What was once a sleepy Gilbert Street warehouse has been brought back to life thanks to a mismatched crew of local Adelaide creatives. The House Warmers, Idle Hands, and Common Uncommon trio have now opened a multi-use space that brings together furniture design, food and drink, and contemporary photography all under the same roof, and it’s one you’re not going to want to sleep on.
Now open at 100 Gilbert Street, the newly activated warehouse is home to these three independent businesses that share a vision for creativity, collaboration and longevity. The result is a CBD destination that is part working studio, neighbourhood cafe and design showroom, inviting people to move freely between each experience.
The idea was born from Alexander Robertson, the founder of photography and moving-image studio Common Uncommon. “I’ve had this idea for quite a few years now. Life gets in the way, and looking for the right space is always quite difficult,” shared Alex in a chat with Glam Adelaide. “Then all of a sudden, around November last year, through a friend, I was put in contact with Ben (of House Warmers), who I know through the film world. It was basically, ‘Oh, we’ve got this space,’ and it was kind of perfect for what I was planning on doing.”
From there, Alex jumped at the project. “It was terrifying and exciting all at the same time, but it’s been an idea I’ve had for a while, which I’m still kind of putting together. The space was perfect for what I was looking for, and it really worked with what Ben and Lolly, and then Lewis and Ella, were planning to do. It’s an interesting mix of creative outputs.”
Common Uncommon
Alex’s Common Uncommon is a flexible, industry-focused workspace. The studio is already in use for commercial shoots, with plans to expand into workshops, exhibitions and studio hire. Photographic works created here will be displayed throughout the building, creating a visual conversation between contemporary image-making and House Warmers’ mid-century designs.
House Warmers is a mid-century furniture retailer founded by Lolly Heaney and Ben Golotta. Known for their carefully sourced Scandinavian and Australian pieces from the 1950s to 1970s, the pair have returned to the city with their largest showroom to date. After time with Renew Adelaide and a base on Unley Road, the move marks a significant step forward for the growing business.
The expansive 260 square metre warehouse has allowed House Warmers to show their collection at scale, finally. Iconic designs by Johannes Andersen, Kai Kristiansen and Hans Wegner are arranged across concrete floors beneath high ceilings, with natural light flooding the space. The layout is a combination of retail and exhibition, giving each piece room to be appreciated on its own terms.
Common Uncommon
House Warmers
At the front of the building, Idle Hands has opened its doors as a daytime cafe that transitions into a wine bar on Fridays. Founded by siblings Lewis and Ella McDonald, the venue is the culmination of years spent working across some of Adelaide’s most respected hospo kitchens and bars, as well as experiences abroad.
“Idle Hands did a test bake sale day over the weekend just gone, just to test a few things, and officially they’re open for business from the 5th with normal trading hours,” said Alex. Idle Hands will be slinging freshly-baked goods, coffee, hot and cold Milo “with no shitty chocolate powder”, sandwiches, natural wines, and “absolutely no matcha” as Lewis commented on Instagram.
Idle Hands is guided by routine rather than trends, drawing influence from the kitchens and style of Japan and Europe. The menu centres on naturally leavened sourdough, simple breakfast dishes and custard tarts, paired with coffee from Melbourne’s Wood & Co and Adelaide favourite Kindred Coffee. As the working week comes to a close, the focus shifts to local and international wines, including Lewis’ own label, launching soon.
Screenshot
Screenshot
Now more than just a shared address, this Gilbert Street project is about creating a place that evolves. Neighbouring the Gilbert Street Hotel, the trio hopes the space will encourage people to explore and return, whether it’s for a coffee, a piece of furniture or a creative idea.
“Sharing resources makes it more of a long-term game, rather than a pop-up that lasts a few months and falls through. I definitely want to play the long game. You can’t build a community in a month. Being able to set up roots and focus on longevity is more fulfilling and leads to a better outcome,” shared Alex.
With the doors now open, this once simple warehouse is quietly becoming one of the CBD’s most considered new arrivals.
Idle Hands is now open Thursday and Friday from 7am to 2pm and then 5pm to 11pm Friday evenings, 8am to 2pm on Saturdays and 9pm to 2pm on Sundays. Common Uncommon will be launching shortly with a website and socials, and House Warmers is now open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
Housewarmers, Idle Hands, Common Uncommon
Where: 100 Gilbert Street
Instagram: house.warmers, idle.hands.adl, Common Uncommon coming soon.
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Keen to read more? Check out the coming soon article we did back in January, here.
