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Bay Hotel Co. (Pty) Ltd. on 29 September 1916. (D. T. 7417.) Parker was then commissioned to

design a large triple storey hotel behind the site of the demolished Masonic Hotel. His drawings
referred to it as The Kalk Bay Hotel. (Fig. 5.10.) The final approval of plans was given by the

City Engineer on 9 March 1916. In passing the plans a composite erf (No 89821) was made up of
portions of all the above erven (89319 / 89320 / 89322) and was transferred to the Municipality

of Cape Town for road widening (D.T. 1364.) Thereafter, progress was rapid. A letter from E. R.
Syfret dated 3 October 1916 noted that “the building is nearing completion.” The building

contractor was A. B. Reid & Co. and they were also responsible for the driveway and “the

making of the entrance to the hotel.” Parker amended his plans during construction to include an
additional storeroom, an extension of the dining room, and a new garage and a covered walkway

to connect the Annex and the new hotel.

On completion it was named the Majestic Hotel and received widespread acclaim, becoming a

landmark on the False Bay coast. It was so popular that in 1923, 1926, and 1930 extensions and
additions were completed to the original building. (Fig. 5.11 & 5.12.) In 1927 the staff quarters

were improved and extended to house the increased number of staff required. Approval was
given by the Native Affairs Commissioner for the hotel to employ an additional staff of 20

persons. The plans for the Native Quarters, by architect Ernest Rose of 68 Shortmarket Street,

were submitted by the manager of the hotel, Mr. Plowman and were passed accordingly.

The Majestic Hotel was a true example of Parker’s expression and experience for he designed it
late in his career, and only a few years before his untimely death in 1921 at the age of 55.

The Union Castle Shipping Company

The Union Castle Shipping Company had, since the end of the First World War in 1918, been
eyeing the opportunity to extend the facilities of the Mount Nelson Hotel to enable their guests to

enjoy the cool sea breezes of False Bay, away from the hot City Bowl. It would appear that after

considering Muizenberg, they opted for Kalk Bay, especially as it was more sheltered from the
south-easter. Initially it was their intention to build a hotel on the Point. Here they purchased

land through their property company African Lands and Hotels Ltd., from Messrs. Irvin and

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