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House Alpheus F Williams - Vergenoeg
Muizenberg, Western Cape

BAKER and KENDALL: Architect

Date:1915
Type:Homestead
Status:Extant

 


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Coordinates:
34°06'14.41" S 18°28'40.48" E Alt: 6m

(SAB Jun 1936:48; Style Jun 1984:115-25 ill)

Vergenoeg was built in 1915 for Sir Alpheus Williams, General Manager of De Beers. American-born and educated Williams led De Beers during a period of rapid development, and he subsequently established the structural engineering firm Alpheus Williams & Dowse. A man with many interests, he led an active public life.

Vergenoeg means ‘far enough’, and at the time of its construction it reveled in its splendidly isolated position on the dunes of False Bay (but conveniently close to the Muizenberg railway station). Designed by the firm of Baker & Kendall in the Cape Dutch Revival style, it is likely to be the work of Franklin Kendall since Herbert Baker had left for the Rand in 1902.

Besides being a much-loved holiday home for Williams (and now for the current owner, Mary Slack) the house has had many illustrious visitors including Jan Smuts, the Prince of Wales in 1925, and Princess Alice.

(Source: Posted on Artefacts FB page courtesy of Muizenberg Heritage)

All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon.