Former Adelaide home of Australian artist John Dowie sells

The Adelaide property renowned for being home to famous Australian artist and sculptor the late John Dowie for most of this life has sold in a multimillion-dollar deal.

Property records show the circa-1890s Dulwich villa at 28 Gurney Rd, which was owned by the Dowie family from 1917 to 2021, was snapped up for more than $3m.

Selling agent Penny Riggs, of Alexander Real Estate, said a local family bought the four-bedroom, one bathroom home with plans to renovate it.

“Everybody wants to renovate – building costs are becoming a bit prohibitive for people,” she said.

“It makes it very hard for people.”

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The Dulwich property at 28 Gurney Rd was once the home of the late John Dowie, a famous Australia artist and sculptor.

He painted two murals that remain in the home – one is in the entry way.

The other is on a ceiling canvas in one of the home’s living rooms.

The murals are standout features of the home.

While the new owners planned to put their own stamp on the property, Ms Riggs said two murals painted by Dr Dowie – one a ceiling canvas in the living and dining room, and another around the archway in the entry hall – would likely remain.

“I think they’re going to keep them,” she said.

Dr Dowie – who was renowned for his paintings and sculptures, many of which can be found around Adelaide, including the Three Rivers Fountain in Victoria Square and The Slide in Rundle Mall – inherited the property from his parents.

Other than when he served in WWII and a few years spent overseas to hone his art skills, he lived in the house from the age of two until he died in 2008.

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The property has been restored to its former glory.

It has four bedrooms and one bathroom.

Several living areas can be found throughout the house.

The home has been loved for many years.

His niece Penny Dowie lived in the home for 13 years and used the studio her uncle made by knocking down a wall that separated two bedrooms to work on her own art.

The property’s most recent owner, an architect with an interest in heritage homes, also renovated the home since purchasing it in 2021 for $2.53 million.

Ms Riggs said part of his renovation included turning Penny’s studio back into two bedrooms.

“Last time (the home) included Penny Dowie’s painting studio, now it’s got two extra bedrooms,” she said when it hit the market again in August.

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