Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		House Messina, The Harbour Masters House - The Moorings Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), Eastern Cape George Dix PEEK: Architect Attributed

Date: 1884 Type: Homestead Style: Victorian Status: Extant Street: Cr Belmont Terrace and Fort Street   Click to view map Coordinates: 33°57'59.32" S 25°37'13.74" E Alt: 58m

The house was built for William Messina in about 1884. It was official known as 'The Moorings' but was often referred to as 'Harbour Masters House', which refers to the occupation of its former owner. It had been used as a guest house since at least the 1980s and was called 'Casa Mia' but now trades under the name 'Island Vibe (2019). In the 1990s the upper floors were badly damaged by fire but it is unclear to what extent the fine interiors were destroyed. Fortunately however the building was saved. It is widely attributed to the architect George Dix-Peek. (Harradine, 2010:301; Gerald Humphrey, July 2019) Books that reference House Messina, The Harbour Masters House - The Moorings Harradine, Margaret. 2004. Hills covered with cottages : Port Elizabeth's lost streetscapes. Port Elizabeth: Historical Society. pg 301