Who’s Buying in Cape Town? Inside (CEO) Steven Bartlett’s Bishopscourt Home
Cape Town has always had a certain pull.
The mountain, the light, the lifestyle, the architecture and, increasingly, a global audience taking notice of the extraordinary homes tucked into some of the city’s most beautiful neighbourhoods.
One of those homeowners is Steven Bartlett, British entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO, one of the world’s best-known podcasts.
Bartlett’s Cape Town property, Intaba Villa in Bishopscourt, has recently made headlines after being listed for R189 million. The seven-bedroom home is set in Cape Town with spectacular views of Table Mountain, Devil’s Peak and the surrounding landscape.
And naturally, being furniture people, we immediately wanted to peek inside.
A Spectacular Cape Town Setting
There is no arguing with the architecture. The scale is extraordinary, with huge volumes, soaring openings, expanses of glass and a Cape Town landscape that does much of the talking.
Inside, the aesthetic is restrained and minimalist. Pale upholstery, stone, glass, clean lines and soft neutral tones allow the architecture and views to take centre stage.
Personally, we think those huge open spaces might need a few curated, individual pieces of character filled furniture to introduce warmth, texture and personality That said, these are property listing photographs, and a listing never tells the full story of how a home actually feels once the new owners make it home
Why Bishopscourt?
Set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, Bishopscourt is one of Cape Town’s most established luxury residential areas, known for large properties, privacy, mature gardens and its proximity to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Constantia’s lush wine valley.
It is part of a pocket of Cape Town that feels remarkably removed from the city while still being within easy reach of it.
And perhaps that is part of Cape Town’s appeal to international buyers. Few cities combine dramatic natural surroundings, established residential neighbourhoods, contemporary architecture, food, wine and an outdoor lifestyle quite like this one does.
Cape Town Is Firmly on the International Property Radar
Steven Bartlett’s Bishopscourt home may be an exceptional example, but it forms part of a much broader story.
Cape Town’s combination of lifestyle, natural beauty, climate and exceptional residential architecture continues to attract attention from both South African and international property buyers.
Areas such as Bishopscourt, Constantia and Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard offer something particularly difficult to replicate elsewhere: sophisticated city living surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty.
Cape Town’s appeal to international buyers continues to surge. In 2025, residential sales across the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl climbed 26% year-on-year, from R8.9 billion to R11.3 billion, with international buyers accounting for approximately R2.8 billion around 25% of the total value of all property sold in these prime areas. (BusinessTech)
It is also interesting to see how this is influencing Cape Town interiors and residential design. Contemporary architecture is increasingly being balanced with natural materials, local craftsmanship, art and furniture that brings warmth and individuality into large modern spaces.
For us, that is where a house starts becoming a home.
Homes With Soul
At Vintage-etc, we have always believed that homes should feel collected rather than decorated.
We love furniture with texture, grain, warmth and individuality. Old pieces alongside new ones. Natural timber alongside stone and glass. Art, books and objects that have a story.
Even the most spectacular architecture becomes more interesting when it tells you something about the people who live there.
And Steven, should you ever decide Intaba Villa needs just a little more soul, with handcrafted, individual pieces made right here in Cape Town, you know where to find us... 😉
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Images:Perfect Hideaways and Pam Golding Properties, as published by The South African. Original reporting and property images: “Bishopscourt bliss: Inside Steven Bartlett’s R189m mansion.” Vintage-etc is not affiliated with Steven Bartlett, Pam Golding Properties or The South African.
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