Schoongezicht
Re/56
Address
Rustenberg Avenue
Date Built
Suggested Grading
II
Property Number
Re/56
Present NHRA protection
S27
Older than 60 years - at time of survey
yes
Description
Fransen notes that “the homestead has few equals in the Cape” (2004: 202) and draws attention to the proportions of the front facade, the high degree of intactness of the joinery and internal elements, and the magnificent situation of the house, both within the context of the werf and the valley itself, being set against the mountain peaks and at right angles to the approach road. <br />
Other important buildings are the cellar (c1800), and modern outbuildings located on the founda tions of older outbuildings. Werf walls, formal gardens and mature trees complete the whole.
Details
Valley
Idas Valley (E01-E03)
Area
Idas Valley Area (E01-E03)
Landscape Unit
E01
Townscape
Landscape Unit Grade
Grade II
Architect / Builder
Unknown. Herbert Baker, Kendall and
Morris undertook alterations on the farm
in 1921 (Baker Collection, UCT).
Current Use
Agricultural werf
Original Use
Agricultural werf
General Evaluation
Interior Description
No access. Fransen notes the fine louvred teak screen across the full width of the voor-en-agterkamer.
History
Schoongezicht farm is one of the earlier grants in the valley, and a deduction of Rustenburg, made by the then-owner of Rustenburg, Jacob Eksteen, for his son-in-law, Arend Brink, in 1810. Brink and his wife likely occupied the site, built many of the structures, and ran the farm as a separate enterprise to Rustenburg from the late 1700s (Fransen, 2004: 201)
Grouping with other sites
The site forms part of the Ida’s Valley Grade I area.
Evidence of Demolition
Contextual Design
As above, the landscaped surrounds are of high heritage significance. The werf is a very good example
Invasive Elements
Heritage Vulnerability
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Map
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Latitude/Longitude
-33.895553 / 18.891760
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Additional Information
Additional Documents
Survey
2016
Circa
Admin Area
Allotment
Zoning
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Date of survey
2016
Linked to erf/erven
Linked Address
Environment
Valley PDF
AREA PDF
Landscape Unit PDF
Townscape PDF
2016 Survey Document - Site PDF
OTHER DOCUMENTS
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NHRA Significance
Age
Medium
Archaeology
Medium
Architectural
High
Associational
High
Intangible
Medium
* SCALE USED: High / Medium / Low / None
Rarity
High
Representivity
High
Scientific
Low
Symbolic
Medium
Statement of Significance
Schoongezicht farm and werf area is of high historical significance within the valley as a whole. It
constitutes a very fine example of a Cape Dutch werf. The buildings have high degrees of
architectural significance, authenticity and intactness. The mature landscaping is appropriate to
the werf as a whole. The farm has associations with many of the early families who farmed at the
Cape, as well as with the history of slavery. The site is a rare and excellent example of its type.
Landscape Significance
The werf includes low walls, an open, lawned forecourt that affords important views of the werf and its key structures, as well as lines of mature trees and a formal garden. The location of the werf space set against the high mountain peaks is of key significance in creating the overall sense of place.
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Additional Photos
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