GISKEY (Input giskey if applicable) Condition Under Threat Date of origin c 1976 Previous names n/a Place Pretoria West Street c/o Vermeulen & Schubart Town Pretoria Magisterial district Tshwane Province Gauteng Country South Africa GPS coordinates 25°44'41"S, 28°10'53"E Planning authority name Not Available Architect/Firm Not Available Project architect/Designer Not Available Commissioning owner Department of Community Development Current owner Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Current occupant The building is currently occupied by mostly immegrants and the unemployed Previous uses Rental Housing Current use Used as a night shelter

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Contents 1 Significance 2 Current known heritage status 3 Known interested and affected parties 4 History 5 Description of site and/or structures and/or interior spaces 6 Links 7 Sources 8 Photos

Significance

Schubart Park is one of the largest blocks of flats in South Africa with a total of 813 flats. It is also a prime example of the International Style of architecture and can truly be a historical masterpiece of Tshwane if it is better maintained.

Current known heritage status

None

Known interested and affected parties

Pretoria Institute for Architects

Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

History

The four tower blocks were built during the 1970's as housing for the masses. Block D was the first completed and was occupied in August 1976. Block C, B, and A was completed the following year with occupants moving in during February, May and August respectively.

Description of site and/or structures and/or interior spaces

Schubart Park is a complex of four high-rise flats built in the International Style. Blocks A, B, and C are similar-looking, 21-storey high buildings and are situated on the southern end of the site. Block D is 25 storeys and is situated on the North-Western part of the site. One can easily spot these massive structures when driving down Vermeulen street. Unfortunatly the buildings are in an awful condition at the moment, with broken windows, stolen balustrades aswell as a pile of rubble and human faeces on the site. Certain safety measures should be taken when visiting these buildings.

Links

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=124&art_id=nw20080714150256798C709223
http://apf.org.za/spip.php?article38
http://www.praag.co.za/feuilleton-magazine-386/algemeen-magazine-470/8211-schubartpark-byna-totaal-vernietig.html

Sources

Schutte, CD. 1984. Report S-105, "Social interaction and place perspectives experienced by residents of Schubart Park, a high-rise, high-desity flat complex in Pretoria". Human Sciences Research Council

Photos