The house was built by a high-ranking Dutch VOC official, Willem Cornelis Boers, in 1777/8 as a townhouse for the VOC Fiscal. The imposing three-storey house is regarded as the finest surviving example of an 18th century Cape Dutch townhouse. The delicately carved Rococo styled fanlight above the main door has been ascribed to the German-born sculptor, Anton Anreith. Declared a Heritage Site in 1940, it is set in period-styled garden that was recreated in 1986 from the original layout. The museum hosts a programme of mainly South African contemporary art shows. Certain rooms are hired out for a variety of functions and events.