THE TATE HOUSE

Tait House (140 Woburn Avenue) was designed by Robert Macbeth Robertson, one of the leading architects of the Victorian era, for entrepreneur WM Tait. Built in 1911, the House boasts features typical of Edwardian era architecture - such as its red clay bricks and arched verandah. The historic home forms part of an important group of Victorian-era buildings to the west of the Benoni CBD.

In 2009, local businessman Gerritt van der Stelt stumbled across a small demolition notice attached to a boundary wall of the highly significant Tait House in Benoni. Inspired by van der Stelt, the community organised a petition and disseminated a strong case for preservation. Attempts to spur the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng (PHRAG) into action failed with numerous phone calls and emails going unreturned.

The community commissioned an independent assessment into the structural integrity of the building after the developer claimed that the house was a safety risk, in danger of collapse. The assessment found the stoep to be a safety hazard, but the main house as sturdy as ever.

With no response from the PHRAG and demolition contractors circling van der Stelt grew desperate. He contacted John Robbie from Talk Radio 702, and secured a slot on the morning show. The response was overwhelming as van der Stelt explains:

"This had an immediate effect in that the head of Ekurhuleni Building called me after the slot and proposed that an urgent meeting be held to establish why permission was granted despite numerous previous declinations. Derek Morris and I attended what turned out to be a very positive meeting. The sole objective was to get a stay of execution which, in fact, was granted by virtue of the demolition permit being withdrawn."

Although the threat of demolition had dissipated, the historic house was far from safe. Vandals had easy access to the site and the overall condition deteriorated rapidly. Developer interest in the property dwindled due to 'heritage restrictions' and the increasing cost of restoration.

With no 'official' solution in sight, a developer 'bought' the property with the aim of restoring the house. After a few months, this deal seemed to have fallen through when another developer, Les Godwin, acquired the property and happily retained the original house - restored it to its former glory and constructed a modern office block adjacent to the 'old' house whose architectural features are enhanced.

The Heritage Portal is happy to report that, not only is the house still standing, but it could become a powerful symbol of the ability of old and new to coexist and thrive.