Magnificent three-level Salt Rock mansion on exclusive mandate with Seeff at R20 million
Just released on exclusive mandate with Seeff Dolphin Coast is an unsurpassed three-level Salt Rock mansion with unbeatable views at R20 million. With five bedrooms and five bathrooms, this home exudes character with top-class interiors and magnificent spaces which can be used in a variety of ways. Tim Johnson, Sales Director/Licensee of Seeff Dolphin Coast says it was built on the site of the original family beach cottage which the family owned for a number of years. “The simple white boundary wall, triple garage doors and paved parking areas at the roadside entry cleverly conceal a spacious yet elegant home that one would expect to find on an idyllic private Greek island. The idea was to create a home that provided security, privacy, independent spaces for both family and extended family living and, most importantly, a sense of waking up and feeling permanently on holiday. “To achieve this, the owners decided to draw on a Moroccan concept of making the exterior walls of the home their security boundary. As such none of the side walls have any windows. However, the sea-facing front façade of the home comprises glass doors and walls that draw the sea views directly into the home, allow a continual rhythm of light into the living spaces, and enable the occupants to engage with or withdraw from the outside environment as these doors can be shut with no setback to lifestyle. “A great deal of thought went into ensuring that this home met its purpose. It was an artist’s and engineers’ inventive collaboration and took five years to complete. It started with an additional purchase of second site not long after the original plot was bought, in order to accommodate the substantially sized residence. Space was a critical element of the house and it has been set as far back as possible on the site to achieve this. Its simple linear forms and scattered outdoor gazebos have enabled the property to harmonise with its coastal setting.” Entry is from the top, roadside level, and once inside a split plan offers various access routes into the home. From the covered entry zone stairs lead down to the rear pool area, or a glass covered walkway gives access to the lift shaft or to the top two en suite bedrooms or the office suite. The lift leads straight down to the middle living zone, opening directly into the kitchen area so the delivery of groceries is easily facilitated. Coming down the outside stairs from the road entrance and past the exterior billiard room, entry into the home is via a sliding glass door that opens into the extensive reception rooms. Here the focal point is the light-filled atrium filled with greenery, around which all the main living areas are oriented. The house has a changeable personality with subtly defined spaces enabling the occupants to use the home in a variety of unscripted ways. The openness of the design is complemented by features that have no clutter, which facilitates easy circulation. By subtly defining various seating areas encircling the palm-laden space, varied ways of living are able to merge. Quiet sitting, eating, shared meals, cocktails, pre-dinner drinks, cooking, or rowdy conversations can overlap. A state of the art computerised sound and lighting system operate throughout the house with master switches in the lounge and main bedroom. From the elevated living rooms there is also a generous balcony area and an outdoor gazebo overlooking breathtaking views of the sea beyond. Endless sea views create an atmosphere of tranquillity and welcome. At the back of this area the 18m linear pool is screened from the atrium by roll-up storm blinds. This rear seating area enables the room to function as a sun room when the blinds are closed, as the comfortable couched area takes full advantage of the afternoon sun. This house speaks volumes of spatial luxury rather than focusing on expensive finishes. Its humble concrete material palette has been employed in an exceptionally considered way and the interior treatment treads a careful path between muted tones and visual interest. Each space contains movable elements, so spaces can be easily reconfigured to changing needs, and by removing the formality of the spaces it has allowed functionality and choice to prevail. The range of furniture was custom designed as oversized pieces to complement the vastness of the home, and there is an artful combination of African and Indian artefacts. Augmenting the choices for entertaining is the skilfully designed industrial kitchen. All working surfaces have been specifically designed on trolleys which can be wheeled out, arranged and assembled in any area of choice. Carefully shielded by a glass-fronted, fully air-conditioned wine cellar positioned between the dining room and the kitchen, the light-filled industrial kitchen is a chef’s dream. Easy living demands a kitchen that works as well as it looks, and this kitchen has been properly planned. Simple storage design is exemplified by orderly stainless steel racks for cooking utensils, plates and equipment. The working detail lies in the thoughtfulness of the design, including a walk-in cold room and a potted fresh herb garden positioned on portable shelves strategically placed under a glass skylight. The master bedroom is housed on the middle level and the feeling of luxury is again reinforced by the large spaces. Again no doors have been used but floor to ceiling white sliding wooden doors can be shut to close off the entire bedroom zone from the living rooms. Moveable screens inside the bedroom also delineate the sleeping and bathing areas. A work zone positioned at the end of the bed takes advantage of the front sea views; a simple stairway allows access to the upper office suite, and a beautifully decorated screen separates the sleeping and washing zones. The main bathroom has an oversized shower fronting onto a glass sliding door that allows the bather to step outside the house onto a timber deck and engage with the sparkling linear pool and the great outdoors. Stairs lead down from the living platform to the lower level. This wide concrete staircase stylistically connects the two separate levels, yet they can function independently. The lower level allows for the separation of two different families, or generations, as it incorporates two full en suite bedrooms, including outdoor showers situated in private gardens leading off the bedrooms, a lounge and TV area and an integrated kitchenette. Both bedrooms situated on either side of the lounge and cooking area open onto slightly raised deck areas set into a manicured extensive flat lawn area where children can tumble and run. Clever border landscaping has not only screened the property but also conceals the neighbouring roofscapes, allowing for uninterrupted sea views. The house collects and stores waste water for both household and garden needs. Gas is piped to all geysers, to the braai, to the fireplace and the oven and stove. A generator that can run the entire home, including all the air-conditioners, sustains energy needs during load shedding. It is a fine example of a domestic home that addresses current environmental issues whilst also enabling its occupants to ease into patterns of living that are uninhibited and open ended. As far as security is concerned there are 9 strategically placed security cameras and laser security beams surround the house, with 24-hour armed response. Contact Seeff Dolphin Coast Tim Johnson 082 424 6202, email tim.johnson@seeff.com; view the property at www.seeff.com, web ref. No. 388934
