De Avond Rust

This beautiful neo-Cape-Dutch residence was built in 1927 for Mr Keller Esq., a local farmer as a "dorpshuis" to be used when the family visited Oudtshoorn to attend church.

The house later became the property of Mr Kotie du Plessis when he married the widow of Mr Keller. The house was designed by the well-known firm of architects, Simpson and Bridgman, and is on a notably less grand scale than the earlier elaborate Edwardian "Ostrich Feather Palaces". Use of the characteristic local sandstone is also limited and used mainly as decoration around the windows, doors and other features.

It is interesting to note that in the 1920’s, after the disastrous collapse of the ostrich feather market, a few farmers were still able to finance the construction of elegant residences of which De Avond Rust is a fine example.

Today the building is run as a guest-house. Its presence in this neighbourhood adds style and variety to the historical character of the precinct.