From nearly demolished to heritage site
HOUGHTON – The plague acknowledges that on this particular house is where Le Roith's mastery of modern movement is most visible.
A blue plaque was awarded to House Marks in 17th Avenue, Houghton Estate on 13 January.
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF) who installed the plaque shared that the house was a fine example of the Modern Movement (architectural movement) by one of its masters, Harold Le Roith.
“The house is now included in a townhouse development and was saved in part through the efforts of then councillor Marcelle Ravid,” the foundation added.
JHF member Colin Wasserfall conveyed information from Le Roith’s son, Stephen Le Roith. Stephen said, “The house was built in 1940 for AV Marks. The house was almost demolished, but saved with the help of the then councillor for Houghton. She had a daughter who was an architect who identified the house as a Le Roith house.”
Stephen further said he recalled as a side issue that the drawings were done by Tania Kirchoffer, wife of the eminent town planner Max Kirchoffer known for his linking of pedestrian precincts in Rosebank.
“My late father said she was a most talented architect. The Le Roith practice designed many houses in Houghton. This seems to be the only one that has survived,” concluded Stephen.
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