Property
Description
Property Description
The Vault, at 44 Bath Street, is one of Montagu's landmark buildings: a late Victorian bank and manager's residence built in 1899, on a 1 465 m² erf in the town centre, zoned Local Business.
It was built for the African Banking Corporation as its Montagu branch and bank manager's residence, later became the town's Standard Bank, and has since housed lawyers' offices, a restaurant and an art gallery. Today it is a declared Provincial Heritage Site and one of the most recognisable buildings on Bath Street, with Dutch Renaissance Revival gables, cast-iron broekie lace and a front veranda facing the street.
The main residence. A long, wide passage with original wooden floors, timber door frames and high skirtings runs through the house. There are four double bedrooms (three with air-conditioning), two bathrooms and a guest toilet. Original fireplaces warm three rooms, including the lounge. The farmhouse-style kitchen opens to the dining area and a kitchen nook, and flows through to a braai and entertainment room. There is a separate laundry.
Street-front business space. Two rooms face Bath Street. The first is the old bank chamber, with its original fireplace, suited to a gallery, shop, café or reception. The second has its own street entrance, a kitchenette, scullery and toilet, so it can run as an independent office, studio or rental unit while the rest of the property stays private.
Garden, pool and cottages. At the back, a private, fenced garden with a pool, paved sundeck and semi-covered patio looks out to the mountains. The pool area has its own bathroom. A one-bedroom cottage and a bachelor flat sit in the rear garden. There is a single garage and secure parking for more than three vehicles.
Income. The property is vacant. When let, it earned between about R50 000 and R55 500 a month, made up of the house (about R12 000), the commercial rooms (about R20 000), the artist section (about R15 000), the cottage (about R6 000) and the bachelor flat (about R2 500). These are historical figures. A buyer can occupy, let or combine both from day one.
As a Provincial Heritage Site, any alterations need a Heritage Western Cape permit. The title deed carries heritage and municipal conditions, which are set out in the bidders' pack.
Features
Legal: Remainder of Erf 1783 Montagu – Title deed T26542/2023 – Freehold
Erf size: 1 465 m²
Under roof: ±467 m² (estimate)
Zoning: Local Business
Declared Provincial Heritage Site (built 1899)
Four double bedrooms (three with air-conditioning)
Two bathrooms and a guest toilet
Original fireplaces in three rooms, including the lounge
Farmhouse-style kitchen with dining area and kitchen nook
Braai and entertainment room
Separate laundry
Two street-front business rooms (old bank chamber; second room with own entrance, kitchenette, scullery and toilet)
Private fenced garden with pool, paved sundeck and semi-covered patio
Pool-area bathroom
One-bedroom cottage and a bachelor flat
Single garage and secure parking for more than three vehicles
Occupancy: Vacant
Historical rental income: about R50 000 – R55 500 a month (confirmed in writing by the seller)
Rates: about R5 170 a month
Area Description
Montagu is a historic town in the Langeberg Municipality of the Western Cape, set at the western end of the Little Karoo about two hours by road from Cape Town and reached through the scenic Cogmanskloof pass. Known for its hot mineral springs, Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, vineyards, olive and fruit farms and its rock-climbing and hiking trails, the town draws a steady flow of tourists and weekend visitors. Bath Street is the main commercial spine of the town centre, lined with heritage buildings, shops, restaurants and guesthouses, which gives a landmark property such as The Vault strong passing foot traffic and high visibility.
Area Amenities
Montagu town centre – 230 m
Montagu Village Market – 210 m
Montagu Museum – 210 m
SPAR Montagu – 350 m
Montagu Primary School – 390 m