Church of Scientology buys Port Adelaide’s former Messenger Press office
The Church of Scientology has acquired the former home of the Messenger Press newspaper, in Port Adelaide.
The church proceeded with the purchase after securing planning consent to redevelop the property into a place of worship and community centre.
On a 4700 square metre plot, the 3535 sqm office at 1 Baynes Place is costing $3.24 million.
Colliers International’s Tom Isaksson and Jack Dyson represented the vendor, who paid $1.76 million in 2013.
“People are starting to recognise the tide of investment surging back into Port Adelaide and surrounding areas on the back of significant defence expenditure, namely the Osborne Naval Shipyard,” Mr Isaksson said.
The Osborne Naval Shipyard is the confirmed base for the $50 billion Future Submarine program and $35 billion Future Frigate Fleet.
Australia’s two largest naval projects – the Collins class submarine sustainment and Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyer – and major maritime-sector companies, like ASC, Raytheon Australia, PMB Defence and Ferrocut, are also at the Osborne Naval Shipyard precinct.
“Additional new projects in Port Adelaide also include Dock One by Starfish, which will include 750 townhouses and apartments,” Mr Isaksson said. “Cedar Woods is finalising its design for the North West and Fletchers Slip precincts, which will comprise 500 homes”.
“We have also seen the recent finalisation of the new Nile Street State Government Administration Building,” the broker said.
The Church of Scientology will relocate to 1 Baynes Place from Pulteney Street, Adelaide.
Mr Isaksson said many other owner-occupiers showed an interest in the Port Adelaide property.
“We continue to see a marked increase among local tenants indicating a preference for owning their own premises”.
