Glen Villa by ARRCC: Modern House in Cape Town with Stunning Views and Garden Pavilion

This page is also available in the following languages:🇷🇺🇺🇦🇫🇷🇩🇪🇪🇸🇵🇱🇨🇳

Modern glass architectural house with a neat design leading to a well-maintained garden and pool, surrounded by nature and mountain landscapes.

Nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, ARRCC transformed a modern residence into a world of classic private sanctuary that redefines luxury living. Known for their bold yet refined approach to architecture and interiors, the design team updated the original home by Antonio Zaninovich, carefully adding new architectural volumes, landscape terraces, and African minimalism in the interior. The result is a flawless blend of urban elegance and natural tranquility — a urban resort, designed for modern living.

Architecture: Expanding the Connection Between Home and Nature

The Pavilion in a New Form

The most notable change by ARRCC is the creation of a new garden pavilion, replacing a small open structure. Projecting from the rocky slope and suspended between mature trees, this glass and stone pavilion blurs the boundary between interior comfort and wild mountain landscape.

The pavilion includes:

Relaxation and bar area, enclosed in solid glass from floor to ceiling
Private dining area, featuring a custom table by Martin Doller, integrated with lighting and greenery
Outdoor cooking zones, with pizza and barbecue setups
Scenic brass fireplace, created by Barry Ashmore, inspired by 1920s headwear

A walking path connects the pavilion to the main villa, while a cozy boma fire area echoes ARRCC's well-known design for the Cheeseman Hotel, reinforcing the project’s identity as an “urban safari resort.”

Master Bedroom Penthouse

ARRCC transformed and expanded the upper bedroom into a penthouse-style master suite, redefining how the house interacts with Cape Town’s urban landscape. The bedroom includes:

Clothing area, clad in wooden slats and bronze
Bathroom in marble and travertine, offering a serene, spa-like luxury
Custom marble bed base, perfectly oriented toward the panoramic city view

This private sanctuary combines intimacy with grandeur, embodying the villa’s philosophy as a relaxed yet refined retreat.

Interior: African Minimalism Meets Luxury

Working with interior designers Mark Riddle and Nina Sierra Rubio, ARRCC curated interiors that feel tactile, structurally complex, and deeply connected to the landscape. Their African minimalist approach celebrates both raw and refined elements equally.

Natural materials: Textured woods, concrete, stone, leather and textiles create an earthy palette.
Luxurious details: Shiny metals, polished brass and soft furs add elements of opulence.
Handcrafted individuality: Local artisans such as OKHA, Martin Doller and David Reed contributed custom furniture, lighting and decor.

One of the standout interiors is the wine cellar, where ebony oak, gold roof and brass lighting create a shimmering treasure room contrasting with the more modest areas of the villa.

Landscape and Outdoor Experience

The villa’s landscape terraces play a key role in enhancing the “urban resort” experience. Extensive grassy areas, tucked courtyards and cooking zones extend the living space outdoors, providing opportunities for entertainment, relaxation and quiet contemplation.

The garden pavilion and fire boma seamlessly connect with the terrace, while thoughtfully placed windows in the house frame views of Table Mountain and Cape Town. Architecture, interiors and landscape work together to immerse residents in nature without losing privacy or comfort.

Merging Urban and Natural Life

Director John Casey describes Glen Villa as a “urban resort” — a home that balances urban sophistication with the wild beauty of Cape Town. By layering architectural precision, craftsmanship and integration into the mountain slope, ARRCC created a residence that is both timeless and distinctly African in spirit.

Glen Villa by ARRCC demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform a private home into a sacred space of luxury, nature and modernity. From its suspended pavilion and African minimalism in the interior to its penthouse master bedroom with city views, the house is a celebration of South African architectural grandeur. Located at the foot of Table Mountain, Glen Villa represents the future of luxury living in Cape Town — refined, grounded and unforgettable.

Photo © Adam Letch Glen Villa by ARRCC: Modern House in Cape Town with Stunning Views and Garden Pavilion