The secure lifestyle estates in Cape Town’s northern suburbs are a big drawcard for buyers migrating from other areas.
One of the strongest property trends, is the move to secure lifestyle estates. For buyers, Cape Town’s northern suburbs offer a number of estates in excellent locations, says Johan Jacobs, licensee for Seeff in the Plattekloof and surrounding areas.
Buyers migrating to the city from other areas are also especially drawn to the security that lifestyle estates offer and Cape Town's northern suburbs offer a number of these that rank high on the demand list for migrating buyers.
Jacobs says that despite the fabulous location, security and facilities that these estates offer, the prices are still very affordable by Cape Town standards and you can still buy property in the R2m-R5m range in many of these estates, with magnificent top-end luxury houses still on offer around the R10m price mark.
Sought after estates for luxury buyers
Popular estates include Burgundy Estate and Baronetcy Estate, both in Plattekloof and the latter being especially sought-after for luxury buyers including top sport starts. Then, there is also Welgedacht and Kanonberg in Durbanville and the exciting new Clara Anna Fontein, now under construction in the area.
Homes in Plattekloof area
A big advantage of the northern area neighbourhoods such as Plattekloof and Durbanville, is the convenient access to the N1 combined with excellent amenities close by such as Canal Walk, the Blouberg beaches and a host of attractions in the Durbanville/Tygervalley area.
The elevated location around the Tygerberg Hills offers fabulous views. And, says Jacobs, we also have the Durbanville Wine Valley, home to popular wineries such as De Grendel, Durbanville Hills, D’Aria, Meerendal, Phizante Kraal and Diemersdal, close by.
Fabulous views in De Grendel
These estates offer the ideal mix of lifestyle and security and are especially attractive for family and professional buyers, says Jacobs. This side of the city, is renowned for its excellent schools and also provide good access to UCT and with the N1 close by, also to Stellenbosch University.
Affordable security and lifestyle benefits
Affordability is a big draw-card and with that the security and lifestyle benefits and you can still buy for under R3m in some cases and under R6m in others. That said, the mini-boom of the past few years, has seen price ceilings lift considerably and luxury homes in Baronetcy now tops the R10m price mark, ranging to about R18m on average, says the licensee.
Burgundy Estate which borders the vineyards of De Grendel is the most affordable. It is close to the N7 and Plattekloof Road and offers modern architecture interspersed with landscape gardens and an excellent mix of homes, from apartments to townhouses and houses. Facilities include multi-purpose sports fields, a 9-hole mashie golf course, clubhouse with a tennis court, expansive canoeing pond and walking, jogging and cycling paths.
There is also a shopping centre, but you are very close to Canal Walk, Tygervalley Shopping Centre and the attractions of Blouberg/Tableview. Deeds Office data shows that Burgundy Estate is also popular with first time millennial buyers, representing more than half of all sales over the past year given that two-bedroomed flats are affordably priced around R1.2m-R1.8m. Townhouses and houses range upwards of R1.8m-R2.8m. It is also popular for rentals, thus offering good investment potential, says Jacobs.
On the other side of De Grendel, is the upmarket Baronetcy Estate, which offers architectural stunners for luxury buyers according to Stan Selikow, a Seeff agent for the estate. Security, fabulous views and a mix of upmarket architectural homes has seen property values spike in the estate, he says.
The estate is home to around 300 properties with spacious plots set amidst green-belt areas. Privacy and security is a big draw-card and the estate is popular with sport stars. Seeff has for example just listed the fabulous home of one of one of South Africa’s top cricketers.
Luxury houses range from around R6m-R16m on average, but a top end home can go for up to R20m, says Selikow. The best value for luxury buyers right now, is in the R10-R15m range where, for around R11.5m you can find a fabulous 650sqm architectural home with large open-plan living areas with air-conditioning and a fireplace, a bar/man cave, entertainment/TV room that can be converted to a home theatre, four luxury bedroom suites, the main with large his and hers walk-in dressing rooms/wardrobes, a large outdoor entertainment area with braai facilities and a heated swimming pool. It also comes with garaging for four vehicles and stunning views.
Baronetcy appeals to more established buyers with the 35-50 year ago group making up the biggest buyer contingent, says the agent.
The upmarket Baronetcy Estate
In the Durbanville area, the two top estates are Welgedacht and Kanonberg, both bordering on the Tygerberg Nature Reserve according to Fanie Marais, Seeff’s licensee for the area. Welgedacht Estate is well-established with some 568 houses with stunning gardens, set amidst landscaped parks with children’s play areas. It is priced around R5m-R12m on average. Kanonberg Estate has about 150 properties and beautiful gardens with water features and a clubhouse with a squash court, gymnasium and swimming pool with a kids’ pool. Prices range around R3m-R8m.
Marais says that both of these estates are attracting predominantly the 35-plus age group. In both, some 60% of properties have been in the same hands for longer than 8 years.
New in the area, is Clara Anna Fontein, a luxury housing development with a new Reddam House School being built right next door. It borders a game reserve and is located on the road to Meerendal amidst some of the most scenic countryside and overlooks fabulous vineyard scenery. It will offer fabulous facilities in the area. Prices range from R2.4m-R4.5m for land and townhouses are priced from R3.75m.
