ARTICLES

In a moving speech delivered on November 16, 2024, Eric Itzkin, Deputy Director of Immovable Heritage for the City of Johannesburg, shared the remarkable story of the resurrected dragon pillar in Johannesburg's First Chinatown.

“It always seems impossible until it is done” Nelson Mandela.  

 

BLUE PLAQUES

In 1898 a Swiss Chalet was built here for merchant Carl Rolfes. In 1906 it was bought by Randlord and MP Sir Lionel Philips, chairman of Rand Mines. His influential wife Florence founder of the Johannesburg Art Gallery and described as 'No Ordinary Women', masterminded the creation of the present Villa Arcadia with Architect Sir Herbert Baker.