Broadcast House Johannesburg

Broadcast House, home of radio in South Africa, was designed in 1935 by J.C. Cook & Cowen for I.W. Schlesinger. Born in New York, Schlesinger came to South Africa in 1884 and created vast insurance, catering, entertainment and motion picture industries. In 1927 he rescued the earlier radio stations, ensuring that the Big Bands and the Jazz Age reached most South Africans. In 1936 it became the official public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The low relief panels are by Rene Shapshak. (Blue plaque inscription)

Rating:

Pending Rating

Original Owner:

I. W. Schlesinger

Builder:

Unknown

Architect:

Unknown

Architectural Firm:

J.C. Cook & Cowen

Location Details

Street Number:

169, 171

Street Name:

Fox Street

Township:

Johannesburg

City and Suburban

Erf Number:

1211 (Marshalls Town)

1167 (City and Suburban)

SG ID:

T0IR0422000000012110000000, T0IR0133000000011670000000

Links and Sources

Source/s:

Blue plaque research

Photos from The Heritage Portal

Old photo from Seventy Golden Years

Declaration Status:

Not Declared

Blue Plaque:

Yes

Construction Date - Completion:

1935

Circa:

1930-1939