Troyeville House

Also known as House de Kok

Table of Contents

Last Updated: May 28, 2025

About Troyeville House

A substantial detached three storey residence, Troyeville House is a prominent stone-built structure in an elevated position on the north-west slope of Troyeville Ridge. The spacious house has seven bedrooms, a grand staircase with stained glass window, a cellar beneath, a chapel and two apartments converted from stables.

Decorative features in the interior include a large stained glass window to the grand staircase, the turned balustrade to the staircase, ornate ceiling panels, fireplaces with surrounds and mantels, and timber panelling.

Outbuildings include:

  • The Coach House, a two storey building with a cellar.
  • The Meeting Hall, a long single-storey building. A verandah runs the full length of the north elevation, supported by ten Doric columns.
  • The Sanctuary, built as a single-volume chapel for the purpose of prayer.

The site covers 4 stands with an area of 700 square metres.

State of Conservation

Many of the original features are still intact. Despite different uses over time, including a long period as a Salvation Army Training Centre, the Troyeville House is still presented and legible as a heritage house with a high degree of authenticity.

Adress

20 Clarence Street, Troyeville

History

Built c1902, the current house was designed for the original owner, K.B. de Kok. Although little is known about de Kok, Troyeville House was a property of high status, in keeping with its size, spacious gardens and coach house with stables.

Until the mid-1920s, the house was a private residence. The Johannesburg valuation rolls reveal that after de Kok’s period of residence ended sometime after 1905, the Master of the Supreme Court resided there until 1924.

From 1925 to 1985, the property was in the ownership of the Salvation Army property Company and used for the training of cadets. Accommodation for the female cadets was provided within the main house. A single story meeting hall and additional dormitory for male cadets was added on strand 407, north of the coach house, around the 1930s.

Associations with individuals and organisations

Over the long history of Troyeville House, a number of prominent residents have been associated with the property.

  • Unwin Sankey Barret. U.S. Barrett was the Master of the Supreme Court of South Africa, Transvaal Provincial Division. He took up residence at the Troyeville House around 1906, and vacated the property in 1925, moving to Pretoria.
  • Gwen Gill (1936-2011) Newspaper columnist and editor for the Sunday Times.
  • Jennifer Ferguson. A well-known singer, song-writer, Ferguson was an anti-apartheid activist around the 1980s. She served as an ANC MP in South Africa’s first democratic parliament from 1994 – 1997.

Statement of Significance

Troyeville House is a fine example of a large detached Edwardian residence dating from the early years of the Twentieth Century. It is among the oldest surviving houses in Johannesburg, and has high historical, aesthetic and cultural value. Although the identity of the original architect is unknown, Troyeville House has high architectural and aesthetic significance as a fine example of a substantial stone-built residence from the early 1900s. The use of Oregon pine and other high quality materials in the interior indicates that the designer took care to maintain the status of the property throughout. The site has landmark status, and visual prominence, with the distinctive twin gables of Troyeville House standing out on the slopes of Troyeville Ridge, when driving along Bertrams Road. The site as a whole carries high cultural significance and some international significance relating to the 61- year-association with the Salvation Army, an internationally recognised Christian charitable organisation which originated in Britain.

Inscription

In 2018 a blue heritage plaque was awarded to the site by the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation (JHF), in association with the City’s Directorate of Arts, Culture and Heritage

Legal Status

  • Provisional Protection as a Provincial heritage Site . Provincial Gazette, vol. 23, no. 97, 19 April 2017.
  • General Protection: Section 34 (1) Structures under the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999.

Responsible Authority

Provincial Heritage Resources Authority – Gauteng (PHRA-G)