For more than three decades, Chloe’s Restaurant was one of Adelaide’s most recognisable fine-dining destinations.
Set inside a grand Victorian bluestone villa on College Road in Kent Town, the restaurant became known for French-influenced dining, formal celebrations and an underground cellar that reportedly held about 20,000 bottles of rare and vintage wine.
Now, about seven years after Chloe’s closed, the landmark property is searching for its next chapter.
The villa was constructed in the mid-to-late 1880s during a period of significant residential growth in Kent Town and neighbouring Norwood. An official heritage survey describes it as a substantial bluestone Victorian villa with ornate verandahs, cast-iron posts and decorative metal lacework.
The property was home to several notable South Australians during its early history.
Auctioneer, licensed valuer and commission agent John Henry Weidenhofer lived there in 1903. In the 1930s, it became the home and medical surgery of Dr Muecke, followed by Dr Reginald N.C. Bickford, whose family was associated with the Bickford’s lime juice business.
By the late 1960s, the property was operating as Victoria Kraitzer Antiques and Kent Town Galleries. It later became Enzo’s Restaurant, which opened at the site in 1978.
Restaurateur Nick Papazahariakis took over the restaurant in 1985, restored the villa and reopened it as Chloe’s the following year. The restaurant was named after his daughter.
As the business grew, a modern function centre was added alongside the original villa, expanding the venue while retaining the historic building. Chloe’s went on to become an award-winning fine-dining restaurant, hosting weddings, private dinners and events for more than three decades.
Its underground cellar became one of its defining features, with historical accounts placing the collection at about 20,000 rare and vintage bottles. The restaurant also contained several dining and function rooms, including the Georgian Room, which could accommodate 26 guests.
Chloe’s permanently closed in 2019 after 33 years of operation, with Nick retiring from the restaurant industry.
The property at 36 College Road is now available for sale or lease, creating the possibility that hospitality could return to the historic address.
The current property campaign states that the commercial kitchen has been recommissioned. The existing dining areas, function spaces and character-filled villa could potentially support a new restaurant or events venue.
The property occupies a 2,440sqm corner site across two titles, with approximately 880sqm of existing buildings. It sits at the prominent intersection connecting College Road, Fullarton Road, The Parade West and Flinders Street, between Norwood and Adelaide’s East End.
McGees Property’s James Juers said the site offered an incoming operator the opportunity to build upon an address that Adelaide diners already knew.
“People already know this venue, so it’s a great opportunity for someone new to purchase and/or lease and breathe new life into something already carrying goodwill whilst keeping its historic character,” he said.
According to the selling agents, preliminary discussions with council have considered a development of up to six storeys, potentially combining commercial uses at ground level with residences above. However, there is no current development application, any future proposal would require planning approval, and the locally heritage-listed villa would need to be retained.
Office, childcare and aged-care uses have also been suggested as potential options, subject to the required approvals.
Whether it returns as a restaurant or takes on an entirely new purpose, the former home of Chloe’s is preparing to begin another chapter in its roughly 140-year history.
