Claridges was a Durban beauty

I REFER to your article “Built to Last” about the Claridges Hotel (Independent on Saturday, August 18).

I was interested, and am subject to correction if wrong, but it looks like certain facts written about this iconic building were incorrect.

The original hotel was completed in 1955, not in 1927.

It is not situated on the corner of Dr Pixley ka Seme Street and OR Tambo Parade, as stated.

The building photographed on the right is not the altered Claridges Hotel building, but another more recent structure erected later on the above-mentioned corner site.

The original hotel was the creation of the Durban practice of Crofton and Benjamin, whose design philosophy was strongly influenced by the great Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the author of many iconic buildings and townscapes in Brazil.

The original Claridges building was a beautiful, proud addition to our city townscape, blending so well with our Durban climate, and the whole atmosphere of the Beachfront.

Many demolitions and changes to many of our iconic building are in the process of taking place or have already taken place in our city.

This is happening and we are losing so much of the grace and history of this city that we love. What a pity!

What more are we going to lose in the future?

For the record: Readers have pointed out that we had the wrong position for the new picture of Claridges Hotel in last week’s Then & Now feature.

The hotel was one block further south on the corner of Tyzack Street and the OR Tambo (Marine) Parade and not on the corner with Dr Pixley ka Seme (West) Street. The current building on the site of the former Claridges Hotel is the Gooderson Tropicana Hotel, owned by the Gooderson leisure group.

We apologise for the error.