A HERITAGE RESTORED, A HOME REIMAGINED
At the foot of the Constantiaberg mountains, Steenberg Farm has carried centuries of history. Its Manor House, dating back to 1682, has now undergone a sensitive architectural re-envisioning that preserves its Cape Dutch heritage while elevating the guest experience through refined contemporary design.
As the oldest building on the estate, the Manor House embodies Steenberg’ s origins. The recent restoration focused on honouring original craftsmanship and enhancing the building’ s sense of place through texture, tone and materiality. Historic elements were carefully revived, including the thatch and timber roof structure, sash windows, wide-plank wooden floors and walls thickened by centuries of use. These features form the architectural foundation of the interior vision.
A calm and layered palette unifies the spaces, using rust, chocolate, ochre, dusty pink and cream in varying intensities to create warmth and tranquillity. Materials play a central role, with linen, mohair, oak, mahogany and marble used to establish tactility and depth. The selection of contemporary furniture and décor was guided by proportion, craftsmanship and compatibility with the building’ s historic character.
Modern interventions were introduced with restraint. Improvements to lighting, handwoven textiles and bespoke furniture ensure comfort without diluting the Manor House’ s identity. Each room was treated as a narrative space shaped by its original architecture and enriched through artwork. South African makers and designers contributed significantly, creating custom furnishings and sculptural elements that strengthen the building’ s connection to place. Sustainability guided the process through local materials and repurposing original elements. Craftsmanship became the measure of luxury.
The restoration extended beyond the interior. Landscaping around the Manor House was refined to enhance sightlines, anchor the building within its natural context and create a more intuitive arrival sequence for guests. Select hospitality spaces across the estate also received gentle upgrades to align with the Manor House’ s renewed design language. The Manor House now stands as a considered continuation of its 350-year story. With its architectural heritage preserved and interiors thoughtfully revitalised, it offers guests a serene encounter with history framed through contemporary South African design.
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