5 Bed House in Zwaanswyk

When Nicolas Louw subdivided Steenberg land for sale in the 1930''s, one of the early smallholdings created was this magnificent residence, with its yellowwood trees and indigenous garden of nearly two acres. This French Colonial home was originally a farm home which was converted into the grand stately home of over 1000m2 in 1992. All the sash windows with shutters, which are Burmese teak, were from the original homestead as well as the windowsills of Oregon.

Then in 2021 this home was once again completely internally renovated. In keeping with the original French Colonial homestead, the interior has been modernized without making it modern but rather contemporary and made to be far more open plan with an ease of flow that works. All the original doors and windows were reused to ensure authenticity.

Lets take you on a tour of this impressive property.

The original landscaping of the garden has been maintained while additional features like an impressive meandering stream of small to larger Koi ponds culminating in a large 200,000 litre pond with massive Koi is the main feature of the front garden. This garden has an array of huge trees attracting birds of every description including a variety of birds of prey such as black Sparrowhawks, Gymnogenes, Black Eagles and Fish Eagle etc. A massive composite deck has been added and spans the entire front of the house. This deck has three sets of steps going off to various parts of the garden and the entire deck is fully lit with tiny lights inset in the deck and steps.

This property is very private and cannot be seen from the road. With its long tree lined driveway which is densely flanked by thousands of clivias of a wide variety of colours, is stunning during the August to October flowering season. It eventually opens up into a large parking area with four barn style garage doors at its end. The driveway is also lined with a low post and rail fence which adds a rustic and yet sophisticated look to the entrance of the property.

The back garden sports a stunning swimming pool lined with black marblite which keeps the water warm during the summer months. A large glass enclosed braai area with a pizza oven, compliments this entertainment area of the garden.

There are also three large shade houses that are home to one of the largest award winning Clivia collections in the country. (Clivias not included). Three large bird aviaries are also available for anyone who enjoys keeping exotic birds.

A massive 120m2 workshop, fully equipped with a variety of wood working equipment is also a must have for any handyman. This workshop has a roller shutter door for moving large items in and out. Attached to this workshop is a 4-car carport where trailers etc can be kept. There is staff accommodation consisting of two bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchenette come sitting area with its own private courtyard. A large covered area for storage of firewood is adjoining this building.

The courtyard of the main house has an impressive vegetable garden and a covered porch. There is also a outdoor laundry/storage room with outside access.

Attached to the main house but completely separate, with its own front and back door, is a beautiful well equipped cosy guest cottage. It consists of a bachelor pad sporting a king size bed, built in cupboards, TV sitting area, kitchenette with a breakfast counter sitting area. It boasts a stunning rock clad woodburning fireplace and a rustic yet elegant ensuite bathroom. The front door opens out onto the swimming pool area. This cottage has a gas geyser for a constant flow of hot water.

GROUND FLOOR

The main entrance to this magnificent home opens through large black aluminium and glass pivot doors from the deck at the front of the house. It comprises an impressive double volume entrance hall which has views all the way from the front garden through to the back garden with a large state-of-the art imported circular fireplace in full view in the centre of the view as you enter the home. A custom-made Swedish-Oak wooden hanging designer light fitting, adds to the drama of this entrance. A majestic staircase winds its way up to the first floor.

Leading off this entrance hall is a beautiful well-lit study with a cosy bay window that looks out onto the deck, front garden and Koi ponds and also has two large north facing windows. A stunning floor to ceiling and wall to wall bookcase boasts many books and segmented turning woodwork masterpieces. To add to the coziness of this awesome study is a woodburning fireplace.

Also leading off the entrance hall is the large spectacular lounge. With modern high black aluminium glass stack doors opening out onto the deck and front garden and with wooden cottage pane stack doors opening through to the dining area. Again there are views from the front garden all the way through to the back garden bringing the outside in. It also has a bay window with a Jetmaster fireplace adding to the coziness of the room. Decorated with a modern white lounge suite and ginger leather occasional chairs which are complimented by original black and white photography, by the owner, of wildlife/landscapes on framed canvas, together with custom-made Swedish-oak light fittings, all adds to the overall bush lodge-lodge feel of the room. This lounge then leads through into the heart of the home.

The heart of the home can also be accessed from the entrance hall. This massive open plan area comprises a large kitchen which includes a ten-seater breakfast nook, and a state-of-the-art imported circular fireplace complimented with relaxing occasional chairs followed by a large light oak dining table that seats 12. In front of both the kitchen and dining area are high black aluminium and glass stack doors that open out onto the back garden, pool and braai area. Off the breakfast nook of this large open plan entertainment area is a huge scullery with double sinks, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer and a large farmhouse laundry sink with a hanging rail above. This area boasts large well appointed grocery cupboards with pull out shelves and broom cupboard together with many other cupboards to be used for whatever your heart desires. The kitchen has a gas stove and an electric oven and both the kitchen and scullery are supplied with hot water from their own dedicated gas geyser. The impressive centre island has a waterfall black granite top complete with prep sink. This island also has a light oak designer bar countertop attached with seating for four making cooking a sociable occasion while entertaining. The kitchen has plenty of cupboard space both under the island as well as wall mounted cupboards, pot drawers etc with double fridge/freezer and microwave. On the far wall of this entertainment area is a large screen smart TV for viewing from any of the spaces in this stunning open plan living area. There are large wooden, cottage pane stack doors leading into a passage which enables this entertainment area to be separated from the rest of the house when the fireplace is lit which makes this space warm and cosy in the cold winter nights.

