Alfred Wells (architect) facts for kids
Alfred Wells (born May 16, 1859 – died December 8, 1935) was a talented architect who designed many important buildings in South Australia.
Early Life and Learning
Alfred Wells was born in a place called Marryatville, which is near Adelaide. His parents were Percy and Caroline Wells. He went to school in Norwood.
When Alfred was 12, in 1871, his family traveled back to England on a ship called the Yatala. Sadly, the ship was wrecked off the coast of France on the way, but luckily, no one was hurt. Alfred continued his education in Surrey, England. He then studied to become an architect in London. In 1879, he returned to Adelaide to start his career.
Designing Buildings
Alfred Wells began his career working for government departments that designed buildings. He also worked with other well-known architects like Edmund Wright.
In 1885, Alfred joined a business with another architect named Latham A. Withall. Together, they designed two famous buildings in Adelaide:
- The Adelaide Arcade, which is a beautiful shopping area.
- The Jubilee Exhibition Building, which had amazing domes. This building was taken down around 1965.
After Withall moved to Britain in 1888, Alfred Wells continued the business on his own. He designed two buildings for the Adelaide Children's Hospital (now called the Women's and Children's Hospital). These buildings, the Allan Campbell and Angas Buildings, are still standing today.
Alfred Wells also designed many other important buildings, including:
- The first building for the Adelaide Electric Supply Company in 1901. This building is now the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.
- The Brookman Building on Grenfell Street.
- The Norwood Town Hall, which is still used today.
- The Thebarton Town Hall in Thebarton. This building was built in 1885 but was badly damaged by fire in 1948.
- The South Australian Hotel on North Terrace. Famous groups like The Beatles stayed here in 1964. The hotel was taken down in 1971.
Later Years
Alfred Wells retired from his work in 1926. He passed away in 1935 at the Memorial Hospital, North Adelaide.
Other Activities
Besides his work as an architect, Alfred Wells was also involved in his community. He served as a councillor for the City of St. Peters. Like his father, he was also a prominent member of the Freemasons, which is a social and charitable organization.
Family Life
Alfred Wells married Gertrude E. Pollock on August 29, 1883. They lived in Collinswood and had two sons and two daughters:
- Alfred Cuthbert Wells (1884–1952)
- Geoffrey Erskine Wells (1891–1917), who was a Captain in the army and sadly died in action in Belgium during a war.
- (Marjorie) Gertrude Wells (1888–). She once owned a painting by the famous artist Whistler, which was later bought by the Art Gallery of South Australia.
- Audrey Hall Wells (1897–1953)
