PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - One of Plettenberg Bay's oldest buildings, the Old Rectory, which dates back to the Dutch East India Company (VOC), will be the subject of the next Van Plettenberg Historical Society meeting in May.
Architect Dael Fairbairn, principal of award-winning Erasmus Fairbairn Architects, will relate how she came to be entrusted with the restoration and transformation of the Old Rectory into a luxury boutique hotel.
In a talk entitled Preserving the past, designing the future: The Old Rectory's elegant evolution, Fairbairn will explain the spirit of place of the project.
Originally built as a barracks by the VOC in the 18th century, it was referred to as "the Barracks" well into the 19th century, providing housing for the VOC's woodcutters and soldiers.
In 1869, Bishop Grey bought the house for the Anglican Church to house its clergy - hence the name. When the new rectory was built in 1939, the original became known as the "Old Rectory".
Known for their meticulous attention to detail, Fairbairn's firm specialises in creating buildings that embody the genius loci (spirit of place) in every project they undertake.
The late Robert John Crawford Brunt began negotiations to purchase it in 1942. The house was occupied for almost 40 years by the Crawford-Brunt family with few alterations.
It was sold in 1981 to Nico Opperman.
Amazingly, aside from the original thatched roof being replaced by corrugated iron in 1887, very few structural alterations had been made.
This made Plett's Old Rectory a rare piece of architectural and cultural history - remaining virtually intact from its construction nearly 250 years before.
Sadly, many historical sites and beautiful buildings are being lost in our country.
An old photograph of the Old Rectory.
Thanks to the original vision of Nico Opperman, our Old Rectory did not meet such a fate.
In 1997, sanctioned by Heritage Western Cape and after consulta-tions with architects Gabriel & Gwen Fagan, best remembered for their restoration of the historical and heritage buildings damaged by the 1969 Tulbagh earthquake, Nico Opperman gave a presentation of the proposed development to the Van Plettenberg Historical Society.
This was very well received and fully supported.
Subsequently the Old Rectory changed hands once again.
Its new owners, Chick Legh of Kay and Monty Vineyards and his partner Thys van Heerden of Rare Earth Retreats, never lost sight of this vision.
The Old Rectory project presented a unique challenge of seamlessly integrating a 250-year-old structure with modern amenities and design.
Fairbairn's approach blended elements from different eras, combining careful restoration of the historic building with new construction that respects the site's rich heritage.
By employing noble materials and a timeless aesthetic, she has preserved a significant piece of architectural history while also providing guests with a luxurious, contemporary experience rooted in the site's unique character.
Date : Friday 16 May
Time: 17:00 for 16:00
Venue: The Old Rectory, Meeding Street, Plettenberg Bay.
For additional information please email:info@pletthistory.org
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