Restoration of Rissik Street Post Office gets under way

14 April 2016

 

Work has begun to restore the iconic Rissik Street Post Office Building to its former glory.

The building, one of the City of Johannesburg’s heritage sites, was destroyed by fire in November 2009.

It is currently being partially renovated to ensure the structural integrity of the building and to enable interim use while funding is being sought for comprehensive restoration. Long-term plans include the full restoration of the building and the securing of a long-term public use agreement. 

In its 2015-2016 mid-year report to council, the Johannesburg Property Company details progress that has been made on the R147-million restoration project. Refurbishment started with excavations for the columns and a structural active scan that includes radar scanning, exposures for the bases and repairs to the core extraction, and the procurement of the required steel, which has been fabricated in line with the designs.

The main post office hall and the north wing will be renovated for use as flexible space for which an interim use is currently being finalised, whereas the remaining areas will be made safe and cordoned off to ensure no public entry into the building.

The long-term upgrade will include the complete heritage restoration of the building and will be done in accordance with heritage guidelines, regulations and public meetings provided by the Gauteng Provincial Heritage Resources Authority.

Built in 1897, the Rissik Street Post Office was at one stage renowned as Johannesburg’s tallest building at 102m. It operated until it was vacated by the South African Post Office in 1996. Characterised by its bold mix of architectural styles, the building was proclaimed a national monument in 1978.