The Heritage Building
The Old Gillitts Train Station "REMEMBERING PLACES"
The reuse of heritage buildings to make them relevant in contemporary times is an important factor in creating sustainable communities. The Old Gillitts Train Station, situated in Durban, carries a significant heritage value that should be treasured. The old heritage building has been given a new purpose that promises to make a positive impact on the lives of the Hillcrest community.
Through investigating the surrounding community and identifying its needs, a restaurant and deli was created. A reference is made to it once being a place where soldiers could rest during the war times and where the wounded could be treated - it is now a place where passing tourists and residents of the Gillitts community can come and rest, read and eat. It is a place where visitors can learn more about the history of the building and it's original purpose it had during the Boer War. Addition to this it is also a restaurant and deli where fresh products are sold and where visitors can sit and eat.
While still prioritizing the protection of the building structure and interior elements, a few design alterations have been made to change the station into an inviting space.
The whole look and feel of the space still carries the 1900-era Victorian Architecture Character. The space is simple, yet elegant and given new life where visitors can still feel connected to the history of the building.
