DGÂ Properties was recently instrumental in selling a magnificent home located in Bantry Bay, Cape Town, to a West African entrepreneur for R65 million - the highest price that has ever been achieved for a property on the Atlantic Seaboard. The beautiful site is positioned on the slopes of Lion's Head and has a glorious view of the Atlantic Ocean.
As will be apparent from the picture published alongside, the splendid lounge opens onto a long pool terrace with a seating pavilion at one end and a BBQ pavilion at the other. The pool runs the full width of the building while a shallow play area, or beach, forms the centre point with a palm island on the one side. The kitchen and family rooms are situated around the courtyard garden while an outdoor boma (African campfire enclosure) occupies a corner of the courtyard garden.
This sale confirms our view that it is becoming increasingly apparent that, despite the voices of the prophets of doom and gloom, the South African residential property market is currently entering a very real and lasting recovery phase. We are, therefore, increasingly confident that the green shoots of prosperity will soon blossom into a full revival to the benefit of all. The brief was to create a home that felt like a retreat that would maximise the connection with the views and create a spacious garden.
The site is positioned in Bantry Bay, on the slopes of Lion's Head directly overlooking the bay. One enters from the street into a sculpture courtyard with fever trees, cycads and ground covers. To the left is the entrance gallery, a 60m² reception foyer that acts as arrival and gallery space. The reception gallery leads onto the studio ledge overlooking the courtyard; over a small bridge to Stefan's study overlooking the magnificent view of the Atlantic Seaboard and through the double volume to the living room below.
The arrival in the living room is marked by the subtle change in floor finish from the overall floors which are Neo Sardo granite with a hand hewn soft edge giving it an ancient quality. A Silver Grey veined granite tile from Fuzhou in the North-east part of Fujian Province, China, lines up with the water feature creating a spine running through the house connecting the two wings. The interiors create an emotional and sensorial journey when moving through the house.
By utilising a broad base of textures and finishes, the décor feels natural and subtly organic, comfort being of paramount importance at all times; the overall ambiance is one of calm and serenity. Colour is kept to a bare minimum; the interior works predominantly with a light and shade tonal range, allowing the exterior views, the mountain, the ocean and sky and also the artwork to bring in colour.
The furniture and lighting is predominantly a combination of select designs from the OKHA product range in conjunction with bespoke pieces that were designed specifically for the project. OKHA products are manufactured locally in South Africa and utilise only skilled local artisans and wherever possible locally sourced materials.