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THIS IS THE ARCHIVE FOR SAHRIS 1.0


THIS SITE IS NOW AN ARCHIVE AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MAKING APPLICATIONS

Please be aware that no content and application creation or changes to information on this version of SAHRIS will be retained.

To make applications or utilise SAHRIS for the creation of information, please use the new site:

https://sahris.org.za

Changes to SAHRIS!

The South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS) has undergone a generational upgrade and restructure. These changes to the site include, but are not limited to:

  • A new & modernised look and layout
  • Improved site usage flows with respect to applications and content creation
  • Improved site performance and stability

Launch for the new version of SAHRIS occurred on Monday the 30th of October 2023.

The new site can be found here:

SAHRIS | SAHRIS

9/2/407/0055

Group

SiteHeader

SiteID: 

26318

FullSiteName: 

Main Post Office, West 290 (Cnr Gardiner) Street, Durban

SiteCategory: 

PropertyIsSite: 

No

ReferenceList: 

Relationships: 

Group content visibility: 

Public - accessible to all site users

Author: 

Anonymous
Post date: 07/08/2012
Site Comments:

Archive Import
History: The Old Durban Town Hall, at present the General Post Office, was designed in 1882 by Phillip Dudgeon. The foundation stone was laid in 1883 and the building was opened in 1885. The building is an outstanding example of neo-Classical architecture and played an important part in the history of Natal. The general Post Office building; Durban'; situated on a certain piece of land, being "'Lot Post Office'' of the block Market Square on the town lands of the Borough of Durban. Natal, bounded in the north by town land, Gardiner and incom.

The first meeting of the South African National Convention took place under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of the Cape, Lord De Villiers, in a hall on the left of the building. The convention, which met to draw up a draft constitution for a united South Africa, consisted of delegates of the Parliaments of the four self-governing colonies and included such leading statesmen of South Africa as President M. T. Steyn, Louis Botha, J. C. Smuts, J. B. M. Hertzog, J. X. Merriman and Dr. L. S. Jameson.
Visual Description: The Durban Post Office stands at the corner of West Street and Gardiner Street. Its Renaissance architecture contrasts with the hard lines of the tall modern concrete buildings in the neighbourhood but its colonnade of Greek columns and dignified tower in the Roman tradition make it a building of distinction in the modern city centre. It was originally built as Durban’s first City Hall and was completed in 1885. At that time it was unequalled in size and grandeur. Front and side spaces including boundary walls, posts, gates and fencing; overall form; double-storied.
Colours:
Site Features: plaque, tower and fleche
Condition: Fair
Construction Date: 1882
Materials: brick :
Catalogue: , No: , Significance Category:

Directions:
Gardener St is a oneway heading to the harbour and Pine St a oneway heading inland. The site is in the CBD.
 
 

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