced wellness technology seamlessly integrate into the historic setting, creating a unique blend of tradition and modernity. The vision was to craft a sanctuary where the past enriches the present, a place of elegance and renewal with tranquil relaxation spaces for contemporary and holistic wellness treatments.

Yet, Davaar House is more than just a wellness and serene retreat: it is a symbol of transformation and resilience. Fiona and Oscar Fiorinotto’s vision extends beyond mere preservation; they have reimagined Davaar House as a haven where people can reconnect with themselves, reclaim their physical and mental wellbeing, finding balance and renewal just as the house has rediscovered its own timeless beauty and purpose.

And isn’t that the essence of true style? Knowing that nothing truly beautiful and meaningful ever goes out of fashion. Sometimes, all it takes is the right person, or the right moment, to bring it back to life. So the next time you pass by an old building, an antique shop, or even a forgotten dress in the back of your wardrobe, ask yourself: Is this history waiting to be rewritten? Because like Davaar House, true elegance is never lost: it simply awaits its revival.

I couldn’t help but wonder… if Davaar House can embrace a second act, rediscover its purpose, reclaim its power and shine once more, then isn’t that proof that we, too, can reinvent ourselves again and again and step into our own grand comeback?

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Reviewed by: Virginie the Frenchie

Black and White Image: “Davaar” photographed late 1884-early 1885 – Photo courtesy State Library of South Australia

Colour image: Author’s own – Davaar House photographed in February 2025

Author: Virginie Forest