Your opinion is needed to reach decisions.
This burnt-out building at the centre of Kommetjie has become a focus of community concern about:
Safety
The prohibitive cost of total replacement to original specs as far as possible
Eyesore
Loss of amenities
Heritage
Possible future structure look, feel and function
Practical remedial action has been slowed down by a combination of Heritage Western Cape (HWC); City of Cape Town and Insurance company requirements.
The KRRA has undertaken to help push the process along by engaging with the HWC.
To do this with some degree of confidence that we are representing the consensus of concerned residents we invite you to respond to these questions:
Would you support a complete demolition of the entire building (excluding the vet-surf shop wing)?
How (if at all) would you like the 1923 Swan Lodge building to be memorialised or what are your ideas on this community heritage matter?
What sort of building replacement do you envisage bearing in mind its G3 zoning (General business up to three stories)?
Which functions (commercial, residential or other) do you see as high on Kommetjie’s need list?
Any other concerns/ comments? (Brief please)
Please email your responses to Ian Macduff ian@studiosalt.co.za
Many thanks
Patrick Dowling
KRRA
Agree. Check what the building looked like once upon a time https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbn.co.za%2Ffeatured%2Fkommetjie-loses-one-of-its-most-historic-buildings-swan-lodge%2F&psig=AOvVaw2v3Hoe8ajX2yqa2EGCVhYw&ust=1686682832257000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCNCJzaq1vv8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
I never saw the building as being particularly artistic or even that it stood out as being of historic merit, even though I do understand that it had been around for some time and therefore had a level of historic merit. I would prefer to see most of the frontage removed from the old Lighthouse pub thru either to the end or to the end of the old mini market. I do believe that the site has considerable merit as a focal point of our village and this element should be preserved. However, equally, the usage should not compete with the proposed SPAR precinct and should therefore be in the order of non-competing shops or offices on the ground fl…
The above comment is well considered and I would endorse the sentiments expressed. I would rather not see another Superette type store incorporated in the rebuild since the advertising by the previous Superette was obtrusive and an eyesore. Also, the new Spar will, eventually, provide for the needs of residents and the deli next to Espresso offers a range of goods. As to whether the new development should incorporate elements of a residential nature depends on the overall design. A mix of commercial and residential lends stability to the development and increases security by virtue of having people around 24/7. I also would not place too much emphasis on the historical aspects of the building. No none who does not…
Swan Lodge, though not particularly beautiful or aesthetically significant in architectural terms, has been a modest centerpiece of Kommetjie since 1923, symbolizing a semi-rural, unassuming village life that has contributed to a sense of place which speaks of a lack of pretention, deference to natural landscapes and community needs more than wants. As such the property has served as an effective holding influence that has helped thwart the sort of overly ambitious and ostentatious development that has afflicted other parts of Cape Town for several decades.
I would be keen to see proposals for a rebuild (after the whole site has been safe) that, not necessarily replicating the original, shows sensitivity to the physical and historical context and physical centre…