Oakbank home earmarked for controversial motel hits the market

A well-known Oakbank home earmarked for a controversial 28-room tourist motel has hit the market.

The sandstone home on two titles at 209 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, which is known for its cut-outs of the Queen and Daniel Craig’s James Bond in its front windows, is being sold as a “golden opportunity” with “absolute future prosperity”.

It attracted controversy last year when designs for a motel proposed on the site were submitted to Adelaide Hills Council.

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209 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Oakbank.

209 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Oakbank.

209 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Oakbank.

Next door to the Oakbank Hotel, the plans revealed 28 modern, one-bedroom tourist apartments, each with a living and bedroom area, a kitchenette and a bathroom.

Some community members were critical of it on Facebook because it was “out of character” for the town, “hideous and out of place”, and an “eyesore”.

Artist impressions included in the listing show changes have since been made to the proposed development.

Selling agent Chris Weston, of Weston Properties, said it had also largely been accepted by the community now.

“There was a little bit of controversy … but actually there’s a general acceptance now they see what’s being built,” Mr Weston said.

“It’s going to be fantastic for the Hills and the town.”

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209 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Oakbank.

209 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Oakbank.

209 Onkaparinga Valley Rd, Oakbank.

Mr Weston said a growing interest in the Adelaide Hills and a lack of accommodation, even for Airbnbs, meant it was a much-needed project and one developers were keen to deliver.

“I’ve had 35 direct inquiries but four of them I would call strong industry inquiries,” he said.

“The owner’s not in the industry, he’s just happy selling it to an investor.”

He said the character home wasn’t likely to remain on the 3001sqm site because “it keeps cracking, it’s a problem in itself”.

Property records show the two sites last sold together in 2007 for $500,000.

It is being sold via an expressions of interest campaign that closes at noon on October 24, unless sold prior.

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