The view from this beach hideaway is so striking that it graces the cover over our latest edition of Perfect Hideaways Book 3 and also features in our hot list. ‘You couldn’t ask for a more dramatic position, like something out of James Bond’s Skyfall … as it hugs the contour of a 45-degree cliff over four levels.
While gradually gliding up the vertiginous mountainside in Icaria’s funicular, the bustle of Victoria Road and the hip Atlantic Seaboard scene falls away until all you can see is the swell of the endless sea below. By the time you reach the front door, all you hear is the peaceful shushing of waves and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve escaped city living and discovered an off-the-beaten-track island in Greece. Stone steps wind through a terraced garden reminiscent of the Mediterranean, taking you into this utterly secluded retreat space just minutes from Cape Town central and Cape Town’s most beautiful sandy beaches.
The first surprise is that this most sought-after – and densely developed – coastal address in South Africa actually houses a pristine finger of Table Mountain National Reserve that reaches down from the mountain slopes to tickle the swelling waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The second is that the entire southern edge of Icaria blends into this pristine, fynbos-covered nature reserve.
Unpretentious, with warmth and magic
Inside, the interior is calming and contemporary. Surprisingly, Icaria is remarkably grounded given the mountainside that surrounds it: the entire south-facing facade is punctuated with windows that bring the granite boulders and fynbos vegetation of Table Mountain Nature Reserve right indoors. The kitchen is a cook’s delight, with ‘picture’ windows and doors that slide away into the walls framing extraordinary sea and mountain views. And, despite its steep location, the barbecue area bridges the alfresco dining area and the kitchen, making for sheer practicality and convenience.
Peaceful zones keep the space grounded yet airy and free flowing, while beautiful artworks and photographs – collected by the cosmopolitan owner whose homes are in New York and the Hamptons – reflect a desire for conscious simplicity. ‘We didn’t want any mass-produced pieces in the house,’ says interior designer Tara Bean, adding a welcoming warmth and a ‘hand-hewn, artisanal touch’ throughout. Vintage finds, tactile grass rugs and African artefacts give each bedroom its own personality and the private outdoor spaces allow guests to escape with a good book on a lazy summer afternoon. All six bedrooms are spread out of different tiers or levels.
On a lowest terrace, overlooking the pool area, is the poolside suite; one level above is the ‘cave’ bedroom – so-called because of the way granite boulders have been incorporated into the architecture. Both have jaw-dropping views out over the pool and ocean. Behind and above the house is a new addition known as the ‘retreat’, a delightfully private bedroom suite that doubles as a secluded work space and it has a big TV lounge area which is a great hideout for teens.
Above the main living area and perched at the very top of the house is the master suite with astonishing views of the sea and the mountains – nothing short of a seductive space. Nearby is a smaller bedroom, so that kids can sleep on the same level as the master suite.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the en-suite bathroom has the most iconic view in Africa: you can take in the Cape Peninsula as it disappears off to the south and gaze out over the endless horizon of the Atlantic Ocean. Simply heaven on earth!
PERFECT HIDEAWAYS in SOUTH AFRICA: Book 3
Icaria is one of the hideaways featured in our beautiful Perfect Hideaways in South Africa coffee table Book 3.
Our latest book celebrates our most treasured hideaways, each one embodying what it is that makes a holiday home ‘perfect’.
From bush to beach, from city to wilderness, PERFECT HIDEAWAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA is a collection of the most extraordinary havens offering unique experiences, architecture and interiors in exceptional destinations. Travellers today are embracing a new narrative for regenerative travel: how and why we travel, and how much time we choose to be surrounded by our family and closest friends, has become ever more important. But over the years, like that proverbial leopard, our Perfect Hideaways has not changed many of its spots.
PERFECT HIDEAWAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA is a tangible journey into the evolving landscape of our homes, mapping our ways back to the soul. Evoking a renewed vigour with the ways we wish to travel, yet retaining a nostalgic sentiment to simplicit