Cape Town - Three heritage sites and a block of flats in the Western Cape, all in the same street and dating back to the 19th century, have been put on the market by a family of eight cousins.
The properties are in Michau Street in Strand and the original Manor House, the oldest house for sale, was bought by the Niehaus cousins’ great-grandfather in 1886.
It was later inherited by their grandfather, Jacques Percy Niehaus, known as Percy.
In addition to the Manor House a set of semi-detached cottages and a block of flats known as Melrose Court have also been identified as heritage sites as they date back to the 1930s.
According to the National Heritage Resources Act, buildings older than 60 years cannot be demolished as they have historical significance.
When Percy died, the properties were divided up among his eight grandchildren.
One of the grandchildren, Jacques Niehaus, said selling the properties was part of moving on with their lives.
“Apart from me and my sister, the other cousins live in New Zealand, Australia and England. It was time to move on and make a clean cut,” he said.
He said that selling the properties to one bidder would be preferred to ensure that the selling process went off smoothly.
“It would be easier considering most of the owners live in different countries with their own careers. We want to make a clean cut rather than sell off the properties one by one.”
Estate agent Lee Coetzee said a price would not be listed and they would wait for the highest bidder.
“A party has shown interest but is busy conducting feasibility studies on both the properties and finances,” said Coetzee.
Michau Street is a block away from the beach and the Strand CBD.
This is also Strand’s oldest section of houses. Niehaus said the cousins shared many memories of times at the old Manor House.
“Our grandfather and grandmother lived in the Manor House. We spent many family occasions there and it was a place where we would also go for summer holidays.
“We used to play cricket in the garden and have ice cream at the pool,” he said.
He said selling the properties would be sad.
“It’s obviously done with a degree of sadness. However, it is the right time to move on and let someone else create new memories there.” - Cape Argus