GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF INFRUSTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT BUILDING ASSESSMENT REPORT HERITAGE REPORT FOR 75/77 FOX STREET, JOHANNESBURG SEPTEMBER, 2014 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. 75/77 FOX STREET, JOHANNESBURG... 3 1.1. Brief History... 3 2. CURRENT BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY (2014)... 4 3. RECOMMENDATION... 4 4. REFERENCES... 5 2
1. 75/77 FOX STREET, JOHANNESBURG NAME OF PROPERTY Imbumba House (Formerly Goldfields Building) STREET ADDRESS 75/77 Fox Street, PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION Erf 1238 Marshalltown BUILDING STYLE BUILDING USAGE Government Offices BUILDING TYPE ARCHITECT Louis Karol Architects COMPLETED 1986 1.1. Brief History The Imbumba House formerly known as Goldfields Building is located at 75 / 77 Fox Street corner of Fox and Sauer Streets. It is part of the portion of the street block bounded by Fox, Sauer, Commissioner and Simmonds streets. The building was sold to the Gauteng Provincial Government on the 1 st of March 2000 by Gold Fields Mining and Development Limited Reg No. 05/17171/06. It currently houses the Department of Finance/Gauteng Shared Services Centre. The building was designed by Louis Karol and Associates and the construction work began in June 1985 with completion in 1986 and the final section was ready for occupation early in 1987. The New Building or Phase Three as this component of the 8 storey building came to be known was part of a three phased building project brought about by lack of office space and ever growing need for accommodation, something that had become problematic since the turn of the century.inthe early seventies, congestion made the need for expansion critical. The availability of land saw the extension of the new building complex which gave rise to a three phased building project. According to Roets (1985: 426), Phase One involved the erection of the new building at the corner of Fox and Sauer Streets in August 1981 with the Head Office Personnel taking occupation in 1983 and Phase Two saw the refurbishment of the original Gold fields building adjacent Commissioner Street Wing, the latter was fully occupied during the quarter of 1985. The building has no title deed restrictions and as such would not impact on the refurbishment or redevelopment of the site however note should be taken of a road widening servitude of differing width. 3
1.2 Heritage Status of the Property Although the building at some stage formed the commercial core of the inner city through hosting of significant financial institutions is not protected under the 60 year rule. 1 2. CURRENT BUILDING CONDITION SURVEY (2014) A detailed multi-disciplinary condition survey was carried out with the following objectives: Assess the current condition of the building, Ensure that the building complies with building regulations, Assess and make recommendations for high-level spacing, and Provide design input for the preparation of a high-level cost estimate. The summary of findings and recommendations below are detailed in the Architectural Assessment Report. The building was found to be occupied and the bulk of equipment / services were present and in working order. Interior The Report recommends minor internal renovations /upgrading in line with acceptable office accommodation or building standards. 3. RECOMMENDATION With the provisions of Section 34 of the National Heritage Resources Act No 25 of 1999 not applicable to this building, therefore, recommendations based on the condition assessment should be implemented in line with the requirements of any other applicable legislation or regulations in order to meet acceptable office accommodation standards. 1 Section 34 (1) of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999: No person may alter or demolish any structure or part of a structure which is older than 60 years without a permit issued by the relevant provincial heritage resources authority. 4
4. REFERENCES Roets A.J. Spotlight on the Gold Fields New Head Office: Journal of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Volume 085n 12 p.426 National Heritage Resources Act No 25 of 1999 http://www.artefacts.co.za/main/buildings/bldg_top.php?bldgid=9181 5