This imposing building with its Flemish features, which was designed by the architect W. H. Stucke, was erected in 1894/95 by the building contractor D. Godley. The foundation-stone was laid on 16 May 1894 by President F. W. Reitz and the Eastern and Western wings were completed in 1895 and 1898, respectively. The building accommodated Grey College until 1907 and was subsequently used by the Normal College and, since 1932, by the Bloemfontein Technical College. The Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns was founded here on 1 and 2 July 1909.
