Set amongst the gently sloping coastal grasslands and indigenous forests at Salt Rock on the magnificent KwaZulu-Natal north coast is the award-winning Dunkirk Estate. According to legend, the estate was built on a farm named after the Battle of Dunkirk in 1914 and offers the ultimate lifestyle option for residents and visitors whilst retaining a responsible environmental footprint.
The developers spent 18 months completely rehabilitating the area, which consisted of old sugar cane fields. They created two man-made dams and planted R 1.5 million worth of vegetation in order to form the breathtaking residential community. Whilst immersed in 52 acres of forest land, only 46% of the land is permitted to be developed and a boardwalk has been erected to form a tranquil path through the beautiful forest area, which houses the extremely scarce forest orchid. Both dams, which permit catch and release fishing, offer further recreational facilities for residents and approximately 20 mammal species can be found, including a growing population of bushbuck and plenty of ducks, buck and grey duiker, as well as 156 recorded species of birdlife.
Enhancing the lifestyle options are a variety of unique facilities available to all residents. At the award-winning clubhouse, which was the first property to be built on the estate in 2003, residents can enjoy the full use of a steam room and sauna, the 25-metre outdoor heated pool, fully equipped gym, relaxing spa staffed with qualified beautician and homeopath and an onsite yoga studio. Floodlit tennis courts, three kiddies’ play areas and numerous jogging trails give everyone the perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, whilst the Ray’s Kitchen restaurant provides delicious meals and wines and is also open to the general public.
Available only to residents via electronic access cards is the magnificent private beach clubhouse, which includes a restaurant catering for light meals and snacks. The double-storey building offers loungers, tables and chairs as well as a built-in gas braai area and there are showers and modern amenities for added comfort. Ample, secure and convenient parking is available for residents who wish to take the short drive down to the beautiful Salt Rock beach, which stretches for kilometres and is manned by lifeguards, and an adjacent tidal pool is also available for little ones and the elderly to enjoy.
Created by Design Workshop, the über trendy public spaces include the R 400 000 fountain near the entrance, management offices, clubhouse, beach clubhouse and Dash Apartments, all of which coincide with the loosely termed Natal Veranda architectural style. Reminiscent of modern-day Europe, the estate provides secure living for 340 families, the majority of which are permanent residents, with a small percentage of rental units and some holiday homes also available. The residential component comprises 179 full title stands and property values for these have soared over the decade, making Dunkirk Estate a sound investment option.
The estate has been investing in its FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) transition and also lends a hand to the environment by adopting eco-friendly sustainable practices and endeavouring to be entirely self-sufficient. The local municipality only collects the estates’ wet waste; the remainder is accumulated regularly, separated and recycled by the estate, which also collects verge trimmings and garden refuse, and this is used to manufacture compost. Residents are also encouraged to harvest water and conserve energy and the estate supports local schools in its charity drives and fundraising efforts.
A pristine and rare estate where family and lifestyle come first, Dunkirk Estate stands out as an environmentally responsible, luxury residential development and remains a premium address for those wanting to treasure the spoils of the north coast in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
