Red sandstone was obtained locally but most materials such as iron, wood, cement, and lamps were imported from Germany, first by sea through the port of Lüderitz and then hauled 300 km from the coast on wagons drawn by 24 oxen through the Namib.

The resulting edifice consisted of 22 rooms and included furnishings both bought at a castle auction and imported (a massive German oak cabinet and Turkish bamboo tables).

[2] While they were travelling to Europe in 1914, the First World War broke out and the ship carrying Von Wolf and his wife was diverted to Rio de Janeiro.

Jayta Humphreys had retained her American citizenship and found passage to Europe on a Dutch ship; legend has it the Baron had to travel disguised as a woman.

The new owner died shortly after his arrival and his son was killed in World War II, after which the castle was sold for £25,000 to the private company Duwisib Pty Ltd.