Situated just about as high as you can get above the city, Cape Cove nestles into the side of Lion's Head in the prestigious residential suburb of Fresnaye,  within a short drive of the trendy beaches at Clifton beaches, the V&A Waterfront and downtown Cape Town.

Launched recently with not one but two parties knee-deep in champagne and sushi, this latest addition to the Blue Views stable has instantly become the flagship property for this popular group.

The manager, Linda, started out with exceptionally high standards and has had nine years to perfect her knowledge of what it is that high-flying visitors to Cape Town desire.  While all the properties are based on an open-plan living space that flows easily to the outside, the houses have a Scandinavian accent to their furnishings, whereas the penthouse apartments tend towards the New York minimalist.  Glass walls fold away to let the interiors and exteriors merge, and iconic pieces of furniture have been placed against dramatic backdrops.

Penthouse II offers no less than five large en-suite bedrooms, which come with extra-length king size beds as standard.  As with the other properties, Penthouse II has a complimentary ADSL line and WiFi connectivity and is serviced each day by a dedicated team of staff.  Each bedroom has air-conditioning and a personal CD player with excellent sound quality.

The outside spaces offer awe-inspiring views of the mountains and the sea, with an assortment of ridiculously comfortable corners offering varying degrees of shade or privacy.  Maximum social exposure is gained from the 8 metre glass-fronted pool which links the lines of the indoor living space with the various outdoor areas.  With the Twelve Apostles on one side and Lion’s Head on the other, it looks out to over the Atlantic Ocean and basks in the afternoon sunshine.

If the demand for the first Penthouse is anything to go by, this place will be taking bookings well in advance. 

3 mins walk from nearest beach
10 mins walk from Camps Bay beach, shops and restaurants
25 mins from Cape Town Airport
10 mins from Cape Town centre

"The site itself is one to be envied, for the house is built on a spur of the mountain that juts out between two ravines. Each of these ravines has been treated in a natural manner, with paths falling through flowering shrubs and indigenous trees to streams. In one of these is a waterfall, below which has been built an open-air swimming pool, entirely shaded by the tall side of the ravine. It is nature aided by subtleties that pass as Nature's handiwork."
Cape Argus newspaper December 1929

Ellerman House in the premier suburb of Bantry Bay has long been known for its fabulous art collection and immaculate service.  Once the stately residence of Sir John and Lady Ellerman, it has been meticulously restored to its original early 20th century splendour. But it is the recent addition of the villa that has really got people talking.  

At the private entrance on the lower ground floor a Beezy Bailey sculpture stands sentry next to a black marble waterfall which plunges into a bed of weathered pebbles.  From here a lift connects all levels of the house, hugged all the way by a curved staircase with rail bound in leather.

The ground floor doubles as a spa which is also available to guests from the main house who walk through the gardens to a separate entrance.  There are two bedrooms on this floor which may be taken in addition to the three bedrooms of the villa.

Above, on the first floor, is the open plan living area which flows outdoors to the endless horizon with massive glass windows which peel back completely to open up the lounge, dining room and study to the magnificent views of the ocean and sunset.  A separate entertainment room with plasma TV, DVDs, and CDs downloaded into the house’s main server, leads into a high tech stainless steel kitchen fully stocked with delicacies from the best gourmet shops in the city.

And perched above everything else on the upper floor are the three en-suite bedrooms of the villa, each with a distinctive style and a commanding view.

The villa glories in its cutting edge design and its collection of bold, beautiful artwork. Throughout the property slick modernity is successfully coupled with incredibly comfortable design principles while cool colours, inspired by the refreshing palette of the Atlantic Ocean, define the interior.

It even has its own butler to cater to the guests’ every whim.  What’s not to love?

Nearest beach: Clifton beaches, within walking distance
5 mins drive from  a good selection of bars and restaurants
25 mins from Cape Town Airport
8 mins from Cape Town centre

This elegant pad exudes exclusivity.  Artfully designed to maximise space and light, it is also able to adapt to the needs of its occupants, whether as a location for a trendy party or a tranquil retreat.

Its enviable location one road back from the beach provides the advantage of particularly impressive views while still being within walking distance of Bakoven’s pretty little cove.  Bakoven itself is a small, exclusive area just to the south of Camps Bay, the main beach of which is a 10 minute walk along the coast road.

The main living area of the apartment is reached via stone stairs from a remote-operated garage at street level.  A wall separates the lounge area and fireplace from the kitchen and dining area, yet slide-away glass walls mean that all of the interior blends seamlessly with the remarkably private large deck and plunge pool. Stunning views of the sea and mountains are virtually unrestricted from almost any area of the apartment.

Drive along the dramatic coastline between buzzing central Cape Town and the famous beach of Camps Bay, and you’ll pass Mwanzoleo without even knowing it.  From the outside, the house blends easily with the cliff face into which it is built, a fact which seems all the more extraordinary once you step into the vast spaces of this astonishing house.

Rising six stories with a dramatic rock backdrop, Mwanzoleo is undoubtedly one of the finest modern properties in the Cape. Designed for the private use of its owners, it offers five en-suite bedrooms and a small but chic self-catering unit.  Huge glass walls blend with large slabs of travertine marble and bold walnut floors, and open-air rooms melt into the endless horizon.

Not only is the architecture an artwork in itself, but the furniture includes pieces designed by the likes of Fritz Hansen, Charles Eames, B & B Italia and Erro Saarinen and is complemented by an enviable art and sculpture collection featuring work by both South African and international artists.

In addition to the 200m2 sitting room on the fifth floor, there is also a library/cinema, but as far as entertainment areas go the crowning glory must be the fourth floor deck which not only has a rim flow pool but dining for 14, a gazebo, sun beds and a fully stocked bar. And if it all becomes too much, there is a dedicated treatment room with massage therapists and aestheticians available on request.

The house is walking distance from the beaches at Clifton and Camps Bay but should you wish to go further the garage on the ground level houses a fun convertible, a luxury seven-seater 4x4 and a scooter for zipping around town, all primed and ready for use at any time either on your own or with a driver.

Amongst the various members of staff is an experienced chef available to cook on demand and Gavin MacKinnon, the charming villa general manager, who will arrange outings or book restaurants or services as required.

Nearest beach: Clifton beaches, within walking distance
5 mins drive from  a good selection of bars and restaurants
20 mins from Cape Town Airport
5 mins from Cape Town centre