Geriva Mansions, Vredehoek

The Cape Town suburb of Vredehoek, in the shadow of Table Mountain, has a number of Art Deco buildings. Geriva Mansions, designed by J Bylsma in 1947, is situated on a block sloping up into the foothills of the mountain. It is a large apartment block designed in a U shape. As the building steps back up the hill, the two wings also step in creating a stronger feeling of privacy as you proceed further into the block.

The wings of this building flow inwards with a series of curved balconies most of which still remain open although several have been enclosed with modern windows. The rear section of the building by contrast is square.

Geriva Mansions looks down from the heights over downtown Cape Town and Lions head as can be seen in the photograph below.