The exterior view of Ruthven Mansions

Adelaide Mansions Serviced Apartments

Adelaide Mansions Serviced Apartments formerly, Ruthven Mansions is historically and architecturally significant because when first built, it represented a benchmark in luxury accommodation in Australia.

The Mansions were fitted with all the 'mod cons' of the time —central vacuum cleaning, automated doors, mechanical ventilation, electric lights and electric lifts— and were among the earliest of Australia's multi-storey apartments.

The apartments were first built in two stages (1911–1912 and circa 1914) and later sold to the state government in 1954, rapidly falling into disrepair.

By 1976, the buildings had lost their distinctive balconettes, the interior had been declared unsafe and the chest clinic that occupied the ground floor had relocated to a new premises.

After lengthy negotiations in the late 1970s, the buildings were saved from demolition and renovated internally and partially externally to resemble their original form.

These days, Ruthven Mansions is more commonly known as 'Adelaide Mansions Serviced Apartments', providing stylish hotel-quality serviced accommodation ideal for overseas, interstate or out-of-town guests upstairs, and a shopping arcade with food and retail outlets on the ground floor.

The Migration Museum is only a short stroll from Rundle Mall, and is a place to discover the many identities of the people of South Australia through the stories of individuals and communities.

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Don't forget to look up! The 'Progress' sculpture has looked over Rundle Mall for more than 50 years.

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Do you know what fritz, FruChocs or frog cakes are? You will after joining this short and sweet tour, full of local treats!

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For over 150 years, the South Australian Museum has been committed to making Australia's natural and cultural heritage accessible, engaging and fun and is one of the most visited museums in Australia.

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