An escapist’s utopia
Tres Ossos settles its contemporary bones in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, on the periphery of Groot Constantia’s vineyards, where the ancient oak trees, and indigenous landscaped gardens envelope the property in their verdant hues.
An arcade of green escorts you all the way up to the front doors of Tres Ossos. Passing the little pond, into the entrance hall, through the living spaces and back out into the garden. Chaperoning your every move like a sanguine wave of calm. Connecting you to the soil, much like the roots of the soaring old oaks and venerable vines of Constantia.
There’s a visceral reaction to the property that reaffirms its role as your chosen Cape Town destination. As if you’ve always belonged here. Settled within the Southern Suburbs, embraced by the elements of the natural surroundings, and all of the spaces in between. The evocative works of art that have been discerningly sourced and curated. The narrative that ensues of local artisans, craftsmen, and sculptors. The relationship between contemporary and antique furnishings. The literature and the light, that dances across the walls with little silhouettes from the leaves. The home’s attributes become almost ethereal.
As you meander the spaces of Tres Ossos, you’ll discover the occasional meditation spot beneath little windows to the moon. Curved corridors that carry the tranquillity all the way to the master ensuite with its secluded sitting room and private office. An additional single bed for the little one, and enough cupboard space for the Mother City. The other four ensuite bedrooms scatter themselves around the bends and folds of the home. All opening out into gardens with their own seating areas. The giant old oak stoically standing centre stage.
An avalanche of sublime inspiration
Walkways encased in glass escort you down the west wing where a gaming room rests in the loft. For those members of the clan that love a techie moment or two. Ample living dining and entertaining spaces sitting beneath the apex ceilings. Walnut floors and timber frames, slate stone and exposed brick, and more glass. Windows that serve as paintings of the landscape, drawing your gaze out into the garden. It’s an ever-constant narrative on nature creeping back in, at every opportunity.
Once you’ve cartwheeled across the lawn and swung beneath the branches of one of the oaks, you’ll tend to some laps in the swimming pool. The perfect length and temperature. Some of you will be gathered around the long table at the pool house. Others getting the flames right for the braai. There’s enough entertainment space for those that like to keep busy, as well as those that love the languid hours. Sun loungers and sofas aplenty, planted in all the right places. Forever chaperoned by greenery.
There’s a little pergola that shades a seating area adjacent the vines of Groot Constantia. For those meditative moments overlooking the vineyards and up to the mountain behind. A step and a skip through the private gateway and you’re on the trails of the grapes. Your own access to some of the most revered vintages of the Constantia wine region. If you feel the need you can walk, hike and jog the slopes that surround the property. At times returning with a bottle of the good stuff, to accompany the feasts that come out of the kitchen.
You will of course venture to some of the other neighbouring wine estates. Visit the nearby art galleries and golf courses, perhaps. Head to the seaside, or into the city. You’ll pivot from the arcade of green with ease, always yearning to return. Back to the soil that pulls your roots with its soul. To the spaces of Tres Ossos, that speak in your newly-discovered ethereal language, uttering the words, “We, the bones that are here, await yours.”
What we love!
- Everywhere you walk, a vision of outside filters through to the inside. Glass divides the two, acting as a canvas to little courtyards, walled gardens and poetic sculptural statements.
- Swimming in the pool, lounging on the daybeds, listening to the birds and the wind whistle through the leaves, reading and snoozing at one’s leisure.
- Resting on the ottoman beneath the skylight beside the library that’s located down the curving corridor. Watching the stars at night.
- Enjoying an outdoor shower beside the swimming pool, admiring the views of the house.
- The home is cleverly configured, allowing the whole clan to be as they choose. Some reclining in their suites in the afternoon, with the doors open to the garden. Others will be in the kitchen, or around the pool house. Playing piano, games, table tennis, pool table, lawn bowls, and handstand competitions. There’s an abundance of space on the entire property, that either segregates or congregates, depending on what you and the clan fancy.
What you need to know…
- Tres Ossos sits within the leafy suburb of Constantia – a 25-minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre. The beaches are only a 20-minute drive away and some lovely nature trails are on the doorstep.
- The property’s additional dwellings lend themselves as studios for artists, as an extension of the artist residency programmes that are conducted at Tres Ossos.
- This luxury accommodation is situated next door to Groot Constantia Wine Estate – South Africa’s oldest producing wine farm. Surrounded by trees with complete privacy from every angle.
- Cape Town’s Constantia wine region – home to some of the country’s finest restaurants and wine estates – is on the doorstep. Take a short drive and explore all that the region has to offer including Buitenverwachting, Beau Constantia (spectacular views of the valley), Steenberg Vineyards – that’s home to Bistro Sixteen82 and Catharina’s – and of course Silvermist Wine Estate where La Colombe’s kitchen cooks up the most iconic and internationally acclaimed menus in South Africa.
- The Norval Foundation – a revered art museum and sculpture garden – is a 10-minute drive away.
- For those that love a round of golf, you don’t have to drive far to spend the afternoon perfecting your swing, and your putting.
- If Tres Ossos is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in Constantia.
Written by Colleen Ogilvie