Ayers House is considered to be one of the finest examples of Colonial Regency architecture in Australia and remains the largest and best preserved of the houses designed by George Strickland Kingston.

It is believed that the story begun in 1845 when Robert Thornber, gentleman, built a small cottage on Town Acre No. 30, which he then sold to William Paxton. In 1855 Paxton sailed for England and let the house to Henry Ayers. Paxton never returned to South Australia and in 1871 Henry Ayers finally purchased the property for 400 pounds. Henry Ayers had gradually enlarged the house in stages, beginning in 1858 with the addition of library, bedrooms (now the Henry Ayers Room) and a ballroom which was completed in 1860. In 1862 the ballroom was exquisitely decorated with intricate designs in gold leaf, while chandeliers were hung from two ornate ceiling roses.

Henry Ayers fortune was founded on the Burra Copper Mines and his political life began in 1857 when he was elected a member of the first Legislative Council. During a 38 year political career, he was Premier 7 times, Cabinet Minister 11 times and President of the Legislative Council for 12 years. His name was the centre of Adelaide’s society and political life for 30 years.

Sir Henry loved to entertain and his second daughter records evening parties” with dancing in the ballroom and the garden trees festooned with lights. He kept an old clock on the mantle piece, and my father always had the hands pointing to midnight, so our guests would not go away too soon. He regularly hosted luncheons and dinners and gave great care and forethought to the selection of the menu and wines that accompanied it. His grandson remembers the wine vaults which were of the most ample and spacious description.

In 1972, the Government of Premier Don Dunstan redeveloped the property and the new complex was opened in the following years. In addition to the Henry Ayers Restaurant, the coachhouse and the stables area was adapted to form a bistro restaurant, which in 1985 further renovations took place adding the spectacular glass-domed roof, now Henry’s Brasserie.