Page 193 - KBHA BULLETIN 6

In 1912 the residents of Rodwell Road petitioned the KB-MM to sanction and construct a

suitable "hard road" and steps to their properties. (Moselle Road was built only in 1929).

This was duly done at a cost of £750 which had to be paid by the residents in one single
payment. The pro-rata share of the payment was based on the length of each resident’s

property exposed to the road. The road was gravelled and in later years almost solely
maintained by Oscar Thesen. In 1935, however, he, J. B. Taylor, and T. M. Findlay

petitioned the Cape Town City Council (KB-MM had unified with CTCC in 1913) for the
road be extended to the south side to incorporate J. B. Taylor’s new garages at "Lancelevy"

(later "Rodwell House".) They further requested that the road be tarred and with suitable

drainage be put in good condition. This was done by the Council and completed in 1935 at
a cost of £390 which was shared among the petitioners on the usual "frontage-area" basis.

Mr. G. Kinnes built No. 44 Main Road in 1936. He bought the ground which formed part
of Lot 8 of Rodwell Estate from Mrs. Hamilton and, to architect K. V. Commin’s design,

built "Carnoustie" named after his home town in NE Scotland. Mr. K. V. Commin was also
the architect of the New Methodist Church in Muizenberg.

"Rodwell House", No. 52 Main Road, is a mansion and formed the bulk of Lot 8 of

Rodwell Estate. It was the home of J. B. Taylor and built to architect Fred Glennie’s

design. Glennie operated in association with Edward Osbourn, and had been the architect
for Natale Labia’s palatial home, "The Fort", Main Road Muizenberg, which had greatly

impressed J. B. Taylor.

Taylor had bought in 1932 the original home "Rodwell" on Lot 8. This most attractive
home was set well back from the Main Road and had an impressive driveway up to the

house. J. B., his wife and servant lived there and in February 1934 he requested the

Council, under section 16 of the Housing Act, for permission to demolish "Rodwell" (a
home of some 8 rooms) and build "Lancelevy", a mansion of some 13 living rooms /

bathrooms etc. Permission was granted on 28 February 1934 and after demolition

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