Castle falls, abandoned by its laird
HERITAGE enthusiasts have moved to protect a Johannesburg “castle” abandoned by its owner.
Kensington Castle, one of four such buildings in the city, is in disrepair after owner Marius van der Spek abandoned it seven years ago.
A caretaker maintains the garden on the 3 696m² stand. The property is worth an estimated R3.5-million.
Van der Spek inherited it from his father 30 years ago.
“It was one of the first houses to be built on Highland Road 100 years ago and among 42 other properties that qualify for heritage status,” said Kensington Heritage Trust researcher Isabella Pingle.
She said property owners would usually apply for heritage status, but in this instance the trust had done it on Van der Spek’s behalf.
“We have sent him letters and left messages, but haven’t heard from him in years,” she said.
Title deeds show that he is still the owner.
Pingle said the application was made to prevent the property being demolished or changed.
The castlewas built by Scottish architect Sam Wilson with stone from the quarry south of the ridge on which it stands. Wilson built it when his lover, Kate MacKirdie, agreed to marry him on that condition.
It is said to be a replica of Rothesay Castle on the Isle of Bute in Scotland, where MacKirdie’s father had been a gatekeeper. It has 10 bedrooms.
Van der Spek’s half-sister, Märchen van der Spek, said she last saw her brother in 1986, but the family had since drifted apart.
“We had a great time as children playing and exploring there,” she said.
Lornette Joseph, chairwoman of the I Love Kensignton Association, said there were concerns vagrants would move in.
“We have had many inquiries from people interested in hiring it for weddings, filming and tourism and from curious people who want to go inside, but the caretaker won’t allow anyone in. The electric cables have been stripped and all municipal services have been cut,” she said.
The City of Johannesburg would not comment on reports that a staggering amount of money was owed on rates for the property.
Estate agent Dian Darrol, who sold the castle to Van der Spek’s late father in 1973 for R75 000, said she had potential buyers now.