Operating in one of the Western Cape’s most historic and picturesque towns, the Rawson Paarl team have on many occasions been able to offer a variety of unique and distinguished properties that cannot be found anywhere else.
Staying true to this fact, the Paarl team has recently acquired a sole mandate to market one of the most interesting and character-filled properties in the entire Cape Winelands – an eight bedroom, eight bathroom bed and breakfast named SkinkiKofi.
The property is on the market for R6,955,000.
“One really has to see this property to fully appreciate all that it has to offer,” says Lizette Joubert, the Rawson Property Group’s Paarl franchisee. “No corner of this magical house, filled with a mosaic of trinkets, is the same and each area has its very own story to tell.”
Situated on Paarl’s main road directly across the way from KVW, one of the country’s leading wine and spirits producers, this property not only has a very sought after location but it is steeped in history too. Having formed part of the historical Boland heritage, the building has been named a national monument and served as the personal residence of Dr Charles Niehaus – a pioneer of the South African wine industry and the father of KWV’s iconic Roodeberg wine.
“One simply does not come across a property like this every day,” says Werner van der Merwe, the Rawson agent who is marketing the property. “The eye-catching exterior attributes are typically Edwardian but the interior is anything but typical with elements from various eras, cultures and styles effortlessly combined to create something very special.”
The main house, explains van der Merwe, has three en-suite guest rooms, all of which have their own private stoeps. The first room has a very novel long drop-style toilet, the second is fitted with sound proof glass as it faces the main road and the third is currently used as the honeymoon suite. The spacious home also has one formal reception room, a small conference area equipped with media and sound equipment, a rustic farm style kitchen, a cozy kitsch-meets-cool sitting room, two separate guest toilets, an office and an attractive outdoor patio that is currently used as a breakfast area for guests.
“It is important to note,” said van der Merwe, “that every single item found in the home is included in the sale of the property. From the priceless antique furniture elegantly dotted all over, to the vintage items of clothing and accessories used to decorate the rooms, down to the array of brick-a-brac items that truly give this home its eclectic energy – everything stays.”
In addition to the main house, says van der Merwe, there is a two bedroom, one bathroom self-catering suite which is ideal for family getaways, three quirky en-suite African-style rooms which overlook a large rock pool, a private braai nook, a lapa and the poolside entertainment area fitted with island-style chairs and tables. There is also a bachelor pad which is currently used by the B&B’s manager but which could be converted into another guest suite.
“As with the main house,” says van der Merwe, “all the authentic African crafts, art and furniture found in the African-style rooms and even the exquisite double Victorian glass door found in the self-catering suite – everything forms part of the sale.”
A product of five years of antiquing on the behalf of the current owner, this extra-ordinary property also offers distinctive garden details like an eccentric shoe wall, a teapot water feature, a series of bird aviaries, a three car garage and secure parking for four further cars.
“The buyer who snaps up this one-of-a-kind property will be getting the deal of a lifetime,” said Joubert. “How often do you get a fully equipped and impeccably decorated bed and breakfast with a well-established reputation and a look and feel like no other situated in such a prime position? The potential is endless.”
