The Curepipe Town Hall is, along with the Plaza and the Theatre of Port-Louis, a jewel of the national heritage. But paradoxically, these jewels of colonial architecture have all suffered from a cruel lack of maintenance by municipal administrations. The town hall was nicknamed ” the heritage of horror “until its reconstruction in 2019…
Dominique Bellier
Closed for the past 15 years in Port-Louis and 20 years in Rose-Hill, the two theaters that are now out of water have disappeared from the cultural habits of Mauritians, even though they used to be their beacons. By comparison, Curepipe’s Hôtel de Ville, closed since 2016, quickly regained its integrity, having reached such an advanced stage of decrepitude that it had to be completely rebuilt, often with new materials. The building has been classified as a national monument since 1985.
Initiated in February 2019, the project was completed last February, and the brand-new town hall was inaugurated in April. This reconstruction, which consultant Jayesh Desai describes as “99% identical”, took care to reproduce the original character, while consolidating the structures to the maximum, making them resistant to 280 km/h winds. These reinforcements are visible in the attic and roof spaces. A budget of Rs 148 million was voted for this town hall, which now hosts official functions, conferences and weddings.
Moka’s Malmaison
The building had already been rebuilt in 1902, when Edouard Montocchio sold it – with all its original materials – to the Curepipian authorities. Before it was transferred, this plush colonial residence was called La Malmaison and stood in Moka opposite the Château Trompette, which still exists today. It was dismantled, reassembled in February 1902 in the City of Light, and inaugurated in December by Governor Bruce.
Mayor of Curepipe in 1991, Amédée Darga commissioned a restoration project to mark the town’s centenary: “It all began with a meticulous examination and preservation of all the precious woods that weren’t damaged. For the roof shingles, we brought in workers from India, as this know-how no longer existed in Mauritius. In those days, one team was responsible for maintenance. The building may have been in bad shape, but not to the extent it is in 2016…”
Exposed to the elements, the porch columns were this time rebuilt in special concrete, instead of wood, which deteriorates very quickly. During the inventory, samples of all the building’s features were preserved; the rule being either to restore or replace with similar materials, as was the case with the partitions, woodwork, parquet flooring and chandeliers in the first hall. The two large mirrors and the teak spiral staircase have just regained their patina. And above all, the 70,000-shingle roof has been completely redone, adding blue to Curepipe’s often cloudy skies!
