Endstead is an exquisite small house in Parktown, Johannesburg built by Ernest Willmot Sloper. The property was sub-divided many years ago because with all but one property in that sector of Parktown the houses were built along Escombe Avenue while tennis courts were built on the ground below the ridge along Loch Avenue. The only major changes have been the addition on the western street boundary of a double garage by Tony Bentel, an enlarged kitchen 1920 by Solomon and Marshall, a garage by Marshall and Fleming which replaced the stables in 1923 and a swimming pool plus pool change rooms. The fall in the ridge made this a sensible solution. Endstead has proved that small is not poky or cramped in South Africa where the culture is that of ever-expanding space.
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Description
The house utilizes local materials: koppie stone and timber shingles. The setting of the house was thoughtfully considered by Sloper, framing great views across the ridge, and the property was integrated into the ridhe landscape with a terraced garden showcasing indigenous shrubs and plants. The house is carefully proportioned externally and this extends into the interior, where the rooms are spacious and well lit by natural daylight.
Timber paneling, doors and fitted furniture inside the house are executed to a very high standard with pegged joints, showing attention to detail and the use of an expert carpenter or cabinet maker. This level of craftsmanship shows that the values of the Arts & Crafts movement were applied holistically, not just in the appearance of the exterior. Many original features of the interior are intact and the terraced garden has been retained as an indigenous garden. The house thus has much of its original character and is considered to have a high degree of integrity.
Architect
Endstead is a private residence designed by the architect Ernest Willmott Sloper as his own home. It was built in 1903 and is sometimes mistaken for a Herbert Baker House; the property was designed by Sloper during the time he was a partner in the architectural practice Baker, Masey & Sloper with Herbert Baker.
Heritage Status
The house was nominated as a Heritage site by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation and was awarded heritage status by Provincial Heritage Resources Authority Gauteng in February 2016. Endstead is an important heritage house in Johannesburg for the following reasons: