The City Hall is in the process of being restored to its former glory. This is the first major refurbishment of the venue since 1947, and now the spruced-up facility is ready to take centre stage to host more world-class events and be a public place for all. The summer 2018-19 issue of City Views shone the spotlight on this Central City gem and revealed some lesser known facts about it.
Constructed in 1905 from imported Bath limestone, polished Aberdeen granite and marble sourced from Italy, the City Hall at the heart of the Central City is arguably one of the most iconic buildings in Cape Town or even South Africa.
Says David Hart, principal professional from the heritage resources section of the City of Cape Town’s Environmental Management Department: “The City Hall is designed to make a statement and, with it being almost entirely imported from Britain and Europe in both materials and architectural style, it concedes nothing to its local context; it’s a magnificent declaration of its time, built in a style reminiscent of the French Second Empire.
“What makes the building special is that not much has changed; it still has a great deal of integrity and it’s wonderful that it’s being restored so that it can be returned to the people of Cape Town to use.”
Standing tall and proud for 113 years, the City Hall lies between Longmarket and Darling streets in the East City (Precinct 4) and was designed in two portions, namely, the administration and Grand Hall wing. As such, in its heyday, matters of local importance were debated at the City Hall and decisions made here that went on to shape Cape Town into the city we know today. It was then, in recognising the value of this historic venue and the need to preserve it, that the City of Cape Town instituted the refurbishment.
The makeover includes replacing and upgrading the main auditorium seating, stabilising and restoring floors as well as installing a new mechanical ventilation and fi re system. Restoration work has also been undertaken in surrounding function rooms as well as the main entrance hall, on the slate roof and on the organ in the main auditorium – a key feature of the City Hall. This restoration work is not only visually appealing but also significant in ensuring that the City Hall is compliant with national safety regulations so that all who come to enjoy the venue can do so with peace of mind. David further explained that Cape Town based heritage architect, John Rennie, played a significant role in ensuring that the refurbishment of the City Hall was done with utmost care to preserve the integrity of the heritage building and the equipment within.
THE HIDDEN GEMS INSIDE THE CITY HALL
Most people in the past have only seen what was broken when looking at the City Hall; but stepping inside is akin to getting lost in a book and going on a journey of discovery as the building is filled with hidden gems. Back on the street, you’re reminded of the old cliché to never judge a book by its cover. David outlines some of the interesting things about the City Hall below:
Construction of the City Hall
The City Hall took five years to complete after the laying of its cornerstone in 1900 and many of the workers who built it were from District Six.
Painted glass windows
The venue has painted glass windows depicting King Edward VII (ruler of the UK at the time the City Hall was built) and his wife, Queen Alexandra. King Edward’s statue can also be seen on the Grand Parade facing the City Hall.
The marble stair
The most impressive and decorative feature of the City Hall is the marble stair leading up from the main front entrance. Designed to be the ceremonial entrance to the heart of the city, it was procured from Italy.
The classic pipe organ
The venue boasts a classic pipe organ made from mahogany, teak and pine. Its specifications were especially drawn up for the City Hall by Sir George Martin, an organist of St Paul’s Cathedral in London.
The Lady of Good Hope
Various statues can be found inside the City Hall including that of The Lady of Good Hope by acclaimed sculptor, Rinaldo Rinaldi.
Mosaic floors
The striking and intricate mosaic floors throughout the City Hall remain a significant feature of the venue.
The Reception Room
Also known as the David Bloomberg Room, the Reception Room is a fine space with an ornate ceiling and a dado panelling of teak. Paintings of previous mayors lined the walls of the room.
Images by Anita Reed (CCID board members standing next to the recently unveiled Mandela Statue at City Hall), Scott Arendse