La Gratitude

"Originally H-shaped, thatched house with an early neo-classical gable, on which the ""all-seeing eye of the Lord"" appears above the name of the house. Below the gable, the 3x3 double door with intricate rectangular sunrise fanlight is flanked by pilasters and half-sashes. The 20x20 sashes have plaster surrounds and louvred half-shutters, and the facade is decorated with fluted pilasters between openings. Raised brick stoep. Neo-classical end gables.Gateway to left of house."

Residential

"Built between 1795 and 1798 by the Rev. Meent Borcherds, minister of the Dutch Reformed Church of Stellenbosch from 1786-1830. Borcherds was born in East Friesland and studied at the University of Groningen and the seminary at Lingen. He immigrated in 1785, aged 23, and moved to Stellenbosch from Cape Town the following year. He farmed the land running down to the river behind the house in order to supplement his income. After his death in 1832 it was owned for 2 years by his son, Hendrik Johannes, and until 1890 by his daughter Catherina Johanna, widow of Charles Smith of the Bengal Service (Sources: Oberholster and Fransen & Cook)"

Historical: barrel vaults over narrow side court; two wings added at back (making it appear a U-shape); extensions at both ends of the front (by Bill Winshaw c 1935) also front and west windows (Fransen & Cook). Converted to restaurant 2008