South Villa

September 30, 2020

Designed by SAOTA South Villa is a five-story penthouse in the award-winning Clifton Terraces apartments on Victoria Road, Cape Town. Its elevated position on the iconic Lion’s Head takes in extravagant ocean views and local landmarks such as Table Mountain and Clifton’s pristine beaches.


Deep overhangs and a restrained natural palette of materials blend into the beautiful natural surroundings while landscaped terraces on each level ensure that the building will settle even more effectively into its environment over time. The building mimics the existing contours of the site, sensitively ensuring that the views from neighbouring sites were unaffected or even improved. The interior décor and interior architecture, by ARRCC and OKHA, has stylistic connections to the style moderne movement of the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 30s.



Entering Clifton Terraces via its stone-clad reception area, a private lift ascends six levels to the penthouse and opens to a hallway featuring a full panel of Fantasy marble before reaching the private lobby of the penthouse. Here, a provocative layering of oak and brass inlay accents, together with charcoal grey ribbed timber skirting converge in a backlit slab of Verde Fume Onice Onyx beneath a shadow skylight and LED-lit walls.



Exiting the lift into South Villa, a classic clad steel mesh door leads into a double volume living area that features warm bronze and glass installations such as the feature staircase. ARRCC director Jon Case says, “Classical wall detailing has been given new life with a contemporary color pallet introducing moody greys, deep blues and textured green finishes.” The living area in turn opens onto a 150 sqm terrace that boasts a raised rectangular heated pool that affords 360-degree, year-round views of Clifton and Table Mountain.




The penthouse doubles as a private art gallery, curated by OKHA in collaboration with the client and features works from galleries such as SMAC, What If the World and Southern Guild. Featured artists include the likes of Chris Soal, Galia Gluckman, Michele Mathison, Alexandra Karakashian, Mongezi Ncaphayi, Pierre Vermeulen, Chuma Maweni and Atang Tshikare.



“The emotive tension between colours, materials, tactility, forms, and spaces symbiotically contribute to the overall design narrative,” says Case.



There is a broad range of custom-designed OKHA furniture pieces featured in key areas throughout the apartment; from the master bedroom and the dining room to the formal lounge and lobby. Stand-out pieces include the double trapezoid-shaped Morpheus Dining Table and the ViA console in the lobby. Taking their cue from the architecture, OKHA’s emphasis was intentionally placed on the power of form, mass and materiality.



ARRCC used a classic ribbed wall panelling in a rich dark green in the master bedroom which, together with wooden flooring, echo the Cape pines that frame the windows facing Camps Bay. The custom bed with multi-panelled headboard in Oak and French cane, broad, low armchair in rich green velvet and marble-topped timber side tables are all custom-made by OKHA. The en-suite master bathroom, where French cane bronze mirrors and oak are combined with wall-to-wall slabs of Bianco Carrara marble, provides a vibrant backdrop to the dramatic and moody master bedroom.



“The character of the furnishings throughout is not achieved through ornamentation but in keeping with the principles of style moderne, using clear articulation, with scale playing an important role.”



Photography by Adam Letch & Niel Vosloo

www.saota.com
www.arrcc.com
www.okha.com

SHARE THIS

 Contribute

G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.

WRITE US

 Find us on

Latest News

By G&G _ Magazine • September 28, 2026
With nearly four decades of experience in the Middle East, Godwin Austen Johnson approaches architecture through a deep understanding of context, climate, culture and the commercial realities that shape the built environment. This perspective is expressed in Serenia Living, the practice’s completed luxury residential development on Palm Jumeirah and winner of the 2026 Luxury Lifestyle Awards for Best Luxury Apartment Architecture in Dubai, UAE .
By G&G _ Magazine • September 22, 2026
Ten years after its launch in Milan, Contract District Group enters a new phase of growth, combining interior design expertise, proprietary technology and artificial intelligence to reshape furniture distribution across contract and retail markets.
By G&G _ Magazine • September 19, 2026
Studio WYZE, the interior design firm with studios in London and Zurich, projected TATTU Dubai of Permanently Unique Group, located within the world’s tallest hotel Ciel Dubai Marina .
By G&G _ Magazine • September 6, 2026
From 12 to 20 September 2026, the eighth edition of Lake Como Design Festival unfolds across Como, Lake Como and, for the first time, Lecco, bringing exhibitions, installations and new collaborations under the theme “ Border ”.
By G&G _ Magazine • September 3, 2026
Running from 15 to 20 September 2026 Shoreditch Design Week brings together more than 100 showrooms, exhibitions, installations and events across LDF’s largest design district. This year's programme expands with the addition of Material Matters at Unlocked, ND Selects at Kachette and Neuroplaces alongside returning favourites including Design at Work, Isola Design, 2LG Studio and Raw Collaborative at House of Icon further cementing Shoreditch's reputation as a leading destination for contemporary design.
By G&G _ Magazine • August 24, 2026
In the vibrant Sukhumvit district, tender pink, graceful arches and refined minimalist design come together at Away Sukhumvit Bangkok , creating a playful yet sophisticated retreat for the modern traveler.
MORE

 Subscribe

Keep up to date with the latest trends!

Receive a dose of inspiration directly into your mailbox!

 Popular Posts

By Zhanna Lysohorova • September 23, 2026
From AI and mass production to materials and responsibility, the 21st Tallinn Design Festival explores the future of product design through exhibitions, talks and events across Estonia’s capital, from 28 September to 4 October 2026.
By G&G _ Magazine • September 19, 2026
Studio WYZE, the interior design firm with studios in London and Zurich, projected TATTU Dubai of Permanently Unique Group, located within the world’s tallest hotel Ciel Dubai Marina .
By G&G _ Magazine • September 15, 2026
In Kyiv, Ater Architects projected Integral Fitness Studio , seamlessly integrated with G.Bar , as a contemporary environment where movement, beauty and holistic wellbeing come together.