Even though, walking into the open spaces of this extraordinary Hermanus hideaway is decidedly breathtaking, one’s arrival is disarmingly calm. Entering at ground level, The 147 reveals its geometry as a generous U-shaped plan, wrapped around a sheltered, rimless swimming pool. The design is deliberate, and dare we say, very clever. North-facing, sun-drenched and protected from the Overberg wind. So that the courtyard remains warm, luminous with the African light, and pleasantly cocooned throughout the hours of the day.
To the right as you step inside lies the social heart of the home. A bar opens directly onto the pool terrace, leading naturally to the kitchen, dining room and principal living spaces at the head of the courtyard. Entire walls of glass slide away so that the indoors dissolve into the outdoors. Comfy sitting areas scatter themselves around the pool, continuing the conversation with the mountains, where evenings settle with soft hues of violet across the landscape.
On the ground floor are two ocean-facing ensuite bedrooms, each with the steady rhythm of the Atlantic just beyond the glass. A wide ocean terrace curves gently in harmony with the house, forming another arm of the U, and delivering uninterrupted sea views. To the eastern side, a quieter wing holds a private study and television lounge, both opening onto their own patio, where the views stretch to the horizon. Behind the main living area sit the practical luxuries – a guest cloakroom and a well-equipped gym. An undercover wood-and-gas braai rests outside, beside the pool, with an outdoor shower, ready for those salt-water and sandy feet rinses.
There’s a wonderful energy of calm that circulates throughout the property, in an effortless, coastal fashion. There’s no urgency to be in any of the many living, dining, reclining or entertaining spaces all at once. You’ll get to all of them in your own holiday time. A lift connects all three levels, as well as the two staircases at either end. Between the kitchen and entertainment spaces sits a dedicated cinema room, discreet yet perfectly placed for those lazy afternoon screenings.
Upstairs, the house becomes gleefully indulgent. Six ensuite bedrooms occupy the upper level, all with magnificent sea views. The principal suite commands the front of the house lending its capacious space as a bedroom, dressing room and bathroom, all oriented towards the ocean. With views of Voëlklip Beach stretching out below. Behind it lies a private sitting room and study, opening onto a terrace that faces the mountains. Four further bedrooms, identical in proportion and elegance, line the balcony, their bathrooms illuminated by skylights.
At the opposite end sits a second principal suite mirroring the first, complete with its own lounge area and balcony, and a sleeper couch for the extra little person.
Speaking of the little people of the clan, there’s also a large playroom that anchors the lower ground space, alongside two garden-facing bedrooms – one as a standard ensuite, the other designed for younger guests with four bunk beds. Further along the passage lies a steam room, an au pair’s room with twin beds, and a separate staff suite with its own kitchen. A laundry and linen room complete the level.
A masterpiece of monolithic proportions
What makes the property particularly distinctive, however, is its art. The owner is an avid collector, and the house functions almost as a private gallery. Contemporary African works appear throughout the home, binding the spaces together like tangible pulses of inspiration. Sculptural pieces, bold canvases, and curious collectables. Each room offers something new to discover.
Life at The 147 gravitates naturally towards the pool terrace. Yes, you’ll be on the footpaths winding your way around the cliffs, down to the beach and tepid tidal pools. There will be plenty of moments spent exploring the town and the nature trails. But the majority of your time will be spent gathered around the rimless pool that glimmers with reflections of its surroundings. Snoozing on the loungers and listening to the birds that come down from the mountain with their stories.
Beyond the gates, Hermanus unfolds at its own unhurried pace. The property claims thirty-six metres of direct seafront, and immediate access to the revered foot paths around the cliffs. Within minutes you’ll be on an adventure. Diving into the tidal pools carved into the rocks, strolling down to Voëlklip Beach for a proper swim in the surf, and spotting all of the ocean wildlife. You’ll also take the inspiration reaped from the home and spread some of it around town. Stopping off at small art galleries, decent cafés and eateries, bougie boutiques and visits to the harbour. Watching the fishermen return with the day’s catch, and the ever-present possibility of whales moving through Walker Bay.
Returning home to The 147 will always be the moment of triumph. The house sits on a gentle crest above the sea, where the sunsets stretch wide across the Atlantic, and the mountains glow behind the pool in the last of the evening light. It is, in every sense, a remarkable place designed for those that are attuned to inimitable luxury.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie