Hawthornden-House, Herschell Walk, Wynberg

The construction of the original structure probably dates to 1683, but it was rebuilt to its present form, as a double-storey home with French Victorian features, in 1881 by Captain John Spence. It was purchased by Sir JB Robinson in 1891 who, following his retirement from the Witwatersrand gold mines, lived there until his death in 1927. In 1978 Count Natale Labia, grandson of JB Robinson, donated Hawthornden to the Cape Provincial Administration with the provison that he would be allowed to retain its usufruct, during his lifetime. It was declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 9 September 1983.