View of Boschendal Estate.
Some iconic, prime real estate on one of South Africa’s most historic landmark properties, Boschendal in scenic Franschhoek in the heart of the Cape Winelands, goes to auction on site at noon on Monday, 7 December 2009.
The Pam Golding Property group has been awarded the exclusive marketing and sales mandate for this magnificent estate and will be conducting the auction in association with the Alliance Group to offer discerning investors a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a piece of South African heritage.
Four founder estates will go under the hammer – including two heritage founder estates with large tracts of wineland – and a working farm passed on to new custodians, providing investors, including listed entities and corporates, with a legacy to treasure and hand over to future generations.
The new owners will enjoy an iconic address, benefit from professional management and extensive estate security, and will receive a quota of the wine production each year, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.
“Boschendal is a world renowned wine estate situated in one of South Africa’s most picturesque settings in the Franschhoek valley. For investors and developers to acquire a piece of this prestigious estate is extremely rare, particularly as the variety and scope of the properties on offer will enable the new owners to help preserve history and place their own stamp on the property.”
Rael Levitt, chief executive of Alliance Group says the heritage manor homes and estates provide an ideal investment opportunity for buyers who appreciate being custodians of a rich legacy for future generations.
Rhodes Cottage, designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
The properties to be auctioned include the first heritage founder estate, Rhodes Cottage designed by Sir Herbert Baker, on a 42 ha section comprising 29 ha of arable land, five hectares with established infrastructure and 8.5 ha of woodland. Commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes, the thatched homestead has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a covered veranda and a pergola, as well as a second dwelling, Rhodes Annex, which is a two bedroom cottage that complements the main homestead.
The second heritage founder estate, Goede Hoop Cottage on 21 ha, consists of a main thatched homestead with tall sash windows built in 1821. It has three bedrooms, three reception rooms, and a dining room. Behind the homestead is the annex – originally slave quarters, with a two bedroom cottage, a laundry and a store room. There are also wine cellars built in 1832, stables and a courtyard dating back to the original buildings, and a slave bell dated 1934, which marks the abolition of slavery. Modern amenities including a swimming pool and a tennis court, and an additional dwelling is assumed to be the original water mill.
Two additional sections of land, each approximately 21 ha, represent further founder estates, where buyers can build manor houses among the vineyards. The permitted development footprint for each is 2 400 m2.
The final property to go on auction is Old Bethlehem Farm, an agricultural zoned farm with the bulk lying fallow and with 30 ha utilised as orchards that are sub-let on an annual basis, generating income for the owner. The current titles of Old Bethlehem are being realigned, resulting in 11 farms ranging from 15 to 54 ha in size. The new owner will be permitted to actively farm the entire estate or sell off the 11 new ‘farms’ for development.
Goede Hoop Cottage
“For the two heritage founder estates, Rhodes Cottage and Goede Hoop Cottage, in accordance with the approved subdivisions, Boschendal Estate conditions and SA Heritage Resource Agency, the new owners will need to comply with various restrictions and permitted improvements,” says Golding. “A comprehensive pack of supporting documentation is available to assist bidders’ due diligence in a user-friendly format.”
For further information contact Louise Varga of Pam Golding Properties on 082 552 4118 or louise.varga@pamgolding.co.za, or Ariella Kuper of Alliance Group on 079 8999 998 or email akuper@alliancegroup.co.za.
