A memo from mother earth
Gaia is an extraordinary family home in the serene suburb of Constantia, where a wonderland of adventure and curiosity nurtures your unique Cape Town escape.
Over time, transcending the decades of generations that occupy the space that encapsulates family life, a home formulates an identity. Creating a personality that’s palpable in every element of its build. A character that reflects the integrity of its custodians, harnessing the essence of familial growth and love. When walking through the bespoke living, dining, lounging, reading, creating, cooking, playing and resting spaces of this Constantia hideaway, it’s apparent just how much love and intention has gone into every corner and crevice of the home. Giving more meaning to her name, Gaia, than the Greeks themselves. For in every layer of brick, every blue gum beam, every plank of yellowwood timber and sheath of steel and glass, Mother Earth is present. Reaffirming her identity, her attributes and her generosity of spirit, from the soil up.
Set on over two acres of enchanting, meandering gardens – where treehouses rest on branches joined by wooden bridges and walkways, with ziplines over the swimming pool, the vegetable and herb gardens, citrus and pomegranate trees, chicken coops and duck ponds – this hideaway stops at nothing when it comes to dishing up all of the goods for garden frolics! Two delightful dogs and five horses add to the farmyard fun. For those that are experienced riders, you could even take a walk around the neighbouring forests with the property’s groundsman if you fancied. A sanctuary as such, Gaia’s garden alone encapsulates everything you would want out of a hedonistic holiday in Cape Town.
Then we go inside and this is when her character really starts to shine through all of the evocative layers of tones and textures. The layout of the living and entertaining spaces, the kitchen and the dining area. The seven bedrooms with their four accompanying bathrooms. The cinema room and three office spaces. The GYROTONIC gym, the infrared sauna and steam room. The beautiful indoor eco pool and all of its foliage. The playroom and all of the little pockets of inspiration. Everything has been consciously stitched together with matriarchal intent. Even the pizza oven in the kitchen. The very first cooking vessel in the home that was fired-up to feed the busy imaginations at work. Weaving this masterpiece of a tapestry that gushes inspiration at every turn.
Holidays at home
It’ll be easy for you and your mammoth clan to settle on the grounds of Gaia for days, weeks, even months on end. Succumbing to the slow African pace of suburban life. Gazing up to the mountain every morning from the front verandah with your hot brew. Collecting eggs from the coop. Harvesting some essentials for the languid brunch around the table. Pizza-making rituals with the clan, toasting to the day’s achievements. Playing games around the fireplaces, swimming in the pools, chilling out in the cinema room as a team. When we watch something, we watch together! Of course all of the areas of the home will have you motivated to tend to something creative. But it’s mostly about the beautiful act of bonding with your favourite people, in the embrace of a home that’s all too familiar with it. Yes, you’ll head to the beaches and into the city centre. To the neighbouring wine estates and horse riding in the forests. Mountain trails by foot or by bike and perhaps a visit to the nearby botanical gardens. But it’s very likely you’ll be held captive by the maternal grip of this breathtakingly beautiful Constantia sanctuary. Resting and reconnecting with a life less-ordinary, yet entirely more-fulfilling.Â
What we love!
- We know that images speak a million words, but when you get the opportunity to experience the space in person, it’s entirely transformative. Into an artist’s lair where all of their works tell a riveting story. Every item of furniture and sculpture statement, signature piece of art and ornament has been consciously placed and sourced…mostly locally.
- Having a delicious morning coffee on the verandah, watching the mountain come to life with colour, and the birdlife sweep through the forest.Â
- Who doesn’t love a steam and sauna session to drain out those holiday toxins and revitalise every part of your vacation! Then a dip in the eco pool afterwards.Â
- The kitchen is a very special part of the home – with the owners’ intent of having it at the helm. Being the most important family-bonding zone.
- Whilst some of you might be snoozing in your own suites in the afternoon, others will be in the kitchen, or in the cinema room. Some might be in the gym, others playing games or gallivanting around the garden…there’s an abundance of space that either segregates or congregates, depending on what you and your clan fancy.Â
What you need to know…
- Gaia sits within the leafy suburb of Constantia – a mere 15-minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre. The beaches are only a 20-minute drive away and all of the nature trails are within easy driving distance.Â
- There is an additional loft apartment, a small dwelling on the property that can accommodate either an extra guest or holiday help during your stay.Â
- There are also several office / working spaces within the home making this a great spot to do some remote working should you need to.
- The property does have a resident groundsman who assists with the maintenance of the property. Feeding the animals and assisting with the horsehides if experienced riders are keen for a little trot around the forest.Â
- There is daily housekeeping onsite, so that you can have your essential house duties tended to during the week, by the two lovely ladies that take care of the property.
- There is no fencing around the swimming pools. The stairways and the treehouses are not ideal for young children activity, unless supervised at all times!Â
- Cape Town’s Constantia wine region – home to some of the country’s finest restaurants and wine estates – is on your 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.
- If Gaia is not available on your dates, browse our full collection of exclusive-use holiday houses in Constantia.Â
Reviewed by Colleen Ogilvie