The restoration of Jaekel House
Legacy’s tangible contribution to preserving Nigeria’s heritage
Jaekel House, formerly known as Q17, built circa 1900, is one of the oldest buildings in the historic Ebute Metta Railway Compound. Amongst the first set of residential structures built for top management staff by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, which was formed in 1898. It was probably used as a residence for the general manager or deputy general manager in the early days, and later used as a guesthouse. Most of the original features still exist.
For many years it was in a derelict and dilapidated state, until in 1998 when it was one of the four sites within the railway compound handed over to a Joint NRC/Legacy Committee, in perpetuity, as part of the NRC centenary celebrations.
Well recognized as a fine example of colonial style tropical architecture, in June 1986 it was mentioned in the Lagos State Government Report of the Historical Monuments Preservation Committee June 1986, and in the list of monuments referred to as the ‘Federal Road House’. Early colonial houses were designed to make use of the natural cooling breezes to alleviate heat and humidity. Certain parts of the building were prefabricated in England.
The restoration of the building, led by founder member and past President Professor John Godwin, was fully completed in 2010. The first phase of restoration, involved preparation of measured drawings. The later stages of work included extensive woodwork and roofing repairs, reconstruction of some doors and windows, and cleaning and repairs to hinges and other accessories. Kolufunse Ajala, an architect and Legacy Committee member, designed the Jaekel House gardens.
Generous support for the project came from the Leventis Foundation, Nigerite, Metalum and Nigerian Foundries. Funding from BG Exploration enabled the major phase of restoration work to make the building safe and functional. More recently PCMN/Kansai Plascon donated paint and painting services to Legacy, which provided the exterior and interior of the building with a much-needed revamp.
The building is named after Francis Jaekel, a former Chief Superintendent of the Nigerian Railway Corporation who retired after 27 years of service, and wrote a comprehensive three-volume history of the Nigerian railways.
The restoration of Jaekel House, which houses a mini museum on its upper floor, illustrates Legacy’s objective to promote and preserve the character and appearance of historic buildings and monuments.
