ALTERATION FRESNAYE CAPE TOWN

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After purchasing a Victorian semi-detached house in Fresnaye, a brave London-based client approached Grobler Architects to renovate this dark and dilapidated structure. After renovating several Victorian homes in the UK, our client knew exactly what he wanted. We took the shell of the old Victorian house and opened it up to create a modern and bright family home just off Sea Point’s bustling Main Road. The full potential of the building envelope was utilised, and, where possible, the building was extended up to the boundary to include a new playroom and guest bathroom. The roof of this bathroom was used for a new terrace and pool with views of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill.

With a lack of outdoor space, all vertical boundary walls were turned into green walls, turning narrow walkways into vertical gardens. Conforming to the very limited height restrictions and Heritage listing, a sensitive roof mansard extension was added to accommodate a guest suite and home office in the roof space while maintaining the historical character from the street.

A soft muted colour palette and luxurious gold, brass and solid oak finishes combined to give this home a contemporary feel within its traditional shell.