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- November
Observatory, once home to Cape Town's business leaders, still has mnay homes that date from the victorian era
Posted: 11th October 2010
Anne Porter Knight Frank are selling a Cape Dutch home in Observatory that dates back 122 years - but has been regularly renovated - without spoiling its character and ambience.
The APKF agents responsible for the sale, Beryl Southam and Misty Kesting, report that at the time it was built, much of Observatory was still semi-rural and some homes here had large plots on which livestock could be kept.
"In the late 19th century, Observatory attracted upper and middle class Capetonians who had grown tired of the overcrowded, often unsanitary conditions of the City Bowl and the bigger homes in Observatory began to be complemented by "villas", smaller middle class homes. To get to the CBD, residents often used the railway line which had been built in 1864," said Southam. "The home we are selling would have been one of the prestigious, much admired bigger residences which sprang up here when people moved out of Cape Town. Many of these had Victorian designs, but it was the earlier Cape Dutch styles which gave the precinct character and prestige."
The home now on offer through APKF, has an attractive gable in an ornate style, wooden shutters, teak doors, lead-light windows, Oregon pine floors and in the living room and a brick fireplace flanked by two built-in glass fronted teak display bookcases with gable tops.
The home has four large bedrooms, two bathrooms, separate dining and living areas and an attractive kitchen with a gas stove and modern cabinets. It is entered via a small front garden courtyard and verandah. At the back it has a secluded entertainment patio and braai facility. Protected off street parking is not common in this area but this home has space for two vehicles.
"Despite densification and subdivision, Observatory," said Lanice Steward, MD of APKF, "has retained much of the charm and quiet family friendly atmosphere that originally made it so prestigious. This home would be ideal for a large family with a parent working in the city, at the hospital or UCT and children attending one of the many good schools - Rustenburg, St George’s and Rondebosch - all close at hand."
The list price of this property is R1 725 000.
Beryl Southam can be contacted on 082 438 3730 and Misty Kesting on 072 731 0355.
The APKF agents responsible for the sale, Beryl Southam and Misty Kesting, report that at the time it was built, much of Observatory was still semi-rural and some homes here had large plots on which livestock could be kept.
"In the late 19th century, Observatory attracted upper and middle class Capetonians who had grown tired of the overcrowded, often unsanitary conditions of the City Bowl and the bigger homes in Observatory began to be complemented by "villas", smaller middle class homes. To get to the CBD, residents often used the railway line which had been built in 1864," said Southam. "The home we are selling would have been one of the prestigious, much admired bigger residences which sprang up here when people moved out of Cape Town. Many of these had Victorian designs, but it was the earlier Cape Dutch styles which gave the precinct character and prestige."
The home now on offer through APKF, has an attractive gable in an ornate style, wooden shutters, teak doors, lead-light windows, Oregon pine floors and in the living room and a brick fireplace flanked by two built-in glass fronted teak display bookcases with gable tops.
The home has four large bedrooms, two bathrooms, separate dining and living areas and an attractive kitchen with a gas stove and modern cabinets. It is entered via a small front garden courtyard and verandah. At the back it has a secluded entertainment patio and braai facility. Protected off street parking is not common in this area but this home has space for two vehicles.
"Despite densification and subdivision, Observatory," said Lanice Steward, MD of APKF, "has retained much of the charm and quiet family friendly atmosphere that originally made it so prestigious. This home would be ideal for a large family with a parent working in the city, at the hospital or UCT and children attending one of the many good schools - Rustenburg, St George’s and Rondebosch - all close at hand."
The list price of this property is R1 725 000.
Beryl Southam can be contacted on 082 438 3730 and Misty Kesting on 072 731 0355.
Posted by: Anne Porter Properties
