Magnificent two-in-one Hermanus property comes on the market

The Rawson Property Group’s Hermanus franchise is selling a Westcliff Road home, which, says Peter Greyling, the Rawson Property Group’s franchisee for Hermanus, could be the best buy opportunity that he has ever brought to the Hermanus market.  Priced at R6,8 million, the property consists of a large main home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a separate yet linked house, currently operated as a four star self-catering guesthouse, but which can be used as an extension to the main home.

“What makes both the main home and the guesthouse so very special,” says Greyling, “is the fact that the owners, who opened the guesthouse in 2008, have taken a typical large thatched roof Hermanus home of the 1940/1950 era and redecorated and refurbished the interiors of both buildings in a truly striking and very attractive fashion that suit each house perfectly. For example, in the guesthouse, they whitened the Oregon pine floors, poured smooth concrete floors that were treated with a white coating, and further introduced red as a dominant colour in the kitchen.  The main home has been similarly renovated in keeping with its character. These upgrades, although decidedly avant garde, were never over the top and are particularly well suited to the two buildings, in which the thatch and trusses are exposed to view, giving a spacious, double volume feeling.”

The main home has an indoor/outdoor entertaining area, leading onto a rock pool with its own waterfall.  It also has an open plan state-of-the-art kitchen with superb modern equipment, a scullery and laundry and many hidden recesses for the discreet storage of kitchen equipment.  The lounge has a fireplace as well as a built-in braai.

The self-catering guesthouse has, in addition to its two en-suite bedrooms, a Euro-styled kitchen and dining room with exterior breakfast nook which also overlooks the rock pool, and was awarded a four star rating by the Tourism Grading Council. It is generally fully booked from December to March, achieving a high occupancy rate the remainder of the year, commanding rates between R2,000 per night in Peak season and R1,000 in low season.

The thatched roof of the main home has a fireproof water protection system.  The well-established garden is irrigated by a grey water system, allowing for eco-friendly and economical re-use of water. 

Secure off-street parking is provided inside the guesthouse courtyard, and the main home, and all buildings are protected by alarm systems and remote controlled entrance gates.

The position of the property, says Greyling, is “about as good as one can get in Hermanus”.  The main home and guesthouse both feature stunning mountain and sea views, with the guesthouse facing the sea.  It is exactly halfway between the new harbour and the town, both of which are within two minutes’ drive of the property.

It is quite possible, says Greyling, that the purchaser of this home could simply rent out the guesthouse as a private residence, but this, he says, would be a missed opportunity with respect to the loyal clientele, many of whom, particularly those from overseas, have been coming here year after year.

“I am hoping,” says Greyling, “that we will find a buyer equally dedicated to hospitality work as the owners have been, but obviously the property is perfectly suited to house a large family or extended family in luxury."

For further information contact Peter Greyling at the Hermanus Rawson Property Group office on (028) 313 1870.