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Click to view map Coordinates: | Through the direct functional connection to the Union Buildings, this building was declared as an adjunct to the declaration of the Union Buildings as a National Heritage Resource through its direct association to national personalities and historical national events, in particular the decision by Cabinet under then President FW de Klerk to release Nelson Mandela and enter negotiations with the ANC (Government Gazette Vol. 582 No 37101 Department of Arts and Culture No 931 (2 Dec. 2013) pp.3-10). Bordering Stalplein is the modern basement, ground plus 18-floor office complex originally named the Hendrik Verwoerd Building, now known as 120 Plein Street. Concrete-framed structure with granite and constructed stone cladding, terrazzo floors in public areas, bronzed-aluminium windows etc., mosaics, copper fittings etc as finishes. Lift dates to 1971 (Rennie, 1978:305 item 105.1). The official opening of the building took place on 11 February 1972. It was built to accommodate the then Prime Minister and Cabinet - Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Heads and officials of state departments - during parliamentary sessions. Each department was housed on a different floor, moving down from Pretoria with their entire offices, staff, files and equipment for 6 months of the year. The office block still functions as an extension of the government departments of the Union Buildings and is not part of Parliament. (Architect and Builder, April 1970:22; Rennie 1978:305 item 105.1; Lila Komnick, Artworks Office Administrator, Parliament of South Africa, 2014) Declared a National Heritage Site in December 2013. Books and articles that reference 120 Plein Street
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