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History: This is a Georgianised H-shaped Cape—Dutch house. The land it occupies is of unknown origin which was probably added to the Coornhoop farm in 1741. Later in the eighteenth century the land was acquired by C. Rossouw, who purchased the northern part of the Coornhoop farm and called it Onderneming He probably built the house in about 1785. Later it came into the hands of Wrench, a bakery owner in Observatory, who married the daughter of the preceding owner. Wrench was a well—known businessman and active in local affairs. Wrench Street was named after him and he was most probably responsible for the Victorianisation of the house. Wrench House was in a bad state of repair until approximately six years ago, when it was acquired by a lecturer at U.C.T., who placed the architect Jonathan Wood in charge of restoration.
As the house was very much altered and much neglected, it was decided that restoration was impossible, as no one really knew what it looked like in the first place. It was therefore decided to conserve the building and to give it a Georgian style facade. At the same time a cottage, in the style of the old house, was constructed across from the front door of Wrench House and the area in between was converted into a forecourt and turning circle for visitors motor vehicles. The cottage also deserves inclusion in the declaration as it is an integral part of the complex and built to blend in with much old woodwork. The garages behind the house also form part of this unique complex. The building complex belonged to Heidi Rachel Rome and was declared a national monument in June 1981.
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