1917’s Oak View Manor declared as a heritage building
Oak View Manor, the stately old Cape Dutch home built in 1917, received its blue plaque as a heritage building on July 3.
Using mostly imported materials, this building on the corner of Fenter and Merz was once home to Dr Edward John Nixon, second in command of the Heidelberg Volunteers, district surgeon, master of the Free Mason Lodge and a member of the Heidelberg Club.
The story is as much about the stately Cape Dutch beauty as it is about Loudina Delina Erasmus, born in 1929. She adored the building from the moment she laid eyes on it. She stood at the gate of the majestic house as a little girl and told her grandfather that she would own it one day.
Although her grandfather laughed at this remark, in 1960, Delina, who was then married to Jacobus Petrus Erasmus, made it their family home and raised their three children, hosted families and friends, decorated it to their hearts’ content, and created many happy memories until their final days.
In 2017, it was renamed Oak View Manor and repurposed to also serve as a guesthouse, intimate function venue, coffee shop and house restaurant.
Dina Devine (née Erasmus), the daughter of Delina and Jacobus, is the current owner. Together with Werna Strauss and Gavin Crewe, they are the resident hospitality team who make sure that guests can eat, stay and play to their hearts’ content; the three pillars Oak View Manor prides itself on.
Dina and Gavin sponsored the blue heritage plaque and together ensured that they continue building on this legacy.
EAT
Photo credit: Jacques Le Roux.
When lockdown regulations allow, the coffee shop and house restaurant, Her Majesteas Salon, is open on the first and second weekends of each month, Thursday to Sunday, from 8:00 to 15:00 with a visual menu, and also by appointment for set three-course meals on Fridays and set three-course lunches on Sundays. Private dining can also be arranged.
STAY
Photo credit: Jacques Le Roux.
Oak View Manor can currently accommodate eight overnight guests and is a five-time Airbnb Superhost and Booking.com Traveller Review Awards 2021 winner with a 9.8 out of 10 score.
PLAY
While Her Majesteas Salon offers breakfast, high tea, lunch and dinner during its normal business hours, the team’s speciality is signature private functions and intimate celebrations, and these can be arranged at any time, subject to calendar availability and lockdown regulations.
Oak View Manor is also the space sponsor for the Heidelberg Photo and Film Museum. Future plans include a vintage store, fitness space and more guest rooms. The museum is currently open by appointment only, call Jacques Le Roux on 083 679 7048.
The Oak View Manor team looks forward to welcoming you into its much-loved heritage home.
Its custom goes a long way towards funding the ongoing maintenance and future developments necessary to help secure its future and safeguard its legacy.
For more information, contact Dina on 082 707 2334 or follow Oak View Manor Heidelberg on Instagram or Facebook.
If you know of a heritage site in Heidelberg or need more information, contact Tony Burisch from Heidelberg Heritage Association on 072 460 9663.
