Klippe Rivier, a historic Cape Dutch homestead in Swellendam, is for sale through Anne Porter Knight Frank at R25 million.
Klippe Rivier, a historic Cape Dutch homestead described by C de Bosdari in his classic work Cape Dutch Houses and Farms as probably the largest and most attractive of the Swellendam homesteads, is for sale through Anne Porter Knight Frank at R25 million.
Bosdari says the house at the southern end of the town, 2,2km off the R60 Swellendam-Ashton road, was built in about 1830 by Marthinus Steyn, a first cousin of the Free State president.
“The gable is of the type peculiar to Swellendam,” writes Bosdari, “with a cleft on each side of a segmental cap. The face is decorated with swags. The front door is of the stable type, framed by fluted pilasters and topped by a triangular pediment. The shutters are of the later, internal kind. There are somewhat top heavy square-headed columns on the stoep to support a trellised vine.”
The home has had a succession of owners, many of whom were well-known Cape personalities. From 1904 to 1914 it was owned by Alfred John Baary, a member of the illustrious trading and banking family that served this area so well. Denys Reitz, author of Command and a cabinet minister in Smuts’ government, carved his name on a window frame in 1891 and Olive Schreiner, the novelist, was one of the famous guests to stay there.
In 1990, the Westby-Nunns, founders of Portfolio of Country Places and related hospitality publications, bought the property and spent two years restoring and furnishing it with the eclectic Westby-Nunn furniture collection which has pieces from Cape Dutch, Victorian, Colonial and Art Deco periods. They then opened it as a guest house - and it very soon qualified for five stars, says Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Knight Frank.
“As part of the renovation the original waenhuis and stables were converted into six large luxury bedrooms, each named after a previous owner of the homestead. All the furniture will be included in the sale.
“The home and garden are in pristine condition - and guests have always testified that this country house is among the most gracious and relaxing of all the Cape’s best known rural retreats,” says Steward.
