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Barbican building restored

Architect and historic building enthusiast Brian McKechnie says: “Old Mutual mothballed plans for the building in the 1990s and left it neglected. It has been empty for 10 to 15 years.”
 
Recently, vandals broke down a brick wall that was blocking an entrance to the building. French doors and railings on the balconies were removed. Architect Robin Fee said that vandals had lit fires on the wooden floors. Graffiti on one side of the building stretches to the second floor.McKechnie said it was wrong to ‘‘sit back, as a historic landmark was literally demolished before people’s eyes”.

Hans Jooste from the Central Johannesburg Partnership said the state the building ‘‘was having a very negative impact in the area”.
Jooste said in the past, the “beautiful building” was a popular retail shopping hub, with offices occupying the top four storeys. The building has a boiler room, gas fireplaces in offices, Corinthian pillars, marble fittings and bay windows. Because of its historical value, the building is protected under the National Heritage Resources Act.

Butler said the building does not lend itself to modern-day use of commercial space. Building restoration plans are intended to attract commercial tenants.