Modderfontein has seen changes at an alarming rate in recent years.
The area has seen the:
• Advent of the Gautrain.
• The demolition of the Gate House.
• The developments of Westlake on Lakeside’s border and Long Lake in the vicinity of Fish Eagle Dam.
• The extension of Marlboro Drive.
• The redevelopment at Sprinkell.
Any development that has an impact on items of heritage value, (buildings older that 60 years) must be subject to an Heritage Impact Assessment.
Keith Martin, who is a heritage champion for the Modderfontein Conservation Society said Heartland Properties commissioned such an assessment over a portion of the property, which was approved by the government for development prior to the numerous changes. This resulted in listed items receiving protected status.
“The survey made various recommendations, such as the preservation of buildings of heritage interest as well as a requirement that these buildings be returned to their original appearance.
“In addition, there was a requirement that three houses in Antwerp Avenue, between Centenary Road and the Gautrain line, be relocated to a site at the western gate to Franz Hoenig Haus on High Street. They fall within the proposed heritage precinct,” said Martin.
No 9 Antwerp, built in 1896 is a building that received a reprieve from demolition, when the Gautrain route was realigned, unlike its neighbour, No 7 and two houses across the road, circa 1920 which succumbed to the demolisher’s equipment.
Fittings that could be retrieved from the demolished houses were stored in No 9 for future use in its refurbishment.
“Unfortunately a lot of these items were stolen and the building further vandalised during the Gautrain construction. Heartland commenced with the difficult relocation task using no 13 as a test case. The process required intense documentation and photographic evidence.
“All items within the buildings were marked, dismantled, cleaned and stored in containers. These were transported to their new site, within the Franz Hoenig Haus property,” said Martin.
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