The Netherlands Bank Building in Durban's Smith Street, shortly after it opened in 1965.
The old picture this week features The Netherlands Bank building in Durban, located at 303 Anton Lembede Street (formerly Smith Street). It was completed in 1965. Designed by renowned architect Norman Eaton as his final masterpiece before his death, it is widely celebrated as one of South Africa's finest modern architectural gems.
It is famed for its cube-like form: The structure is elevated on an un-honed travertine podium featuring integrated urban fountains and greenery. An iconic grass-green ceramic filigree screen surrounds the central banking hall, designed to block harsh sunlight. It also boasts a famed roof-top garden featuring diverse plant species and sculptures with sweeping city views.
Dr Doreen Edith Greig who wrote many of the standard reference works documenting the country's built heritage described the building as “a Fabergé of a building, a completely personal conception, painstakingly and beautifully developed by one of the finest architects this country has produced.”
The building in Anton Lembede Street today.
