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© Melanie Attwell & Associates: Historical background: Constantia Nek Restaurant: for Nicolas

Baumann Urban Conservation and Planning 1 June 2015.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND REPORT: ERF 1847 HOUT BAY/CONSTANTIA

STATEMENT OF HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE

MELANIE ATTWELL HERITAGE CONSULTANT 1 JUNE 2015



1. INTRODUCTION

This is a historical background report for the restaurant situated on erf 1847 at Constantia Nek,

situated at the pass from Constantia to the Hout Bay Valley. A chronology of the building of the roads which was a significant factor in the establishment of the Constantia Nek Restaurant, is attached as Annexure One.

2. THE BRIEF

This was a limited brief. It was to investigate the history of the restaurant at Constantia Nek using

available documentary evidence. The brief included:

Archival and deeds research

A review of available historical maps and photographs

Identification and review of relevant secondary sources

Preparation of a report from the identified sources outlining the historical origins of the buildings in relation to the landscape as revealed by documentary sources

Based on the above, a statement regarding the cultural significance of the building.

The Conway Redoubt was not inspected.

2 . LIMITATIONS

The requirement was for historical background to the Constantia Nek Restaurant building based on available documentary evidence. The rear of the site and the remains of the Conway Redoubt on erf 1847 were not investigated in detail as the latter had been the subject of an earlier study, (ACO 2002). The focus was on investigation via historical documentary sources only. The report is not an impact assessment. No proposals have been viewed. The Hout Bay Museum had no information on the restaurant

3 . LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Constantia Nek Restaurant is on the summit of the pass between Constantia and Hout Bay. It is situated at the confluence, of the Constantia Main Road (M41), Hout Bay Road (M63) and Rhodes Drive. From the traffic circle, the Hout Bay Road descends into the Hout Bay Ravine to Hout Bay. The Restaurant Complex consists of a number of buildings with the Restaurant itself being the most visible. There is a parking area in front of the restaurant and a number of mature trees. A wooded area extends to the rear of the site. The Conway Redoubt which is uphill from Constantia Nek may be accessed from the property. Hout Bay Road is identified as a Scenic Drive and is protected in terms of the City of Cape Town’s Scenic Drive Protection Overlay Zone (SDPOZ). In terms of heritage assessment, the affected buildings have not been surveyed or listed; and do not fall within any affected Heritage Protection Overlay Zone (HPOZ) in terms of the City’s Zoning Scheme ( as amended) Constantia Nek Restaurant is built in a consciously simple style, intended to be picturesque, fitting in with its dramatic scenic environment. It is thatched and partially constructed of wood and rough sandstone. The rustic picturesque was typical of a style that was prevalent in Cape Town in the 1930’s



and 1940’s, particularly in tea rooms in tea rooms situated in semi-rural environments. Rhodes Memorial tea room was a further example. The picturesque and scenic qualities were valued for tourism and recreational purposes and facilities were intended to “fit in” to the rustic qualities of the landscape. The restaurant is surrounded by mountains in a verdant setting. The levelling out of the rise both from Constantia and Hout Bay create a strong gateway quality to the site. There are views towards the mountain peaks’ Views downwards from Constantia Nek are contained and channelled by the mature tree growth and the slopes of the mountains. Where views open up they are dramatic. The property consists of the restaurant, a dwelling behind the restaurant, a parking area, workers quarters, services and additional buildings. The Conway Redoubt is accessible via the restaurant property.

Fig One: Google image showing the Constantia Nek Restaurant, the parking area and buildings to the rear. The area behind the restaurant is heavily wooded. The Conway Redoubt is the south west of the complex and the upper slopes. There are vineyards to the east of the site and Houtkapperspoort is north of the M63. The traffic circle links the M41, Rhodes Drive and the M63.



Fig 2. The traffic circle at the summit of the Nek descending into the Hout Bay Ravine. The M63 is a Scenic Drive.

Fig 3a. Details of the materials used in the restaurant which contribute to its rustic qualities – rough sandstone, wood and thatch.



Fig 3b. The recognisable end gable of the restaurant with cape revival style windows.

4 . PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

The summit at Constantia before the descent into the Hout Bay Ravine; was a resting place for early travellers and their wagons. The pattern persisted; and when Sidney Vincent Halls in acquired the Eagles Nest property he set up a very simple tea room. The use of a site at the Nek for refreshment and recreation was gradually expanded. In 1933 when the road system was upgraded, the Constantia Nek facility was established, either on or near the same site.

