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Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon ROBERTSON, Robert MacBeth Born: 1871 06 20 Died: 1951 01 15 Architect Year registered: 1927 Was born in Cheltenham, England and served his indentures with AB Crombie, FRIBA, Dumfries, before going to Manchester where he worked for Solomon & Steinthal. He arrived in South Africa in April 1888 aged seventeen and was first employed by C DUNSCOMBE in Cape Town on the drainage plans for Cape Town and suburbs. He joined the Railway Engineering staff in Cape Town before entering George RANSOME's office in 1890 where he remained until 1896 when he won the competition for Stellenbosch Boys' High School in association with FW HESSE and set up practice on his own account in Stellenbosch. An account of his career is given in the note 'Contemporary Architects' (SAA&B May 1905:157-8). His designs were for the most part classical in the Edwardian manner, examples of these are the Theological College at Stellenbosch, which he designed before 1905, and the graceful gabled and pilastered building in Free Renaissance style for EK Green in Cape Town (pre-1905). Around 1906/1908 he left Cape Town for the Transvaal (Gauteng) where he was resident in Benoni by 1909 and a member of the Association of Transvaal Architects. By 1918 the ATA advertised for Robertson's current address, along with twelve others; Robertson was still in the Transvaal where he worked for the rest of his career of which currently nothing is known and as yet no buildings by him have been recorded from this period. He married Emma O'Grady in 1894. SASA 1902; ISAA 1927. (ISAA mem list; SAA&B May 1905:157-8; SAWW 1909; UTD 1909, 1915) All truncated references not fully cited in 'References' are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon. List of projects With photographs With notes * Indicates buildings on the Pryce-Lewis list 2 Double-storeyed dwellings for E Morgan: 1898. Woodstock, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Double-Storeyed houses for G Hankinson: 1901. Green Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect 2 Double-Storeyed houses for Messrs G Morris and M Levin: 1902. Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Double-Storeyed shops and houses for RW Falconer: 1898. Zonnebloem, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Double-storeyed Villas for F Jacob: 1902. Woodstock, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Double-Storeyed Villas for G Wingate: 1899. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Houses for A Gotthelf: 1902. Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Houses for Thomas Jeary: 1901. Sea Point , Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Single-storey cottages for HE Edwards: 1897. Muizenberg, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Single-Storey dwellings for G Bremner: 1898. Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 2 Single-storey houses for E Edwards: 1898. Muizenberg, Western Cape - Architect 3 Double-storeyed houses for A Gourlay: 1903. Muizenberg, Western Cape - Architect * 4 Double-Storeyed cottages for R Caw: 1898. Schotsche Kloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 4 Houses for Mrs A Ansley: 1902. Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 4 Single-storey dwellings and shop for M Mayers: 1903. Woodstock, Western Cape - Architect * 6 Double-Storeyed houses for A Gourlay: 1902. Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 6 Double-Storeyed villas for RA Falconer: 1898. Zonnebloem, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 6 Houses for Mrs A Gotthelf: 1903. Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 6 Houses with 1 shop for E Edwards: 1900. Zonnebloem, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 8 Double-Storeyed villas for EA Ross: 1898. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * 9 Double-Storeyed cottages for MC Herman: 1897. Oranjezicht, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Bloemhof Seminary (Theological College) alterations: 1905. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect Christelike Jongelingen-Vereniging : Hofmeyrsaal: 1874. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect College Library: pre-1905. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect Conversion of Single-Storeyed residence to Double-Storey for AW Ross: 1891. Central, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Cottage for G Wingate: 1895. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Cottage for J Mercer: 1896. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Cottage Hospital: pre-1905. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect Double-storey villa for H de Smidt: 1897. Muizenberg, Western Cape - Architect * Double-storeyed cottage for A Gourlay: 1903. Muizenberg, Western Cape - Architect * Double-storeyed house for JR Witton: 1901. Muizenberg, Western Cape - Architect * Double-Storeyed house with shop for J McGregor: 1899. District Six, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Double-Storeyed villa for H Hands - Talana: 1899. Claremont, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * E Edwards Building: 1900. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect E Edwards Building: 1902. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect EK Green and Co Building: 1899. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect EK Green and Co Stables, Coach House and forage loft (etc): 1901. De Waterkant, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Farmer's Shop, Stables and rooms for J Cosay: late 1800s : 1902. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Harrison's Building: 1903. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect House 'Bella Vista': late 1800s : 1902. Oranjezicht, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * House 'Benmore': late 1800? : 1904. Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * House 'Sans Pareil': late 1800s : 1902. Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * House for E Edwards: 1900. Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * House for F Edwards: 1900. Fresnaye, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * House for FB Steer: 1899. Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * House for LJ Brand: 1900. Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * House Sir James Sivewright – Lourensford: pre-1905 : pre-1910. Somerset West, Western Cape - Architect pre-1905 Ironmongery Warehouse for Messrs J Robertson and Co.: 1902. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Jas Robertson & Co Bldg: pre-1905. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect JJ Hill & Co's Factory: pre-1905. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect Normal College: n.d. : 1893 : 1898 : 1899. