Enterprise Building : 47-53 Aliwal Street
Architects : AA Ritchie McKinlay
1931

The Enterprise Building is probably Durban's most identifiable Art Deco building. Its decorative relief elements are striking and stir emotions in the passerby. The Enterprise elicits either love or horror; never indifference. An architect already well known in the city for other projects, AA Ritchie McKinlay, was its designer. His earlier projects such as Musgrave Mansions (1923) were restrained, pleasing structures of excellent proportions and craftsmanship. Ritchie McKinlay's foray into Art Deco adopted the spirit of the new age whole heartedly. What is striking about the building is the strong use of relief decoration, especially the eagle which guards the entrance with its stumpy cubist wings. Many have commented on the likeness of this bird to those of the National Socialists in Germany and the Italian Fascists! Whether the similarity was intentional or not it must be remembered the politics of the ultra-right had not yet disgraced itself and had many admirers during the Depression. Other decorative elements include winged lions and two cubist African faces on either side of the entrance. There is also an Art Deco glass and chrome shop front on the street level of the building.

The building is currently painted in three shades of grey which with the city grime has made the relief sculptures seem most dramatic. The downside is that in general the building is in poor condition. It is currently a holiday lodge where you rent by the day. The foyer's light fittings have disappeared although the Art Deco door with its leaded glass survives. The relief decorations seem in fairly good condition.