The Constantia Nek Restaurant is situated on erf 1847 and comprises of two erven, erf 1846 and 1787 at Hout Bay. The buildings were situated on erf 1846, which was part of an earlier quitrent grant made in 1945 (DG CQ.6.45) the latter being a portion of the Farm Glen Alpine at Constantia. Both properties were consolidated in 1951 in terms of a Certificate of Consolidated Title. In 1928 the whole property comprising over 5morgen had been acquired by Nathan Sarkin who considerably extended the restaurant facilities. In 1958 the property was transferred to Carl Maeder, who enlarged the formalised the business facility of the restaurant, establishing the Constantia Nek Restaurant (Pty) Ltd also in 1958.



Fig 4. Diagram 4124/51 of the property at Contantia Nek showing a series of small buildings two of which appear to be the core of the restaurant containing the projecting wing.

5. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE SITE: ANNOTATED IMAGES

The route to Hout Bay via Constantia Nek is part of the earliest colonial route on the Peninsula – the route that ran through Newlands Forest and Kistenbosch into the Constantia Valley and up the Constantia Mountains to Hout Bay. It was called “ wagen pad na’t bos” and was in operation as a transport track mostly for wood, as early as 1653. The history of the road to Hout Bay is attached as Annexure One to the report. Constantia Nek it was long recognised as a gateway to the Hout Bay Valley; and a strategic point within the route between Cape Town and Hout Bay. In 1781, two fortifications were built to guard the House Bay entrance to the Peninsula and watch movements within the Bay. They were named after the two soldiers of the highest rank - one of who was Col Thomas Conway after whom the Conway Redoubt is named. Both Redoubts (the other in the vicinity of Houtkapperspoort) were built to signal the arrival of ships and defend Constantia Nek from any enemy who attempted to march over the Nek after landing at Hout Bay.



Fig 5. Chart of Hout Bay and Surrounds (portion 1785) Van der Graaff. Soon after the completion of the redoubts. Both redoubts are indicated on either side of the route. City of Cape Town Library Historical Atlas of the Dutch East India Company. This map also shows the route from the cultivated vineyards of the Constantia

Valley into Hout Bay. Also show is an upper track across the mountain which was not much used because of the steepness of the slope. It was re-engineered and built in the 19th Century as Rhodes Drive.



Fig 6: Chart of Hout Bay and Surrounds (anon) probably about 1785. The post for the woodcutters is shown at Houtkapperspoort and the Conway Redoubt. VOC Historical Atlas. The road to Hout Bay is indicated as is the

track leading along the Newlands slopes which later developed into Rhodes Drive.

Fig 7. RJ Gordon: Panoramic Sketch of the Constantia Valley c 1780 and the road leading to the Nek at Constantia.



Fig 8.Cape Peninsula Map, Chief Director Surveys and mapping 1934, published 1939. Mowbray. This map shows two structures in the position of the current tearoom which may corresponded with the two structures

indicated on the survey diagrams (see above). This means that the core area of the restaurant, originally the Constantia Nek Tea room existed as early as 1934 or as Loos and Harris suggests, 1932.



Fig 9. The 1938 aerial photograph showing the presence of the Constantia Nek tearoom and the Conway Redoubt

6. HISTORICAL BACKGRROUND TO THE BUILDING

Harris and Loos (2002), note that “refreshments were available at the Eagle’s Nest Tearoom, situated a short distance below the Nek on the road to Wynberg”. This structure was known to have existed in 1903. This very rustic structure may have originally have catered for horse-drawn traffic and very other early twentieth century travel. An image of the tearoom showing a simple structure, partially of corrugated iron and with a high stoep, exists (See Fig 9). Harris and Loos believe that this building was the first of the Tea Rooms on or near the site, although it is not clear when this building was positioned.



Fig 10. The Eagles Nest tearoom 1903 on or near the site of the Constantia Nek Tea room. It was in c 1923 by the owner of Eagles Nest

The Constantia Nek Tearoom was built prior to 1934 and was open for business by 1935 being advertised being run by a Mr. M Mouzakis in 1935.1 This followed the upgrading of the road to Hout Bay. The facility grew in popularity, assisted by the growth in motor car ownership and the popularity of taking scenic drives around the Cape Peninsula. It became, as it is now, a popular stop-off point for refreshments and a destination in itself.

1 Cape Times Cape Peninsula Directory 1935. Harris and Loos 2002



Fig 11. Constantia Nek no date but possibly the late 1940’s, showing its picturesque location.

