Leeuwenhof, Official residence on Table Mountain slopes in Cape Town, South Africa.
Leeuwenhof is a double-story house on the slopes of Table Mountain in Cape Town, reached through an avenue of oak trees off Hof Street. The building is surrounded by pine and wild-fig trees with views toward Table Bay, and its original flat-roofed Dutch design remains recognizable despite the passage of time.
The estate began in 1693 when Simon van der Stel granted land to Guillaum Heems, establishing an early foundation for the area. Over the following centuries it changed hands repeatedly and served different purposes before eventually becoming an administrative seat.
The name Leeuwenhof refers to a lion's court, reflecting its past as an estate where gardens and natural surroundings held great importance. Visitors today can still see the ancient oak trees lining the pathways, reminders of when this was a private retreat designed around the landscape.
The property sits on the slopes of Table Mountain and is accessible on foot, with oak trees providing shade as you walk around. Visiting in the morning or late afternoon offers the best lighting to see the building and landscape details clearly.
The estate shrank from its original 80 hectares to just 2 hectares as the city expanded and developed around it. Despite this dramatic reduction in size, the main house kept its original Dutch architectural style and flat-roof design intact.
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