Beautiful things come in small packages. The romance of the unraveling of a revered interior designer’s pied-à -terre in Cape Town’s City Bowl District, is enough to set the heart fluttering with desire alone. Way before you’ve even settled in, for your city escape to unfold.
Situated at the very tip of Long Street, adjacent the legendary baths, overlooking lush gardens from a secluded balcony, in an old Edwardian-inspired block – just a skip away from Kloof Street – No. 208 hauls you away from the madding crowds of its domain and cradles you in its elegant, cozy embrace. Bathed in natural light and cocooned in silence, its spaces have been stitched together by the owners’ inimitable design and wisdom, with style and sagacity. The cloisters and Edwardian detailing, the fanlights and small oculus windows. The collection of textiles and tiles, heavy-hanging curtains and antique cabinetry, the Moroccan grass matting walls and the ebonised rosewood bed from Lisbon all add to the spirit of the two-bedroomed apartment. Its identity and personality. Managing to preempt the tone of your stay in this bespoke hideaway. Its curated pieces of treasured collectables share their tales of travel with you and how you’ve also ended up here, as if to remind you on the value of motion, spontaneous getaways, and the memories one can make in the city.
Whatever your intent for an urban adventure, Victoria Court has a way of holding you in a tranquil, whimsical seclusion, allowing the antics of the outside to remain beyond its walls. You’ll have access to all of the wonderful happenings in its surroundings. Walks along the café clogged streets and through the Company’s Garden. The fabulous boutiques, art galleries, blues bars and jazzy quarters. An easy drive to the mountain, her endless trails and long stretches of sand to swim and sunbathe and suck on ice lollies when the weather’s playing her part. When the season’s shifting and the air is crisper, the coziness of the apartment warrants long evenings of boardgames and smorgasbord snacking. Music and good conversations. Novels and nouveau films. You’ll be inclined to tap into that romantic side of yourself, that you only dare to share when on some European escapade with a Wes Anderson-esque counterpart. Yet you’re on African turf, with all of Cape Town’s abounding attributes to explore. You’ll pivot from this enchanting pied-à -terre and return home to it with an earnest belonging. This beautiful little package will be unwrapping itself for you to savour. Balcony doors open, breeze blowing around the drapes as the night air lulls you into a slumber.
What we love!
- The fact that it’s located in the heart of the CBD, yet completely secluded from all of the noise. The apartment sits at the back of the block, overlooking the gardens so it’s lovely and tranquil.
- No. 208 inspires at every turn, every layer of texture, every print and every bit of detail.
- Having access to the best things that the city has to offer, right on your doorstep. It’s perfectly secure and well-positioned.
What you need to know…
- Access to the apartment is located on Long Street.
- The kitchen space is intended to be small. The original footprint of the place has not been modified so it’s ideal for intimate getaways.
- There is a stairway access to and from the apartment, with 24-hour security.
- A small child may accompany two adults by prior arrangement.
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie