THE THREE INCARNATIONS OF A HOUSE

Rosedale is a name synonymous with SACS, being the name of both the senior hostel and of one of the school's four houses (the other three being: Russell, Shaw and Baxter). What is less well-known, however, is Rosedale House's talent for reincarnation and that the present boarding house is actually the third Rosedale installment...

The First Rosedale: An Old House on Orange Street

Our story starts in 1884 with an old house located on Orange Street in Town. The first Rosedale House was a mansion owned by the La Sueur Family and which was purchased by the South African College Council. The property was originally purchased with the aim of providing a home for Professor George Corstorphine, who was the school's minerology and geology professor. However, it was then decided to turn it into a boarding house for the College's students.

However, the original Rosedale was deemed to be insufficient for the requirements and was thus demolished.

The Second House: The Rosedale of Sir Herbert Baker

The design of the second Rosedale was the brainchild of Sir Herbert Baker, the legendry Anglo-South African architect. With construction overseen by a Mr Maxwell, the building works were completed in 1902 at a cost of £15 000 (the equivalent of over £1.8 million today). For nearly sixty years, the second Rosedale House remained the senior boarding house until the move to Newlands in 1960.

The Third House: Rosedale and The Trek To Newlands

Although the Montebello Estate provided a suitable residence for the junior boarders (in the form of Michaelis House), there was no hostel for the seniors - yet. In 1954, the firm of Schep & Nathan was hired to design a third Rosedale and every effort was made to make it a worthy successor of the second House. The current building can best be described as 'loosely colonial' and is grand, yet incredibly homely.

The current building is equipped with solar panels on the roof - ensuring that it embraces the past whilst at the same time moves towards the future. In short, it is a wonderful place for boys to grow up.

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