Olivianna Mansions rehabilitation
After a devastating fire, the Olivianna Mansions will be rehabilitated to its former glory.
Olivanna Mansions at 10 Market Street, Krugersdorp was destroyed by a devastating fire in July 2011.
This beautiful landmark in the city centre is currently under construction to rehabilitate it to its former glory.
Olivanna Mansions was built in the early 1930s and is the best preserved example in Krugersdorp of the Streamline Moderne architectural style that became popular in the period before World War Two.
A consequence of the Depression was the emergence of a new architecture that was really modern. Streamline Moderne was a reaction to both Art Deco and a reflection of austere economic times.
Sharp angles were replaced with simple, aerodynamic curves. Exotic woods and stone were replaced with cement and glass. The designer KEM Weber once quipped, “We are rounding the corner” to describe the architectural style’s clean and simple lines.
The Streamline Moderne designers used stepped forms, rounded corners, triple-striped decorative elements and black decoration. The most important thing is that they are all in geometrical order and simple formats.
The current owners, Suzanne and Leon Moller obtained a permit from the Gauteng Provincial Heritage Resources Authority in terms of Section 34(1) of the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA), which allows them to rehabilitate and upgrade the building.
Section 34(1) of the NHRA stipulates that “no person may demolish or alter any structure or part of a structure that is older than 60 years without a permit issued by the relevant heritage resources authority”.
This is a general protection that applies to all buildings and structures older than 60 years notwithstanding its current status or condition. The rehabilitation of Olivanna Mansions is under the supervision of Bill Ellis in association with Architekton and Dr Janet du Plooy from West Rand Heritage Consultants.
The contractor responsible for the rehabilitation is Grizell Properties under the personal supervision of its owner, Alida van Straaten. The project leader is Byron Smith who was also responsible for investigating the cause of the fire. He can be contacted via email at byronsmith@live.co.za.
