Listing of the Day
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Price: The Cottage: ZAR 85 million (US$6.2 million); The Midden: ZAR 115 million (US$8.4 million); Both: ZAR 200 million (US$14.65 million)
The jury is out on whether the view —of Table Mountain and the sea—or the architecture—a modernist's dream—is more impressive in these two light-filled, north- facing properties in the smart Cape Town suburb of Constantia. Both are available to be bought together or separately.
Mansion Global has previously profiled the main house in July.
More:In South Africa, a Modern House With Three Swimming Pools
"Neither pictures nor words are able to replace the experience of walking the houses and drinking in the breathtaking views," says listing agent Joanna Thomas of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, who describes the "unique estate" as like something from the Hollywood Hills, hidden from the paparazzi and prying eyes.
The houses are set high up in Belair Drive, with stunning vistas from every window, huge sunny decking and 3.5 acres of grounds.
"There is no other like it in the area," says Ms. Thomas.
Stats
The main house, and the pavilion, is known as "The Midden," and stands at over 20,000 square feet with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
There’s a second property adjoining, known as "The Cottage," which is over 12,000 square feet, four bedrooms, four bathrooms and equally stunning views.
Design pedigree
Definitely properties for design obsessives, the homes’ architecture is reminiscent of midcentury homes found in Los Angeles or Palm Springs. Every room has expansive walls of glass, many of which can be drawn back to bring the outside in, and the inside out, "to enrich one’s experience of the changing seasons, the light on the mountains and across the green valley to False Bay and to Hangklip in the distance," says Ms. Thomas. Muted neutral colors and grays have been used throughout to create a harmonious space at one with nature, with wooden floors, decking and exposed concrete.
The Midden and the Cottage, which the current owner bought together in 2011, were renovated in 2014, when a new "entertainment pavilion" was added in the grounds of the Midden. Created by South African architecture studio Metropolis, it is made entirely of concrete slabs, with clever built-in bench seating and dining areas under a shelter-type structure. Its lack of walls means unobstructed views of Table Mountain. Metropolis says it was intended to be more of an object than a building.
More:Click here to view luxury properties for sale in Cape Town, South Africa
Amenities
The pavilion has an outdoor kitchen and fire pit area for summer dining and parties. The main Midden house, meanwhile, has a very large entertainment room opening onto a covered deck next to a 25-meter lap pool. This can be fully enclosed or open to the elements depending on the weather. There’s a fully fitted gym on the same level with a steam room and second lap pool, which can be indoor or outdoor with a retracting wall. A third swimming pool is circular, to the other side of the concrete pavilion dotted with fountains.
The master bedroom has his-and-hers bathrooms and dressing rooms, upstairs there’s a media room with workspace, lined with a library.
The whole property has enough parking for eight cars.
Neighborhood notes
The Constantia Valley, nestled below the Table Mountain National Park, is known as Cape Town’s vineyard with eight wine estates. It’s one of the oldest areas of Cape Town, about 28 kilometers from the city center, with plenty of pricey homes. There are golf courses and horse riding trails on your doorstep,
Listing agent: Joanna Thomas, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty
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