Description

UNIT 4 MYRTLE SQUARE 

Located near the foot of Table Mountain, this apartment is within walking distance from various retail hubs and restaurants, the central business district of Cape Town, excellent schools, The My City bus service, and close to one of the main access routes that connect with the N2 freeway which is a quick connection to Cape Town International Airport. The proximity to The University of Cape Town is 4.6km, to Mechaelis School Of Fine Art is 1.0km, and Cape Peninsula University Of Technology 1.3km.

The apartment is situated in a twelve-unit building with a distinct Arts & Crafts style. The current owners (Architect & Furniture Designer) who specialize in residential space planning and high-end detail design carefully converted the original compartmentalized single-level layout, into a loft-like space, with a new second level situated inside the original roof as well as a sculptural double volume living area. The main objective of the alteration was energy efficiency and maximum use of space. The existing ceiling height is 3m, which adds to the luxury of the apartment in these specific areas.

A residential area as per current zoning status includes the lobby, first level, front balcony and back balcony at a total area of 103.1sqm. The residential area added but not yet officially included in zoning status - 2nd level at 45.7sqm.  Garage under current zoning status at 15.9sqm

ACCOMMODATION

Private entrance at Ground Floor level, leading to the apartment at first floor level via a remodeled concrete staircase, newly clad in solid wood. The front door is original, but refitted with a full-height five point lock mechanism, and the original stained glass window has been refitted between two layers of intruder proof glass.

FIRST LEVEL  

- Open plan Living room, Dining room, Kitchen, Scullery / Laundry, with new selected Oak and tiled flooring. The original solid timber window frames have been restored to its original natural finish and the original Oregon floorboards have been incorporated into a new sculptural staircase. The kitchen area with finishes of acid washed Carrara marble, flamed granite, sculpted Valcromat in spray painted finishes with accents of Stripey Oak, is fitted with superior German hardware from HÄFELE and BLUM.

- Large Balcony leading directly off the living area.

- Leading off the Living room is a Study / Office that can easily be converted into a Third Bedroom that accesses a shared Bathroom with toilet, shower and basin. This room leads onto a timber deck that overlooks the communal courtyard adorned with large Fiddlewood trees. If used as part of the living space, the ablution is perfectly placed as a guest toilet.  

- The Second Bedroom is carpeted and leads directly off the living space and forms an En-Suite with the shared Bathroom comprising of bath, basin and direct access to the shared shower and toilet. The bespoke wardrobe is free-standing and can be included as an optional extra.

SECOND LEVEL 

- A large open plan carpeted Main Bedroom Suite occupies the modified roof space. Exposed feature truss structures over the double volume, references the aesthetics of a roof structure and functions as the structural support for a full-length floating shelf and headboard in polished stainless steel and raw bamboo. The headboard is suitable for a king or queen size mattress. The bespoke timber bed base is free-standing and can be included as an optional extra. The fixed bespoke wardrobe and drawer units were designed to maximize the ergonomic use of the space.  

- The En-Suite Bathroom with private toilet, double shower and double basin vanity that is part of the open space, is totally bespoke to optimize the space, yet adequately private.  

- Behind the wardrobe is a Store room / space tucked into the low part of the roof, which is ideal for boxes, luggage, archive filing etc.

 TECHNICAL: 

- Complete electrical rewiring with incorporation of battery backup for 50% lights and selected plugs, Solar geyser with electrical thermostat & control panel, LED lights throughout, combo SMEG gas and induction hob & low energy oven, under-tile heating in study / 3rd bedroom, heated towel rail and toilet GEBERIT with integrated electrical ventilation.

- Aerated HANSGROHE tap fittings throughout, to reduce water consumption.

- The entire roof is sealed in with Closed-Cell Polyurethane for maximum temperature control, waterproofing and fire retardancy. The same
material has been applied to the new light weight floor for its acoustic benefits and structural properties.

- The skylights are VELUX (Swiss import) with double glazing, integrated block-out blinds and retractable heat shields.

- All the old copper water reticulation pipes have been replaced with new composite pipes.

- The west facing door in the study / office was fitted with performance glass as well as an exterior roller blind for heat control.

- New automated garage doors.

- The apartment is fitted with a TELKOM telephone connection point, as well as with a Fibre WiFi connection point.

- Point-to-point security beams safeguard the balcony area that is linked to the internal alarm system that is privately contracted to City Bowl
Security. The common property courtyard is alarmed and monitored by City Bowl Security, which is contracted by the Body Corporate.

- A new small concealed safe was incorporated into the apartment.

- The building is in excellent structurally condition with no water ingress or damp issues.

EXTERNAL 

- Included is one of the two single-car lockable garages at Myrtle Square. Electricity supply to the garage was done during the alterations, which also allows for an automated door.

- A sizable covered balcony with decorative columns is situated on the first floor, facing the front gardens on the street side.

- A self-ventilating utilities cupboard houses the geyser and battery backup unit as well as shelving. The unit is at the rear of the timber deck, which is an area that can also be used for drying of washing.

AESTHETICS:  

The new interior structure has a contemporary style that honors the historic features of the existing building. The space was created for modern living with high-end quality finishes, specified for luxury and longevity. As a home office, each fitting, finish and detail was carefully designed to showcase the owner’s brand and passion for quality and design.

A theme of triangular and diamond shapes are used throughout, that originates from the interfaces of the exposed roof trusses, as seen on the sliding door in the kitchen, on the face of the wardrobe doors in the main bedroom, the brackets supporting the headboard and floating shelves, as well as with the ‘pièce de résistance’ being the sculptural steel and timber staircase. The staircase is unique in the sense that the stringer was engineered to cantilever free at the top, while the first four steps create the counter balance on the opposite side of its base.

The lack of physical height in the newly created roof space resulted in a novel solution for the inner space of the wardrobe. Inspired by the historic gentleman’s travel trunk, the shelves form part of the door structure, with hanging space placed deeper inside the unit.

Most of the finishes and fittings are special imports, such as OLIVARI door handles, NORMAN FOSTER sanitary ware, HANSGROHE & AXOR tap units, wall and floor tiles, as well as light fittings from various brands. Flamed granite slabs were used extensively in the first floor bathroom and scullery to craft functional geometric ledges, counter tops and wall cladding. Strategically placed glass screens in translucent white, acid edged and heated sandblasting, creates privacy while natural daylight is filtered into centrally located spaces. Finally the interior composition comprises mainly of three flat colors namely white, light and dark grey that creates a neutral background to celebrate the accents of light timber elements.