The Bar Chambers, constructed in 1866, is important as an illustratuion of the development of housing in the Adelaide City area in an early period of consolidation and prosperity. Through its simple two story form and austere detailing it is representative of early South Australian architecture.

The scale, style, use of materials and corner location of the Bar Chambers makes it an important element of Carrington Street.

The Bar Chambers is a simple two story mid-Victorian style residence with features typical of 1860s buildings. It is a bluestone rubble construction with stuccoed enrichment and red brick trim. It has simple austere detailing with an unshaded facade, a medium pitched corrugated iron roof and raised gable ends. The corner location, scale and style of the building make it an important element in Carrington Street.

The Bar Chambers was erected for William Tomsey Cooper as a residence in 1866. At the time, Cooper worked in a senior position in the Waterworks Department. Cooper lived in the house until ca 1885 when he leased it to Dr Niesche for a number of years. The building was extended during Cooper's occupation, in about 1881. The single storeyed eastern section does not appear on the 1880 Smith Survey and would have been built at a later stage. The building is now used as legal chambers. This change in use is significant because it has facilitated the survival of the building.