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 revelled 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.
YouTube video of Muizenberg:
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.
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