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Welcome to the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage TrustThe 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....PROGRAMMEHERITAGE TODAY! - A programme for all those who care about out old buildings. They can now listen to the podcasts by clicking on the icon. Tuesday mornings at 10h45 Stay tuned.
1st Quarter Programme Jan to Mar 2011 - click to download word document else view it on-line under the quarterly programmes section. Click to view the Newsletter.
EXCELLENT NEWS! At last Eikenlaan, Mike’s Kitchen, has finally been declared a Provincial Heritage Site – it’s safe now. !2 Seymour Avenue – the big house designed by Kallenbach and Kennedy in 1912- has also been declared. The cottages in Erin Road, Doornfontein, overlooking Ellis Park have been declared at our request. Berea Fire Station which is generally a favourite. Kirchoff’s little building in town. Beacon Royal in Yeoville –a beacon of hope and very attractive Art Deco block of flats seen from Louis Botha Avenue This was also one of our nominations. St Aubyn’s 60 Westcliff Drive which many people knew as the Missak Museum and which was bought by Ingrid Staude Griessel and restored by the architect Kate Otten has at long last been declared a Provincial Heritage Site
RISSIK STREET POST OFFICE Restoration watch Tuesday 18th October 2011 Most fortunately both Mlungisi Shongwe and Brian Mahlungu of the Johannesburg Property Company joined Flo Bird on Heritage Today to explain the progress being made on the restoration programme. Mlungisi denied vehemently that the site had been abandoned. There were still a few workers engaged in tidying up and finishing off Phase 1. He also assured Flo that the site was properly guarded night and day. They were at paints to point out that they had had one proposal from the private sector which needed to be evaluated alongside the interest from the City for using it as the office of the Executive Mayor. Brian welcomed ideas, help and advice from the community especially the heritage specialists. He even suggested getting heritage specialists to train apprentices on the job. While we are definitely very short of artisans and craftsmen to handle heritage buildings, Flo did not think the Rissik Street Post Office was a good place to start practising skills. But if there are specialists out there who would be interested it would be worth speaking to the heritage architect in charge. Read all about it on our Heritage page - click here to switch to heritage page
Heritage News Click here to read all about it! Click here to view our Westcliff page
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 : 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 !
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
Last Edit : 10/01/2012
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