If you’re rolling in the big bucks and always dreamed of owning a piece of Cape Town history, then you might be one step closer to making your dreams a reality, because the 140-year-old Standard Bank building on Adderley Street in the heart of Cape Town will be auctioned off to the highest bidder on October 12.
“The Queen of Adderley Street” was built in 1881 and served as the headquarters for almost 70 years after the company moved its head office from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) to Cape Town. The bank vacated the iconic property in 2011 and it has remained vacant for the past decade even though there were plans to turn the property into a museum.
According to Business Insider, the stone building was designed by nineteenth century architect Charles Freeman, and some of his other renowned buildings in Cape Town include the Methodist Church in Greenmarket Square, that was built in 1878, and the Grand Hotel, that was built in 1894.
Initially, Standard Bank said the property would never be sold because of its value in terms of heritage as IOL reports. But news of the auction suggests otherwise. The auction will be conducted by Aucor Property at Houghton Golf Club in Johannesburg.
Dino Smit, Aucor’s business development executive said: “The building is well maintained and has unique and original fittings. The large, double volume banking hall is grandiose and light filled, and features a classic black and white checkerboard floor, original wood counters and gilded columns, which ultimately create a dramatic visual setting. This makes it an ideal space for events or exhibitions.”
If you’d like to dip your hands into the honey jar, then visit the website for more information: https://www.aucorproperty.co.za/properties/detail/landmark-building-cape-town.
Picture/s: Aucor Property website