Five-star hotel which once hosted Nelson Mandela goes on sale along with everything inside it

Property • 27 October 2026 • Kirsten Minnaar

A historic Pretoria mansion that once operated as a five-star boutique hotel and hosted dignitaries and former president Nelson Mandela has been listed for sale.

On top of this, all the contents contained in what is known as Illyria House will go under the hammer on 31 October 2026.

Built in 1940 by Dr Ockert Vermeulen, Illyria House is situated on Muckleneuk Hill, overlooking Pretoria and the Union Buildings.

Marietjie and Pieter van der Walt purchased the grand villa in 1992 so their daughters could be close to their aunt, who lived next door.

Between 1992 and 1996, Van der Walt oversaw an extensive restoration and remodelling of the property.

She drew on her travels to furnish the house with antiques, tapestries, chandeliers and decorative pieces.

The collection included 17th-century tapestries, fine crystal glassware and furniture sourced from different parts of the world.

The aim was to preserve the feel of a private home while creating an exclusive hospitality experience.

The property was subsequently transformed into what was described as Pretoria’s first five-star boutique hotel.

Its offering included personalised butler service, candlelit dinners, afternoon tea and accommodation in six suites.

Illyria House became known for its old-world interiors, gardens and views across the capital. Its guests included international travellers, diplomats, royalty and other distinguished visitors, among them Nelson Mandela.

The property also hosted weddings, formal teas and guests beginning or ending trips on luxury trains such as Rovos Rail.

After transforming Illyria House into one of Pretoria’s best-known luxury hospitality destinations, she put it on the market for R13.5 million.

The contents of Illyria House going under the hammer

The eight-bedroom, eight-bathroom mansion with reception rooms, gardens, pool facilities and entertainment areas.

The contents of the home will be sold separately through Old Johannesburg Warehouse Auctioneers, which has listed 494 lots.

Viewing will take place at Illyria House on Friday, 30 October, from 09:00 to 15:30. The live online auction starts at 09:00 on Saturday, 31 October.

The auction catalogue includes pieces from across the mansion, ranging from high-value antiques to smaller decorative objects.

Some items, including a cast-resin cherub figure, painted wooden luggage stands, and silver-plated cutlery, have starting bids of R150 to R300.

One of the most expensive items is a large antique Oudenaarde tapestry, with a starting bid of R390,000 and an estimated value of between R400,000 and R800,000.

Another antique verdure tapestry has a starting bid of R120,000 and an estimate of between R120,000 and R250,000.

A set of four original French Louis XVI giltwood armchairs, dating from 1780 to 1790, has a starting bid of R160,000.

A pair of antique Bohemian Baroque wooden putti sculptures has a starting bid of R75,000, while large sets of Bohemian crystal stem glasses are also listed with starting bids of R75,000 each.

Other items include antique Oriental furniture, elaborate mirrors, lamps, lighting, carpets, silver pieces, garden furniture and planters.

The catalogue also contains several unusual objects, including a silver-metal palm tree table centrepiece featuring an ostrich, and antique Chinese canopy wedding beds.

A ceramic water filter dating from around 1900, a traditional European tiled heating stove, a hand-carved wooden horse toy mounted on a tricycle frame and an Edwardian convertible baby high chair are also among the lots.