This national monument on Zeederberg Square in Paarl is for sale at R4.025 million.
A national monument in the heart of Paarl is for sale through Pam Golding Properties at R4.025 million.
The Zeederberg Square home is on a double plot of just over 1 570 m2, stretching all the way from the square to High Street. The house was declared a listed monument in 1983, in recognition of its historical significance. Originally built in the Cape Dutch style in 1798, the property was given a Victorian touch in the 1890s, but still has many of its original features.
PGP’s area manager for Paarl, Surina du Toit, says Zeederberg Square is the only residential square in the town.
“This square fronts onto Main Street and has Paarl Rock as a backdrop. It has a number of Georgian and Victorian style houses, some dating back as far as the 18th century. The square is named after Dr Johannes Rudolph Zeederberg, one of the leading medical doctors of the district in the mid 19th century, who built a Georgian house on the square in 1860. But this particular property pre-dates his era by at least 50 years.”
PGP’s MD for the Boland and Overberg regions, Annien Borg, says Zeederberg Square was once used as an outspan (harness) area for the horses and carriages of visitors attending the nearby “Strooidakkerk”. This Paarl Dutch Reformed Church is now more than 200 years old, making it the third oldest congregation in South Africa, and the oldest church building in the country that is still used exclusively as a place of worship.
The home at number two Zeederberg Square is thought to have been built originally as an L-shaped Cape Dutch townhouse, with its short leg facing towards the square. But during the Victorian era a number of changes were made to update it to the style in vogue at the time. These included raising the roof and installing louvred loft ventilation, as well as replacing the original thatch with corrugated iron. A veranda was also added to the front, with cast iron railings and pillars. These were removed at some point and replaced with concrete pillars, but the current owner has refurbished the home and returned the graceful ironwork to this stoep.
The layout still follows an L-shape, with a central passage along the front of the house leading to the reception rooms. A row of four bedrooms runs perpendicular to this wing, forming the long arm of the L. Among the original features are Yellowwood beams, ceilings and doors, and double sash windows throughout the house. The kitchen has been modernised and opens onto a patio.
Call 021 871 1480 or email paarl@pamgolding.co.za.
