With the recent demolition of the Blue Waters Manor House in Somerset West, the town has lost more than an attractive old house. It has lost a tangible connection with its architectural and social history. While development and urban densification are both necessary and inevitable, the Blue Waters case raises important questions about how heritage
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It is appropriate to begin with a declaration of interest: I contributed a chapter on Prynnsberg and supported the publication of this book. That proximity, however, also allows for a fuller appreciation of both its achievements and its limitations. Jackie Kalley, publishing under her Otterley Press
Blue Plaques
The house was designed by EC Choinier in 1904 for Ohlsson's Breweries. The first occupant was Robert Kantor, their manager, who had been extensively involved in provisioning the Imperial Military Railways during the war. Thirsty soldiers gave a major impetus to local breweries including Ohlsson's which bought Thoma Breweries in Braamfontein in 1902 and by 1906 had built a much bigger plant, LION Breweries.