Fowlers Factory, Adelaide
D and J Fowler was established on King Willliam Street as a retail grocer in 1854. It continued to expend and by 1857 it had entered the wholesale grocery trade. The company ceased the retail business to concentrate on the wholesale business.
The business imported products and acquired established food producers. Many of the products were marketed under the Lion brand.
In 1905 a new factory was required to package the Lion brand flour, and the company commissioned the architect Frank Counsell to design the building.
The building is considered to have high quality brick detailing including the façade.
The builder was James King and Son. The brickwork was sub-contracted to W Sanders and Sons. The distinctive lion on the top of the façade was carved by stonemason Patrick Jackson. The original was removed when FD and J Fowlers moved out and a copy was installed in 1988.
The building was vacated by D and J Fowler in the mid-20th century.
The building was originally symmetrical/ When the Morphett Street Bridge was replaced between 1964 and 1968 the eastern side of the building was removed.
The building was converted for use by the arts in 1970 and became the Lion Arts Centre in 1992.
References:
Kemp, DC; Pickles, JM; and Ward, RA, “Adelaide – Engineering and Industry – A guide to aspects of our engineering and industrial heritage in the City of Adelaide", Engineering Heritage Branch, Institution of Engineers Australia South Australian Division, March 1992.
Heritage of the City of Adelaide “Former Fowler Lion Factory – 69-78 North Terrace”
