The Kensington Castle mystery
According to the Heritage Trust (KHT), the castle's owner, Mr Marius Van Der Spek, has not lived in the house for nearly three years. The property has only been maintained by a caretaker.
An abandoned castle, located along Highland Road in Kensington, was built as a replica of the Rothsay Castle on the Isle of Bute in Scotland.
Built in 1910, the Castle has 10 rooms on four levels and is placed on the hill opposite Langermann’s Kop.
It was also the first home built along Highland Road.
According to the Heritage Trust (KHT), the castle’s owner, Mr Marius Van Der Spek, has not lived in the house for nearly three years. The property has only been maintained by a caretaker.
This beautiful castle is slowly falling into neglect and is beginning to look the opposite of its former version.
The castle is architecturally striking and was clearly once the home of an affluent family.
According to the Kensington Heritage Trust, the castle was built by Mr Samuel Scott Wilson for his wife, Kate MacKirdie, who agreed to marry him on condition that he built her a castle.
Its walls are one meter wide, built on three levels, with the entrance and lounge on the ground floor. The kitchen, dining room and study are also on the first floor and the three bedrooms are located on the top floor with panoramic views.
Ownership of the castle has changed hands several times over the years, with new additions like a cottage, garages and a pool having been added.
The reason this grand castle has been abandoned so many times remains a mystery.
For this reason, the Kensington Heritage Trust, with the assistance of architect Mr David Stirling, has submitted a Provincial Heritage Site Nomination to the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority of Gauteng (PRAG) for full heritage protection. The Kensington Castle is over 100 years old and the group wants to avoid having the castle falling into the wrong hands and possibly being demolished or rezoned for development, as the property stand is 3 198 square metres.
All houses, monuments and structures over 60 years old are protected under Section 34 of the National Heritage Act 25 of 1999.
The Kensington Heritage Trust urges all home owners wanting to make alterations or wanting to demolish their property to contact Maphata Ramphele from PRAG on 083 554 1975 or Isabella Pingle from the Heritage Trust on 083 658 3899.