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect 1898 : 1899 * Premises for E Edwards: 1900. De Waterkant, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Premises for TJ Fraser [Shops and Offices]: 1901. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Residence for RG Murray: 1900. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Royal Hotel and Arcade: pre-1888 : 1903. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect 1903 School: nd. Clanwilliam, Western Cape - Architect Shop and Factory for Messrs T Fraser and Son: 1899. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shop and Rooming House for TL Fraser: 1902. District Six, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shop and stores for TL Fraser: 1902. Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and dwelling of S Kisselhof (Rebuild): 1901. Zonnebloem, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and dwellings for HM Arderne: 1903. District Six, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and houses for J Cossay: 1901. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and office premises for D Stephen: 1903. Central, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and Offices for J Cosay: 1903. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and Offices for JAS Harrison: 1903. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and Stores for J Cosay: 1903. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops and Temperance Hotel for J Cosay: 1902. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops for Messrs AB Reid and Co: 1900. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Shops for Messrs JJ Hill and Co.: 1901. Foreshore, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Single-storey cottages (1 with shop) for JT Kingswood: 1900. Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Single-storey dwelling for A Allen: 1900. Woodstock, Western Cape - Architect * Single-storey dwelling for G Jopp: 1899. Woodstock, Western Cape - Architect * Single-storey dwelling for TI Fraser: 1902. Woodstock, Western Cape - Architect * Steam Confectionery Works for Messrs JJ Hill and Co: 1897. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Stellenbosch Boys' High School - Paul Roos Gimnasium: c1896. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect Store (3 storeys) for H Arderne: 1901. Central, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect Store and stable for Mssrs EK Green and Co: 1901. De Waterkant, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Store for E Edwards: 1902. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Store for HB Duffet: 1898. Green Point, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Store for J Cosay: 1902. Central, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Store for J Cosay: 1902. De Waterkant, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Store for J Cosay: 1902. De Waterkant, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Store for TJ Fraser: 1901. District Six, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Store for TJ Fraser: 1901. Zonnebloem, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Stores for Messrs Robertson Jas and Co: 1897. Central, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Theological Seminary - Kweekskool: c1900. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect TI Fraser's Building: pre-1905. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect Trading Store for Messrs Trill and Dunns: 1898. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Victoria Nurses' Institute: pre-1903 ; 1903: 1933. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect 1903 * Villa 'Torley' for J Jearey: 1898. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for A Benning: 1897. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for A Gourlay: 1901. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for FB Steer: 1898. Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for FJG Brand: 1897. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for G Wingate: 1897. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for GH Wilson: 1903. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for HB Edwards: 1898. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for J Crane: 1894. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for J Maxwell: 1899. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for J Watson: 1902. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for JA Maconachie: 1892. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for JR Whitton: 1896. Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for P Huskisson: 1893. Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Villa for R Falconer: 1898. Oranjezicht, Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Warehouse for J Cosay: 1902. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Warehouse for Messrs Boffey Bros: 1901. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Warehouses for EE Edwards: 1902. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * Warehouses for Messrs Robertson and Co.: 1901. Cape Town, Western Cape - Architect * YMCA Hall: pre-1905. Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Architect Books citing ROBERTSON Bakker, Karel A, Clarke, Nicholas J. 2014. Eclectic ZA Wilhelmiens : A shared Dutch built heritage in South Africa. Pretoria: Visual Books. pp 57, 62 Brown, SM. 1969. Architects and others: an annotated list of people of South African interest appearing in the RIBA Journal 1880-1925. Johannesburg: Unpublished dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand. pp CPIA Committee. 1983. The Buildings of Cape Town 1983 : Phase Two. Volume Three : Catalogue and Classification. Cape Town: Cape Provincial Institute of Architects. pp 115, 202, 203 ISAA. 1927. Register of Members the Institute of South African Architects. Johannesburg: ISAA (Unpublished Record). pp R5 Johnson, Brian Andrew. 1987. Domestic architecture at the Cape, 1892-1912 : Herbert Baker, his associates and his contemporaries. Cape Town: Unpublished Thesis UNISA. pp 389 Martin, Desmond. 2007. Walking Long Street. Cape Town: Struik. pp 58 Picton-Seymour, Désirée. 1977. Victorian Buildings in South Africa. Cape Town: AA Balkema. pp 58, 77, 91, 92, 134 ill, 135, 136 ill, 137, 139, 171 Radford, D. 1979. The architecture of the Western Cape, 1838-1901. A study of the impact of Victorian aesthetics and technology on South African architecture. Johannesburg: Unpublished Ph.D thesis. Dept of Arch. University of the Witwatersrand. pp 130 Rennie, John for CPIA. 1978. The Buildings of Central Cape Town 1978. Volume Two : Catalogue. Cape Town: Cape Provincial Institute of Architects. pp Swart, Marius J. 1989. Afrikanerbakens. Johannesburg: Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge. pp 38-39 Walker, Michael. 2015. Old hotels of Cape Town (1890-1911), The : A history long forgotten, seldom told. St James: Published Privately. pp 51