Fig 12. An archival photograph of Constantia Nek Restaurant showing expansion to the original building c 1950.

Photograph from the ACO.



Fig 13. Building plans for extensions to Constantia Nek Restaurant 1941 approved in 1950, also showing core building. These alterations plans were submitted by the owners at the time Nathan Sarkin

The core early building remains but has been considerably extended, to south, east and to the west. A covered veranda is also a later addition. Figure 12 shows show the core buildings (identified in the diagram of 1951on the aerial photograph of 1938 and diagrammatically in the map of 1934) have been adapted and extended by the addition of a new kitchen and store room to the rear of the building, additional dining facilities to the east; and additional facilities and services including a large septic tank. A building plan dated 1941 but approved in 1950 (See fig 13) shows the extended facilities including the dining hall facilities to the east as already existing. Plans for extensions and alterations to the buildings were undertaken as follows: 1941/1950 Extensive plans for alterations and additions of the Constantia Nek Restaurant extending to the east and west and the buildings of an upgraded kitchen to the rear. 1941/1950 New Cape Revival entrance door 1972. Extensive internal alterations, bar, new lobby, liquor store, additional toilet facilities, re-arranged of interior spaces in order to accommodate enlarged restaurant facilities. 1973 New roof trusses, re-thatching 1978 Extensive pergola additions extending restaurant seating facilities 1983, 1984 thatched gift shop. Infill: store room to the rear 1995 Additional staff quarters and septic tank facilities. The originally façade (as shown in the photographs of c1940 and 1950) has been retained; and care has been taken throughout the extensive redevelopment of the facility, to respond to the “rural” charm of



the building and its environment. It has remained pitched and thatched and the noteworthy white painted “Palladian” Cape Revival style windows attached to the façade and the projecting remain a recognisable feature. The emphasis has been on extensions to accommodate increased numbers of patrons and a response to the scenic qualities presented by the site.

6. CONCLUSIONS

The Constantia Nek Restaurant has been in operation from 1934. It became operations as a tearoom and expanded operations from the 1940’s and 1950’s onwards. The building itself has undergone extensive additions, alterations, interior re-configurations and enlargements. Certain key features and qualities have been retained in order to give it its characteristic rustic charm – use of timber, thatch and sandstone, particularly at the front façade. It remains a pitched roof building, characteristically settled in a landscape of strong scenic qualities. There is a tradition of alteration, while retaining the essential qualities of rusticity. The site has served as a resting and local destination for centuries and is well suited both functionally and scenically for that use.

7. STATEM ENT OF CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

7.1. The Conway Redoubt The Conway Redoubt (or the site of the Conway Redoubt) is of outstanding local significance despite its ruinous conditions. It is situated of erf 1847 but set back from the restaurant. This significance is because it is associated with eighteenth century Cape Town’s the strategic military defences. It is likely to be of archaeological significance. The Archaeology Contracts Office (2002) notes that the Redoubt is virtually no longer visible or recognisable. The site could however be considered significant. ACO “The humble remains of the Conway Redoubt are nevertheless significant as an element or place on the historic landscape of Constantia Nek - a strategic pass that controlled access of friend and foe alike to the greater Cape Peninsula. It directly signifies the way in which colonial possessions such as the Cape, despite their remoteness from Europe became embroiled in the international politics of the time.” It is however not the focus of the current study. 7.2. The Constantia Nek Restaurant The Constantia Nek Restaurant is of considerable local significance for the following reasons: It is associated with the historic route to Hout Bay It is a local landmark site It has been a social and recreational landmark and a popular scenic destination for decades It is a gateway site to Hout Bay. It is situated within a site of unique scenic value. It represents a type of tea –room associated with the Cape at the time of the growth in interest of touring, and the growth of tourism. It is however very altered with the only the front façade retaining its characteristic features and much of the building has been changed and extended I recommend that the site be considered as a grade 111B in terms of the HWC system of grading,



8 . REFERENCES

Archaeology Contracts Office 2002. Phase One Assessment of the Constantia Nek and Conway Redoubt. Report prepared for Piet Louw Urban Architects. Harris S and Loos J Constantia, Nek Landmark, military post, crossroads, viewpoint, mountain gateway, (2002) Deeds Office Cape Town Surveyor General’s Office Cape Town South African Library Photographic and map collections City of Cape Town Annexure One: History of the Route to Constantia Nek The assistance of Ms J Loos, Mr D Hart, Ms H Clift, is acknowledged with thanks. Melanie Attwell 2015

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