Hollywood Court : 197 Smith Steet
Architects : Hobbs & Bonieux
1937-39

Hollywood Court was to steal the title of Durban's highest building from the Colonial Mutual on completion in 1939. This structure then stood out obviously from its two and three storied neighbours although today it competes for sky with other enormous buildings in its vicinity. The Durban city planners, like their New York counterparts, were concerned that those dwellings south of Hollywood Court would be overshadowed by the enormous structure. Consequently the city ordered that the back of the building be tapered so as to allow light to reach those homes. A line 68^o from the horizontal was drawn from the lowest building and therefore the plans had to be adjusted to allow for the taper from the 8th floor upwards.

The original owner of the building, a city hotelier, included a restaurant on the ground floor. Interesting enough, although Hollywood Court flats were advertised in the Natal Mercuryas "Spacious single suite de luxe" there were no kitchens in the apartments. It is assumed the owner expected them to utilize his restaurant for every meal! The restaurant no longer remains and the premises are used as a Cafe.

The foyer is well preserved with dark green formica panelling and contains an Art Deco folly. Some have called it a fireplace, although where the grate is remains a mystery. Others identify it as a seat although it would be uncomfortable to perch there. Perhaps it was a window through to the original restaurant now boarded up? However, this tiered stand of imported polished stone with a glass and steel alloy seagull motif is a material expression of both the spirit of Art Deco and Durban's maritime identity.

The building's exterior further comments on Durban's connections with the sea and ships. The highest two stories are reached via a staircase reminiscent of a ship's bridge or perhaps the various decks on an ocean liner. The flue at the back of the building echos the shape of a ship's funnel.

The building is in good condition. It has been owned by TAFTA since 1982 and is used for the housing of the elderly in the city centre.