Page 39 - KBHA BULLETIN 19

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An interesting fact is that the garden walls which form the spatial edge of Main Road are to

this day still about 85% stone all the way from Muizenberg Station to Holy Trinity Church in
Kalk Bay. This is nothing short of a heritage miracle and due to no major road widenings

having taken place during the last 90 years.

Beginning with Muizenberg station, I believe that this is probably the most important stone
building on the Muizenberg – Kalk Bay strip. It has a symmetrical plan and contains much

fine dressed stonework. The proportions are good and the clock-tower contains fine joinery

detailing. (Figs. 1.52 – 56.) Signage, a major problem throughout the area, rears its head here
where the station name-board is placed insensitively over the main key stone at the centre of

the building. This is a small detail but important in that it displays a general heritage

ignorance and possibly covers carving details which the mason may have carried out to
record names and dates.

One can only hope that the 1950s and later additions which are intermittent along the strip are

steadily demolished. (Fig. 1.57.)

The Posthuis has had many interventions as can be seen from old photos, but nevertheless, it

retains an essential stone character and as a bonus, has a lovely Cape charm. Important to
note, in my opinion, is that stone can be painted with lime-wash and still remain authentic.

(Fig. 1.58.) Also interesting are the Delbridge houses on the hillside. The lost quality of
houses with no boundary walls. The debate arising here is, clearly, how do we decide which

era is the better to fix a time for restoration?

The former Carnegie Library and old Post Office are an interesting pair in that they exhibit as

neighbours the stylistic choices available at the time: Neo-classical and Cape Dutch. (Fig.
1.59.) The glass stoep enclosure does nothing for the street elevation, in my view.

The Casa Labia has a striking entrance of rough-faced dressed stonework. Particularly
pleasing is the quirky oversized key stone which pops up through the landing balustrade. Also

interesting is that the entrance stairs are not also constructed in stone. Again, even in a
tasteful restoration, the signage cut into the entrance piers is a poor decision. (Fig. 1.60.)

Again, stylistic variation side by side in these two wonderful houses. (Fig. 1.61.) The splayed