At the end of the passage between the lounge and dining area is a stunning bar. Fitted with a Rosewood bar counter top and back wall cabinets with mirrored top lit shelves to show off crystal glasses and an impressive alcohol collection. The awesome authentic large wood and glass arch door leading outside to a smokers deck, gives the room character and balance. Off the bar is a short passage with a heavy wood and glass arch door at its end, opening out onto the swimming pool. Also off this passage is a well-appointed mudroom with a guest toilet and powder room.

Leading from the mudroom is a doorway going through to the four, extra-long, extra high garages which comfortably fits any large 4 x 4. There is also a landing where additional fridge/freezers can be kept as well as bicycle racks etc. These garages have windows which makes them well-lit during the daytime and motion sensor lights that come on and stay on until movement in the area ceases.

FIRST FLOOR

Now moving up to the first floor, there is a large master bedroom with a bay window and two other large north facing windows allowing loads of light into this room. There is also a door leading from the master bedroom out onto a large balcony overlooking the beautiful front garden and coy ponds. This room boasts large built-in cupboards which includes space for a large TV. There is a wood burning fireplace in this master bedroom making this a very cosy space in the winter months. The ensuite master bathroom is also stunning with a door going out onto a balcony overlooking the back garden and swimming pool area.

There are three additional large guest bedrooms all with bathrooms ensuite and plenty of built in cupboards. Also on this level is an open plan pyjama lounge with its own wood burning fireplace and doors opening out onto a balcony overlooking the front garden and koi ponds and large black aluminium and glass stack doors opening out onto a lovely balcony with beautiful views of the mountains behind the house. This balcony has loungers and is ideal for suntanning or just lazing outside in the sunshine or reading a book. Also in this open plan area is a well-appointed coffee station for guests who want to relax watching TV while enjoying easy access to a cup of their favorite hot beverage.

From here is a staircase going up into an attic. This large attic is made up of five separate spaces.

A linen room with custom made open shelving for storage of towels and linen for all the bedrooms.

A drying room with hanging space to accommodate wet washing during Cape Towns rainy season. This is a must have space for a home of this size in Cape Town.

There is also a spa room with a massage bed and space for all the trimmings in a well-appointed spa room.

And attached to the spa room is a small bathroom with a shower, basin and toilet.

A large studio/gym room is also on this level with 2 walls covered in mirrors.

Large skylights are fitted in every room in the attic which allows for maximum light and stunning views of the mountains and gardens down below.

Extractors are also fitted in the studio/gym and spa room to ensure that the area is cool in the summer months.

This entire home has light oak, top quality imported veneer luxury plank flooring throughout. This complimented by the large stack doors makes this home is cool and breezy in the summer months and with the addition of six fireplaces makes this home warm and cosy in the winter months and at all times bringing the outside inside. The property has post and rail fencing along the front of the property and up the driveway to add to the horsey environment that it is a part of the grand entrance in keeping with the grandness of this impressive home.

The gardens irrigation system is connected to a good borehole which is also fitted with a booster pump to ensure that the entire property has water access from the borehole. There are two ten thousand litre storage tanks for the borehole water. Another smaller 2000 litre tank has been installed with a booster pump on standby for connection into the house should council water fail.

The house is supplied by both gas and electric geysers. A solar system with a Deye 3 phase, 12 kva inverter, 3 x 5 amp Volta batteries and 15 solar panels. This ensures that loadshedding is a thing of the past. Only the oven, electric geysers and borehole pumps are not on this system.

The garden has its own compost heaps that provide enough compost to keep the garden well composted year round.

The home is fully alarmed and connected to a security company which also has a manned security hut at the entrance to this suburb. The property has four large security floodlights that can be turned on from the master bedroom.

Zwaanswyk is known to be one of the safest neighbourhoods in the area with only one access road in and out and a security hut at the bottom. Conveniently situated in close proximity to excellent schools - Reddam House, the American International School and Constantia Waldorf School - this property is ideal for a family with children. All the delights this valley has to offer are right on your doorstep- Tokai Forest and Silvermine Nature Reserve for hiking or mountain-biking, the Constantia greenbelts and a choice of fine old Cape wine farms Steenberg, Constantia Uitsig, Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia and Klein Constantia. Steenberg Golf Course and Steenberg Shopping Centre are just minutes away.