The stately mansion that was the Durban Club

The old picture today takes in the third clubhouse of the Durban Club, sitting on the Embankment with sweeping views over the bay. It is from a postcard that was probably published shortly after it opened in 1904.

The Durban Club was formed on June 14, 1854, by 20 prominent Durban residents. The newly formed club was to be used for the playing of billiards, chess and as a reading and newsroom.

In February 1855 they bought a piece of land in Smith Street from the widow Strydom for £15. The stand was roughly on the corner of Smith Street and Durban Club Place today.

The first clubhouse built was a wood and thatch structure, and was soon inadequate. In 1861 the members decided that a new, more permanent clubhouse should be built. They bought a piece of land adjoining the first clubhouse for £1 045 and a new clubhouse was built, one of the earliest double storey buildings in Durban. The Natal Mercury in 1863 described the new club as “the finest building in town.” In 1879 the club was extended by duplicating the frontage of the building westward with a porch and vestibule in between. The new wing replaced the old wood and thatch building which had housed the billiard room and library.

Initially Smith Street properties ran to the high-water mark of the bay, but in 1901 the tidal swap on the bay side of this line was reclaimed to form the Embankment. This land was then leased to the Club in perpetuity with the right to purchase later, which it did in 1950.

Plans were soon drawn for a new club house. Designed by architects Wells and Ing in 1902, the present clubhouse was completed and occupied in January 1904. The building is of the Edwardian Renaissance style with capitals, arches, pilasters and mouldings. The hardwood doors in the main foyer had to be carved on the curve and the staircase, with its modern hand joined balustrade was greatly admired. The beautifully carved fireplaces are fully functional.

In 2003 the building was sold and became Durban Manor, which provides accommodation with 21 bedrooms of three star rating. The club leased back a small part of the building for its own purposes.

In its long history the club has hosted its fair share of famous people, including Prince Louis Napoleon, Thomas Baines, General Sir Robert Baden Powell and Sir Winston Churchill. Many Mayors of Durban have been members of the Club. Some early members included Henry Francis Fynn, Richard (Dick) King; John Dunn and Sir Theopolis Shepstone.