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Bonhomme - Turret House Claremont, Cape Town, Western Cape

Date: pre 1893 Type: Homestead Status: Adaptive re-use Street: Harfield Road

The building is shown on a survey diagram dated 1893, at which time the property was owned by Ohlsson's Cape Breweries. Francis Fraetas bought the house in 1896, made some alterations and additions, and lived there until his death in 1913. The house was known for many decades as 'Bonhomme'. It was incorporated into the new Life Kingsbury Hospital complex in 1992, converted into medical rooms, and renamed 'Turret House'. Bonhomme/Turret House is single-storeyed, with a covered verandah. The front room has a bow window, above which is a conical "witch's hat" roof, which probably accounts for the present name. (Arthur Radburn, July 2025)