Welcome to the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust

The few remaining mansions of the Randlords built at the turn of the century are monuments to the colourful history of Johannesburg.

Parktown and Westcliff are two of the oldest suburbs of Johannesburg and home to the mining magnates from 1892 till today. The concentration of power and money, combined with the exuberant and extravagant taste of these pioneers, is reflected in the homes they built on the prominent ridges which lie north of the city centre.
The Trust organises tours of the houses and gardens since most are not accessible to the public.
In recent years the Trust has expanded its historical tours to include other parts of this City of Gold and of Struggle.

Whats New....

PROGRAMME

HERITAGE TODAY! A programme for all those who care about our old buildings. It starts on the 1st of Spetember which is Heritage Month.

Tuesday mornings at 10h45                        Stay tuned.

1st Quarter Programme January to March 2010 - click to download word document else view it on-line under the quarterly programmes section. Click to view the Newsletter.

Sunnyside Park Hotel turns 115 years old in 2010!

We are looking for stories, photo’s and any information regarding times you’ve spent at Sunnyside Park Hotel.  We will be show casing all stories and photos at a bash which will be scheduled some time in March 2010.

Do you have anything to share?  Please contact our General Manager, Ralph Klinkenberg on rklinkenberg@legacyhotels.co.za or our Deputy General Manager Lisa-Ann Neale on lneale@legacyhotels.co.za or give them a call on 011 640 0400.

PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE

Guidelines to owners wishing to change the buildings or the use of property in Westcliff.

        Please note that legal constraints and procedures for Parktown and Parkview are very similar.

Click here to enter the link to our Johannesburg Heritage site or type in www.joburgheritage.co.za

IS YOUR HOUSE CONSERVATION-WORTHY?

Two lists of heritage buildings have been submitted to the City of Johannesburg by the trust. These are arranged by suburb and then by Street. To check whether your house is on the list go to :
PARKTOWN  
  or
WESTCLIFF

NB        The Categories are simply the Trust’s evaluation, not an official status at all. And a few are newer buildings, less than 60 years old.

AA        Very important aesthetically, historically, lovely gardens and in good condition

A          Very important historically and/ or architecturally

B          A fine building, often lovely garden setting, less significant historically OR a very important property not in good condition or altered unsympathetically

C          A good building of its time, possibly altered or extended but still significant to the street and the context.

FEEDBACK PLEASE !

To see the the pictures of the Free State & Lesotho Tour 2008 trip click here! and to see the pictures of the recent 2009 tour to Mpumalanga click here!

CHANGING OR DEMOLISHING OLD BUILDINGS

For the information of our members and anyone interested in heritage buildings we include the form which has to be completed by anyone wanting to alter or demolish structures which are more than 60 years old.

NB: All structures over 60 years old are automatically protected by the national heritage Resources Act and a permit is required from the PROVINCIAL HERITAGE RESOURCES AUTHORITY  before these can be altered or demolished or additions made.

Set up to retain the historic architectural heritage of Parktown and Westcliff, the Trust tries to make this heritage accessible through tours of the buildings and the area, publications and special programmes for school children.

It is a fund-raising organisation and donations are most welcome.

Contact Details

	+27-11-482-3349 weekdays between 09:00 and 13:00 (GMT+2) or use that number to leave a message or send a fax to (011) 482 7807 .
	Northwards 21 Rockridge Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2193;
	parktown@intekom.co.za
	Visit our office at the same address, weekdays between 09.00–13.00

Last Edit : 26/01/2010