The elegantly neoclassic Bear Lodge was designed in 1906 by Robert Howden for Henry John Hofmeyr. Prominent in politics and education, Hofmeyr served as Chairman of the King Edward VII School Governing Body for twenty-five successive years, was Mayor of Johannesburg in 1910/1911, and was elected the first President of the Convocation of Wits University in 1923. Susequent owners of the house incude architect Saul Margo and Upper Houghton heritage champion and architect Rocco Bosman.