Fire and folklore — will Gqeberha lose Richly House?

What was once the private villa of a wealthy businessman changed hands several times over the past century and fulfilled many roles in its prominent location on Gqeberha’s very busy Cape Road.

A nursing home, a hostel, a home for the elderly and single mothers, and finally a series of restaurants known for their good vibes and high ghosts … or should that be spirits? 

Unfortunately, the iconic Richly House’s glamour days may be numbered after it was gutted by a fire in March, leaving behind little more than the charred frame of the historic building.

Municipal officials have since issued a notice to the owners to secure the crumbling ruin as it poses a threat to public safety, and the owners are required to either restore the structure or demolish it.

However, historians and paranormal experts agree that breaking down Richly House would be a major loss of a Nelson Mandela Bay heritage site.

Originally built in 1906, owner William James Wills dubbed the stately manor Langford. It was built in the same style as several “park villas” from the same era, with the distinct difference that it was not situated around the well-known St George’s Park, but rather a few blocks away along one of the city’s arterial roads.

From the outside, it was noteworthy for its wide north-facing veranda and balcony and the square tower on the eastern side of the house. Inside, a large wooden staircase showcased early 1900s Gqeberha architecture, and later, a dark wooden bar served many a thirsty visitor.

In 1928, it became the Langford General Nursing and Maternity Home, and 12 years later, it was repurposed as the Langford Lodge boarding house.

Over the next 20 years, the property gradually became run down, housing the elderly, widows and single mothers. It is unclear when and why the name was changed, but the newly minted Richly House once again became a prominent boarding house.

In the early 1990s, plans were submitted to the city council that would have seen the owner purchase two adjacent homes, convert them into double-storey buildings, and then interconnect all three properties to form an upmarket hotel and restaurant. However, this never happened as there were several objections from neighbours.

Richly House did eventually become a popular social establishment, housing several restaurants and pubs over the past three decades.

That was until March 2025, when a fire broke out and gutted the property. A large section of a second-storey wall has since collapsed, causing concern for public safety.

Investigations were launched into the cause of the fire, but it is unclear if reports were finalised and what the findings were.

Ghostly tales

While the history of Richly House is diverse and well documented, its popularity is based more on its supernatural background rather than its factual past.

It was widely regarded as among the city’s most haunted properties. South Africa’s only qualified parapsychologist, Mark Rose-Christie, said no more than four recurring ghosts were apparently documented at the site.

The first recurring sighting was reportedly that of a man wearing a coat and hat bursting into the dining room in a very angry fashion.

The second ghost, while never visible, was said to have walked through the kitchen, banging on pots and pans and making a huge racket.

Another ghost, and possibly the most frightening, was reported in the old servants’ quarters at the back of the property. Before it was demolished, staff reported on several occasions of being strangled by an unseen presence.

The fourth, and according to Rose-Christie the most credible, were reports of people hearing a baby crying in one of the upstairs rooms.

“In the years when the house operated as a nursing home, it is said that a nun lived there and had a baby out of wedlock. It was reported that she hanged herself in the tower of Richly House, leaving her baby unattended, and that the cries of the unattended baby occasionally returned.”

Rose-Christie said the tales were confirmed years later when members of the local Catholic Church leaked information about the nun and her illegitimate child.

“I operate ghost tours in five cities across South Africa, and I’ve seen many haunted houses. I can honestly say that the fire at Richly House is one of the city’s biggest losses.”

While there are many other myths and legends around the property, Rose-Christie rubbished reports that it was ever operated as a brothel, and that rumour was perhaps started due to unmarried mothers who once boarded there.

While the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s communications department failed to respond to formal questions about the status of the property, a municipal official confirmed that a notice had been served on the property owner, instructing him to render the property safe.

He would also be required to either restore or demolish the structure.

Last week, agents for APL Property Group were on site to inspect the ruins. They indicated that they had been appointed by the owner, who lives abroad, to put the property on the market for “a little over R1-million”.

Lyn Haller, of the Mandela Bay Heritage Trust, labelled Richly House as a Gqeberha landmark with a deep history.

“I believe if the owners do not restore the property, they will be very unpopular with the community. It is a true Gqeberha landmark.” DM