It gives me great pleasure to discover gems like our featured venue. Such sophistication and suave hidden amongst green lush trees on a hill, with a view that is so captivating it makes you forget that you are still in the buzz of the Johannesburg city life. Emoyeni meaning “up in the sky” in Zulu is an enthralling well preserved multi-functional venue with a Johannesburg skyline that complements the rich architectural history of the mansion.
About Emoyeni:
On the highest point, of the highest ridge in Parktown sits Emoyeni Estate. Up in the air in Zulu, Emoyeni offers sweeping panoramic views over the forest that is the Northern Suburbs of Johannesburg all the way to the Magaliesburg. Built in 1905 for the Honourable Henry Hull this Edwardian- era masterpiece hosted lavish parties for the Rand Lords of the day.
Grand Tuscan colonnades and majestic Palladian windows frame the perfect setting for your event. The overwhelmingly rich interiors boast Venetian glass chandeliers and original fireplaces in every room. Wood paneling and a sweeping staircase are offset by the remarkable ultra-modern frameless glass pavilion that was added by Stefan Antonoi Architects.
Emoyeni Estate offers private, multi-functional rooms and facilities, perfect for meeting rooms, boardrooms, lounges, private dining rooms & press rooms.
Heritage:
Emoyeni, the ‘Place in the Air’ in Zulu, perches dramatically on Parktown Ridge like an eagle’s eyrie; its red brick gentility in stark contrast to the tumbling cliffs and the spectacular view towards the Magaliesberg range – a blue smudge on the horizon. The grand staircase loggia on the south offers no clue of the spectacular vista that lies ahead.
The house was built in 1905 for Hon Henry Hull who was to become Minister of Finance in the first Union Government. In view of his involvement in the Johannesburg business world it is perhaps not surprising that he eschewed the fashionable Herbert Baker and turned instead to the architects Leck and Emley for a rather grander realization. This well-established practice was certainly the most eminent in local business circles. They had after all recently completed the Rand Club building as well as the impressive Corner House, at that time the tallest building in Johannesburg. But given Mr Hull’s financial predilections it was their recently completed Stock Exchange that he perhaps admired most.
With its columned portico and segmental arched corner pavilions, the red brick walls with stone groynes, this building, in the grand English Renaissance or ‘Renaissance as it was known, was the stylistic departure point for Highfield Manor as Mr Hull’s house was to be called.
In the late nineteenth century there was a revival of interesting English Renaissance architecture and a great admiration for the work of Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. His architecture was regarded as the epitome of English Classicism. It embodied the Palladian principles of design with sufficient Baroque muscularity to form the basis for a potent architectural vocabulary. The leading architect in the revival of Renaissance was the English architect Norman Shaw with building s such as the large country house ‘Bryanston’ in Dorset. The style was further developed in the work of Philip Webb and became the mainstream of Edwardian architecture.
Contact details: 15 Jubilee Road
Parktown
2193
+27 (0)11 544 6900
[email protected]