Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa's grand plan for a government precinct was announced nearly two years ago.

The plan to have the provincial government occupy about 150,000m² of office space was hailed as a major boost for the decaying inner city.

But it meant that some buildings in the four-block radius between Rissik and Sauer streets and Pritchard and Fox streets would have to make way for a new development.

The provincial government bought about 16 buildings it had earmarked to form part of the precinct for government buildings.

It also bought the Joburg City Hall for R20-million and, in the process, became one of the city's biggest property owners.

The plan hit a snag when the province revealed that some of the city's older buildings would need to be demolished.

A heritage impact assessment found that six of the buildings were of significant cultural value to the city. As a result, the SA Heritage Resources Agency requested a more detailed assessment. The detailed report recommended that the following nine buildings be saved:

• Rand Water Building, which is situated at 3 Fraser Street. Completed in 1941, it has been found to have the qualities of a heritage landmark;
• Custom House, a nine-storey building on the corner of Market and Fraser streets, which dates back to 1967/68;
• Thusanong, also known as Litorn House, which dates back to 1959;
• Volkskas Building, on Market Street, which is also known as the Absa building;
• People's Bank Building, which features a distinct rounded corner, was completed in 1941;
• New Library Hotel, which has existed since 1938 on the corner of Commissioner and Fraser streets;
• First National Bank Building, which is situated on the corner of Market and Simmonds streets. Designed by well-known architect Monty Sack, this culturally important concrete construction with a flat concrete roof was built in 1960;
• Clegg House, a 10-storey building on the corner of Commissioner and Simmonds streets, was designed by architectural firm JA Moffat & Harvey;
• South African Reserve Bank House, which demonstrates some characteristics of the Art Deco architectural style; and
• RSA Building, situated on the southeastern corner of Market and Fraser streets, which is the only building considered to have "limited cultural significance". - Isaac Mahlangu

Sunday Times
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge