Pictured: Lolly and Ben of Housewarmers (supplied)
Tucked away behind an inconspicuous warehouse door, a quietly ambitious new project is taking shape on Gilbert Street. Blending Danish design, gourmet sourdough and contemporary creativity, this is quickly becoming a destination Adelaide didn’t know it was missing.
In early 2026, 100 Gilbert Street will welcome three small, independently run businesses as they join forces, sharing not just a roof, but a reimagining of what a CBD hangout can look like. Behind the doors, you’ll find a mid-century furniture showroom, a Scandinavian-inspired cafe and bakery, and a photography studio dedicated to supporting local creative talent, all together in one beautifully renovated industrial space.
Leading the collaboration is Housewarmers, a family-owned mid-century furniture retailer founded by Lolly Heaney and Ben Golotta. Established in 2023, the duo are known for their expertly curated selections of Scandinavian and Australian design from the 1950s to 1970s. Graduates of Renew Adelaide’s Grenfell Street program and most recently based on Unley Road, Housewarmers is now making a confident return to the CBD, and on a scale much larger than before.
The 260-square-metre warehouse offers the room the business has been craving, allowing iconic Danish pieces by the likes of Johannes Andersen, Kai Kristiansen and Hans Wegner to be on full display. With concrete floors, white walls and lots of light, the space feels almost like a gallery, rather than a showroom.
Sharing the front of the space is Idle Hands, a cafe, bakery and wine bar founded by siblings Lewis and Ella McDonald. With nearly three decades of combined experience across some of Adelaide’s most respected venues, including Sunny’s Pizza, The Summertown Aristologist, Exchange Specialty Coffee and LOC Bottle Bar, the long-discussed family project is finally coming to life.
Idle Hands takes inspiration from Lewis’ time working in Japan, and Ella’s travels through Europe, with a focus on simplicity, quality and everyday rituals. Highlights will be their naturally leavened sourdough, understated Scandinavian-style breakfast plates and custard tarts, alongside coffee from Melbourne’s Wood & Co and local favourite Kindred Coffee. On Fridays, the venue will trade into the evening, pouring local and international natural wines, including Lewis’ own label, which is launching soon.
Finally, hidden behind a theatrical green curtain at the back of the building is Common Uncommon, a photography and moving-image studio founded by Alexander Robertson. Designed as a flexible, community-focused space, the studio will host exhibitions, workshops and studio hire, creating a place for emerging and established visual artists to work. Pieces produced here will be displayed throughout the building, building a conversation between contemporary photography and Housewarmers’ mid-century pieces, while offering artists a commercial avenue to sell their work.
Together, the trio hopes to activate this quieter part of the city, neighbouring the much-loved Gilbert Street Hotel, and create a space that encourages people to stay and explore. Perfect for design lovers to become cafe regulars, and for cafe-goers to stumble into a gallery.
Set to launch in early 2026, the Gilbert Street activation is shaping up to be one of Adelaide’s most exciting new arrivals.
Housewarmers, Idle Hands, Common Uncommon
Where: 100 Gilbert Street
When: Launching early 2026
Instagram: @house.warmers, @idle.hands.adl
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