The SA Heritage Resource Agency (Sahra) said that after considering objections to the idea, the advantage of a development to house provincial government offices in one area weighed more than keeping the buildings.

Thabo Kgomommu, the provincial manager of the regulating agency, said the buildings in question were in the area of Beyers Naude Square.

The buildings now earmarked for the wrecker's ball, which Kgomommu said last month were all in good condition, once housed the Rand Water Board, Colonial Bank and Volkskas Bank.

Others are the Anglo American building on Main Street, the Federal Hotel and Broadcast House on Commissioner Street, and the Union Castle Building on Loveday and Commissioner streets.

"It's up to the provincial government to decide when the buildings will be demolished. Our role was just to give them the go-ahead."

'It could have been possible'

He said it had not been an option to house provincial government offices in the historic buildings, although "it could have been possible".

Kgomommu said: "In line with the new dispensation in the country, Sahra has also considered the socio-economic spin-offs that will flow from the project.

"If the project goes ahead, the regeneration of the inner city will be enhanced.

"Sahra believes there are important heritage resources that will be better appreciated and therefore better conserved."

Has considered the impact

Certain conditions would be imposed on developers so that the development did not completely wipe out the memory of the affected area.

"The relevant Sahra committee has considered the impact the project will have on the future of Johannesburg, especially the important buildings that will remain."

There are more than 100 art deco buildings in the city centre, dating back to the 1930s and 1940s when the style was at its height around the world.