Darling, the small Cape West Coast town, originally known only for its extensive grain fields and vineyards, has, in the last decade, definitely been put on the map by the Pieter-Dirk Uys theatre and the growing number of artists, musicians, writers and media people who live there — either permanently or part-time. It has also in recent years become famous for good restaurants, coffee shops, bistros and knick-knack/antique shops.
This being the case, Tanya Jovanovski, co-franchisee for Rawson Auctions in the Western Cape, is expecting considerable interest to be shown in the forthcoming auction of a 3,591 m2, two storey, industrial building in the main street of Darling (Caledon Street). This building has, in recent years, been able to cash in on the town’s growing reputation as an art centre by operating as an art gallery and by providing a sound recording room.
The ground floor has a foyer, toilets, a kitchenette, three offices, the main factory and an 800 m2 warehouse. The first floor has a reception area, separate male and female toilets, a gallery, a mezzanine area and another factory. The galvanised shed area has mercury lamps, three tool sheds and large sliding doors. The building also has three-phase electricity.
“The fact that this building is zoned for Industrial Zone One use could make it suitable for a wide variety of activities other than being an art gallery. With permission from council, the building can also be used as a warehouse, a public garage, for transport usage and a scrap yard,” says Jovanovski. “It certainly achieved considerable fame as an art gallery and it was visited, particularly over weekends, by large numbers of people.”
The property is encircled by security fencing and has open views of the wheat lands on at least two sides.
The auction of this property will take place on Wednesday 18th September at 12 noon and will be held in the Rawson Property Group’s head office board room at 222 Main Road, Rondebosch.
The auction will be conducted under the usual conditions imposed by Rawson Auctions, i.e. no bidder’s registration fee will be called for, but a 5% deposit on the purchase price and a 10% plus VAT auctioneer’s commission have to be paid on the fall of the hammer.
Viewings prior to the auction can be arranged and are, says Jovanovski, essential to appreciate the skill and good taste with which the art viewing areas have been established.
