Page 58 - Bulletin 15 2011

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His design for John Cornwell of Greystones, 18 Main Road, a Proclaimed
National Heritage Site (27 December 1985), was his most prominent work,
while the design of Broomberg’s grocery shop and swelling, corner of Main
and Norman Road, Kalk Bay in 1902 also involved his architecture.

He died on 7 October 1939, aged eighty-ve at his home, Montana Vista,
Aliwal Road Wynberg. His wife Margaret Elizabeth had predeceased him

(died in November 1935). He was survived by his seven children, ve boys
and two girls.

William Black (1868-1922) FBIRA (1902)

William Black came to Cape Town in May 1893 from the land of his
birth, Victoria State, Australia. He completed his articles with a leading
Melbourne rm, Albert Purchas. He was a
brilliant architect was elected a Fellow of the
Royal Victorian Institute of Architects at the age
of twenty-one. Soon after arriving in Cape Town
he went into his own practice. In 1904 he invited
his brother, Herbert and William Fagg to join him
in partnership (Black and Fagg).

Black’s works in St. James are most
noteworthy. In 1896 he designed the home La
Rivage, the forerunner of the St. James Hotel, for
Mr. J.W. Attwell, a former mayor of Cape Town
and director of the Attwell Baking Company.

Black had a great love of St. James and in April
1912 he designed and supervised the building of
his family holiday home, Byagalo, today No. 10
William Black - 1922 St. James Road. He followed this design with The

Mearns, corner of Hillrise and Sorrento Roads for Ethel Arderne in October
1913 and in the same month designed Braeside in Braemer Road for John
Robert Wiley. This home is now a Provincial Heritage Site (30 May 1985).
In April 1914 he designed a holiday home for Mr. Adolf Fichardt, 6-8 St.
James Road which stood in front of Byagalo. This home was enlarged to
double storey by architect Kenneth Commin in July 1936. In October 1915
Black designed the home Iris Villa, 26 Main Road for Frank Rhodes, as well
as Esme Cottage in 1918 which stood behind Iris Villa at 24 Main Road. Iris
Villa was altered and extended by architect Hubert Roberts in 1948, but the
twin gable remained and the new owner, Arthur Barlow M.P. renamed the
home Twee Gevels. Other homes Black designed in St. James included No.