Bodi Khaya, a retreat on one of the oldest farms in the Stanford area, is for sale through Pam Golding Properties at R13 million.
Two historic properties have come onto the market in the picturesque Overberg town of Stanford, just a few kilometres inland from Hermanus in the Western Cape.
Both properties are existing hospitality venues, with the potential for ongoing income for their new owners. Pam Golding Properties is marketing Bodi Khaya, a guest farm and spiritual retreat that is for sale at R13 million, and Stanford House, a small country hotel priced at R10 million.
Bodi Khaya is on one of the oldest farms in the Stanford area, originally known as Baviaansfontein. It was granted to farmer Hendrik Cloete, one of the Cape’s largest landowners, in 1791. Although kept in the Cloete family for generations, the original farm was sub-divided several times.
By the 1950s it was known as Wesselshoek and was owned by the acclaimed author Stuart Cloete, whose novel Turning Wheels had earlier been banned in South Africa for depicting a mixed-race relationship. Cloete loved the farm deeply, but his wife feared its beauty distracted him too much from his work, and convinced him to sell it to avoid their financial ruin. However, its role as a source of inspiration for writers was not over, as the property later came to be owned in the early 2000s by renowned war correspondent and author Peter Younghusband, who admired its natural beauty, and restored the original name of Baviaans Fonteyn.
Since 2003, the 100 ha property has been run as a retreat, conference and wedding venue. The natural setting includes pristine fynbos, an ancient Milkwood forest, a mountain backdrop and the farm’s own stream, abundant birdlife and magnificent walks in the unspoiled countryside. Many of the original buildings are still in place, and have been sensitively restored to modern standards of comfort, without losing their historic and aesthetic appeal. The old farmhouse and outbuildings have been converted into guest cottages and staff accommodation, and still have many of their original beams, ceilings, flagstone floors and gables. The layout allows for up to 13 guests at a time.
PGP’s area manager for Stanford, Adrian Kuiper, says: “With its designated meditation areas, labyrinth and ample guest accommodation, the property could continue to operate as a retreat – or the new owner could convert it into a guest farm, a small boutique hotel, or a tranquil rehabilitation centre.”
Stanford House is part of a country hotel with 20 cottages.
Situated on the town’s main thoroughfare of Queen Victoria Street, Stanford House occupies an erf of close to 6 000 m2. What began life as a simple cowshed in the 1850s, was transformed into a magnificent Victorian homestead by builder Michael Walsh in 1890. He partitioned the building into a series of inter-leading rooms, earning it the dual names of The Walsh House and Die Langhuis.
The building was renovated in the 1990s to restore its earlier grandeur, and 20 luxurious courtyard cottages were built behind the main residence, close to the river. These now form the accommodation suites of the current hotel, and all have their own private patios facing a garden and a pool courtyard. The hotel also has a modern conference centre which can accommodate up to 40 people, and the original Langhuis is now the Stanford Arms pub.
PGP’s MD for the Boland and Overberg regions, Annien Borg, says the hotel is a popular venue for country weddings and corporate retreats, and the old English-style pub is the venue of choice for locals to enjoy big-screen rugby and soccer action.
“More and more people are discovering the charms of Stanford,” she says, “especially its convenience as a weekend getaway for Capetonians, who need only drive an hour and a half to get here. With its beautiful views of the Klein River Mountains, its Victorian architecture, and heritage status to preserve its character, the village should continue to attract holidaymakers and conference groups for many years to come. The chance to own the main hotel on the main thoroughfare is a superb investment opportunity for any buyer, especially those with experience in the hospitality industry.”
Call Jill Smith on 083 700 4103 or Tracy Brady on 082 441 8307, or email stanford@pamgolding.co.za.
