The Afton
Local property trends
Since the COVID-19 lockdowns in various stages started last year, there has been a growth in the local residential market. We became used to having meetings via Zoom in our PJs with no morning commute, sparking a global trend to working from home for at least some of the time. This made us want more personal space, away from the city's hustle and bustle. This has encouraged developers, with a soon-to-be-launched 26-home development in a prime part of Howick just one example of exciting new local projects. There is also significant interest in commercial property with office and retail space, as well as growth in the agricultural and small-holding sector. Basically, the Midlands' property space is busy!
Did you know?
Howick once had its own castle! Built around 1866 as a whimsical, gothic-styled 'town house' by wealthy landowner James Methley in Morling Street, it became the Castle Hotel, perched on the rocky banks of the Umngeni River. Its castellated towers and magnificent ivy-covered exterior made it a popular backdrop for visitors taking photographs of the town.
Good idea!
If you battle with losing your keys or have lots of family members needing to gain access, use a bicycle chain with a combination lock to secure gates. Then you'll all just have to remember the 3-digit combination!
Spotlight on...
The Afton is a Howick landmark with a history dating back to 1886. It has had many names, originally named Ilmenau, then Afton Bank, then The Bell Inn, and finally, The Afton. It was the home of the town's beloved doctor, Julius Von Mengershausen (who named it Ilmenau after his home town in Germany), and several other doctors including Dr Lex Eddington, Dr John Hyslop, and Dr Maurice Hyslop and his wife Tuli, who lived here the longest, from 1910 to 1987. Dr Maurice Hyslop was in a wheelchair, which is why there was always a curtain rail at the stairs. When he went up the stairs the curtain was closed. The large upstairs room was used as a military hospital during the war and thereafter as a nightclub for the troops, hosted by the Hyslops (circa 1940s). Tuli Hyslop started the Howick Museum in this big room, and became the curator of the modern museum built in her name. Many of the medical items in the current museum come from the house. Brian and Louise Robinson, who ran the wonderful Afton Restaurant here, reported that there was a ghost upstairs that they called Frank, who would bang cupboard doors and generally make his presence felt!
This gracious stone building is starting another phase of its life under the guidance of its new owner, Wayne Woodley, who is turning it into a boutique mall. Congratulations, Wayne, and thank you for allowing us to manage the purchase of this Howick legend for you. Watch this space for details!