The Rhodes Memorial Tea Room, located at the foot of Devil’s Peak, is finally set for a major refurbishment. This comes more than two years after a devastating fire left the building in ruins.
The Rhodes Memorial Tea Room, alongside several other structures and over 600 acres of land, was severely damaged during a fire that raged across the slopes of the mountain, reaching as far as the University of Cape Town (UCT). The fire, which took three days to contain, resulted in significant damage to the Jagger Library, Mostert’s Mill, Cadboll House and La Grotta.
Two firefighters were seriously injured during the operation, and a homeless man was initially charged with arson and treason, though the charges were later dropped.
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Heritage enthusiasts and locals have welcomed Table Mountain National Park’s (TMNP) decision to start the Rhodes Memorial Tea Room restoration project. The project marks a new chapter for this site, which has been a part of Cape Town’s history for decades.
Megan Taplin, the park manager of TMNP, outlined the process undertaken to select an architectural service provider:
‘This establishment which forms an integral part of the TMNP will receive a new leaf of life following the appointment of Gabriel Fagan Architects,’ said Taplin.
The appointed company’s scope of work includes designing the tearoom and related ablutions, as well as consulting with Heritage Western Cape on compliance measures.
She emphasised that the restoration is not just about rebuilding but about preserving a piece of Cape Town’s rich heritage.
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The extensive damage caused by the April 2021 fire necessitated substantial funding. Taplin confirmed that this funding has been secured through the combined efforts of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and insurance claims.
‘This RFP will be issued in line with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Toolkit for Tourism and in compliance with the National Treasury Regulations in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999.’
Following the restoration, TMNP plans to open proposals for operators to manage the tea room.
SANParks expressed its gratitude to the public for their patience during this time and to the Friends of Rhodes Memorial for their continued contribution to the area.
‘We will continue to keep the public and interested parties informed of new developments and when the construction of the tearoom begins,’ concluded Taplin.
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Picture: Jolame Chirwa / Unsplash