Stylish sanctuary for two in the Cradle of Humankind
Found within the Cradle of Humankind, northwest of Johannesburg, extraordinary architecture meets stylish interiors at this soulful hideaway, just perfect for two.
The Pavilion is situated on a working farm and, according to architect Lee de Wit, ‘It’s the closest you can get to living in nature without being exposed to the elements’. The aim of Lee’s decision to use glass and steel for the 60-square-metre glass box was to facilitate an intimate relationship with the scenery. ‘The compact glass structure makes for an unobtrusive addition to the landscape, with its seemingly invisible walls which we refer to as a “glass curtain”, as many of them are sliding doors that can be pulled aside’, Lee explains.
The Pavilion scores highly for both simplicity and style. The interiors may be pared back, but there’s plenty of bold colour and flair. The surrounding trees and greenery merge with the structure, and the setting, deep amid the vast farm, allows for absolute privacy, making this a truly one-of-a-kind unique holiday home. Once you’ve experienced The Pavilion’s calm and charm, you may find yourself hooked, pegging it a best weekend getaway and returning year after year; it’s an idyllic bolt hole from the big city for those needing a dose of nature’s restorative medicine. Found a hop and a skip from Johannesburg or Pretoria, and only 20 minutes from Lanseria Airport in the Magaliesberg, The Pavilion also works brilliantly as a place to recoup after a long flight, before springboarding onto safari.
On a hot summer’s evening, take drinks and snacks up to the rooftop verandah and watch the sunset over the lush, green landscape. As the evening cools, retire downstairs, build a roaring fire and pour a glass of good red in the ‘white box’.
History and art on your doorstep…
The Pavilion, however, is not just about chilling among the trees; there’s plenty on your doorstep to fascinate the curious mind. The Cradle of Humankind is rich in extraordinary paleontological treasures; it is here that many significant fossil finds have been made, such as Mrs Ples, a 2,5-million-year-old Australopithecus Africanus, a distant relative of all humankind. Discover more about our ancient forefathers at one of the world-class museums in the area. For an art fix, Nirox Sculpture Park is next door, hosting more than 50 permanent installations by artists from around the world in this inspirational setting. And for those who just can’t get enough of Mother Nature’s work, this vast park incorporates 30 hectares of cultivated gardens, wetlands and waterways of the Blaauwbankspruit River that adjoin the Kkatlhamphi Private Nature Reserve, a 1 000-hectare wilderness of hills, valleys riverine forests, caves and Highveld grasses. An idyllic way to explore if you’re keen to stay in chill mode is by drifting silently above it all in a hot air balloon.
What we love!
- There’s something intrinsically romantic about this dwelling amid the forest… It speaks of princesses and fairy tales and has inspired many proposals.
- Indulge in a spot of forest ‘bathing’ from the comfort of your bed, take an outdoor shower, invite your love to repose with you on the day bed and seek out meditative places to pause.
- That there is no TV and no WiFi, allowing you to enjoy a guilt-free digital detox.
- There are also no mod cons… a stovetop espresso will furnish you with strong, hot coffee and come evening time fire up the outdoor oven for delicious home cooked pizzas.
- There are some excellent dining options in the Cradle should you fancy popping out.
- That you can combine a stay here with a Big Five safari or other bush retreats in the North West.
What you need to know…
- The Pavilion is about 45-minutes’ drive from Joburg or Pretoria, but only 20 minutes from Lanseria Airport, making it an easy escape for anyone flying in for the weekend.
- On the same farm, and designed by the same architect take a gander at The Kitchen Garden.
- Nirox Sculpture Park has a residency programme for artists and sculptors from around the world, as well as ever-changing exhibitions at the Nirox Foundation.
- Nirox hosts an active concert, performance and programme of diverse genres including jazz, blues, folk, classical, contemporary, indigenous, opera, new music, live and performance arts.
- It’s worth spending a morning or afternoon at the world-class Maropeng Visitor Centre near the Sterkfontein Caves.
- If The Pavilion is not available for your dates, or your party is larger than two, browse our other unique holiday accommodation in Magaliesberg.
- Equally, if you’re looking for a shoot location and the Pavilion is already booked, there are a diverse variety of other shoot location properties in our portfolio.
Reviewed by Kitty George