Landmark Adelaide Hills property changes hands for only the second time
Karkoo Nursery has acquired the well known historic Johnston Brewery in the Adelaide Hills in a $2.4million property sale.
Colliers’ Nick Goode, Tim Altschwager & Nick Dean facilitated the sale of the landmark property in the picturesque Oakbank region in the Adelaide Hills for only the second time in its history.
The iconic Johnston Brewery site is situated at 18 Oakwood Road in Oakbank and was sold on behalf of award-winning Clare Valley winemakers O’Leary Walker, who utilised the property as a cellar door and events centre and the continued historic manufacture of Johnston cordials.
“The sale of Johnston Brewery, for only the second time, represented a fantastic opportunity with self-evident appeal to a broad target market,” Mr Goode said. “Located in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, only a 35 minute drive from the CBD, and well known amogst the Hills community, the site was always going to be popular”.
Johnston Brewery is strategically located just off the major tourist thoroughfare of Onkaparinga Valley Road.
The Adelaide Hills region, known locally as ‘The Hills’, accommodates multiple land uses because of its temperate Mediterranean climate and its proximity to the amenity of the city.
The Johnston Brewery site was established in 1843 by the Johnston family. It was originally listed for sale in March 2020, at the beginning of Covid lockdowns around the country.
“Interest in the property was fantastic, however the launch of the marketing campaign co-incided with Adelaide’s lockdown, which certainly affected our progress initially. Fortunately we were able to work through a few challenging months and negotiate a result that exceeded our expectations.” Mr Goode said.
The eventual sale to popular Blackwood-based plant nursery Karkoo Nursery was subject to a change of use application from cellar door to nursery and café.
Neighbouring towns include Balhannah, Woodside and Hahndorf. The Johnston Brewery property is surrounded by residential and rural land uses, including vineyards, and is adjacent to the famous Oakbank Racecourse.
