Inner-city Oasis

Botany House, a hidden escape in the heart of the Mother City, is a lush garden sanctuary that instantly instils tranquillity and invites you to slow down, breathe and just be.

WORDS Palesa Mohola PHOTOS Elzaan van der Merwe

Born from a love for the timeless elegance of mid-century modern design, Botany House, a boutique retreat in Cape Town’s Gardens neighbourhood, is curated to blend urban living with leafy, suburban calm – making it the perfect place for unwinding fully while remaining connected to the city’s vibrant energy.

“There is an unmistakably calming, restorative feeling the moment you arrive at Botany House. The energy of the space is something that cannot truly be captured in words or images,” says Bianca Yedid Levi, co-founder of Botany House.

Though Bianca and her family often view properties for renovations or buy-to-let investments, curiosity led them to this one – and they fell in love with it instantly. It was the property itself that sparked their transition into wellness hospitality: a desire to share the experience of this remarkable place.

At its heart, the property boasts a garden with mature trees kept exactly where they stood, one enclosed within a greenhouse; a variety of beautiful tropical plants, including towering ferns and vibrant clivias spilling out around every corner; a stone-walled swimming pool nestled amongst the foliage, evoking the feeling of a natural spring; and tying it all together, a curved wooden deck that winds gently through the greenery.

“From the beginning, we knew that the magic of Botany House was rooted in its history, its mature gardens and that extraordinary feeling of being completely surrounded by nature. The intention was never to overpower any of that, but to reveal and enhance it. Working within the existing structure and landscape meant that every decision had to be thoughtful. The mature trees and established planting were not obstacles to work around,“ says Bianca. The existing greenery became part of the design itself, influencing the way spaces were planned and ensuring that nature remained at the heart of the property. “In the end, some of those limitations became our greatest strengths. They encouraged us to create something that feels layered and authentic, rather than overly perfected. The result feels very much of its place, which was always the intention.”

Inside, the same attention to detail was applied. “Natural materials form the foundation of the house. Each suite began with its own unique marble selection, and these beautiful stones became the starting point for the palette and personality of each room. From there, we layered oak, natural timbers, linen, textured fabrics and handcrafted finishes. We wanted materials that invite you to touch them, that become more beautiful with time and give the interiors a sense of warmth and depth. We deliberately avoided relying on bold statements. Instead, we allowed the materials themselves to do the talking. The variation in grain, stone, texture and light creates an understated richness that feels both refined and incredibly welcoming,” says Bianca.

Bianca was drawn to a sense of timelessness rather than anything too trend-led, using soft forms, curated furniture and lighting by Bofred, Deft, and Houtlander, to create interiors with a feeling of permanence. The walls are adorned with artworks by local artists Jana Wasserman, Juliet Eidelman, Yarden Yedid Levi, and Jessica Bosworth Smith.

The bespoke porcelain mushroom installation by Juliet Eidelman is particularly close to Bianca’s heart. “It was created as an ode to the fungi that once grew wild throughout the garden, so it carries a small piece of the property’s history into the interiors. I love that it is unexpected. It is not simply a beautiful object, but something with a story behind it. Those are the details that make a place feel personal, and that is what we wanted Botany House to be,” says Bianca.

The property offers three distinctly curated suites:

• Garden Suites: Opulent green rooms that open onto a lush, tranquil garden and greenhouse area – designed for deep rest.
• Pool Suites: Open to the stone-walled pool, each with a private balcony and Table Mountain views.
• The Grand Botany Suite: A private lounge and full kitchenette with calming decor, making this suite a peaceful retreat – designed for longer stays.

“The space was envisioned as an oasis in the middle of the city, a place to unwind fully while remaining connected to Cape Town’s vibrant energy. Gardens blends urban living with leafy, suburban calm,” says Bianca. botany-house.com | @botanyhouse_ct

Don’t forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter for the latest architecture and design news.