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The south of Johannesburg has its fair share of lifestyle estates, but what stands out about these is the proliferation of highly affordable cluster and apartment offerings within these gated communities, offering residents all the facilities of the lifestyle estate but within reach of a young professional’s budget.
The Eye of Africa golf estate, located in the foothills of Johannesburg close to Alberton, is a prime example. Augustsaw the launch of The Village, a new apartment development on two acres of this lovely estate. The Village comprises 12 apartment blocks, with eight two- or three-bedroomed apartments in each block. They open out onto north-facing balconies, with the ground floor units boasting private gardens. The units are priced at between R 1.3 million and R 2.3 million.
Sales have gone exceptionally well. Within weeks of Phase 1 of the launch, 80% of the first apartment block was sold, which necessitated the fast-tracking of the second phase of The Village, of which there are 130 units starting from R 1 455 000 for a two-bedroomed apartment.
“Within two months of their release in early September, over 160 units out of the 230 units at The Village were sold. The buyers are a mix of investors and young couples and families from Joburg’s southern suburbs, as well as empty nesters. The uptake reveals just how strong market appetite is for this type of property within this price range in a secure lifestyle estate,” says Kent Gush, CEO of Kent Gush Properties.
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To create an entire lifestyle offering, The Village precinct will also include sectional title offices and convenience stores.
On the back of this recent development launch, Eye of Africa was listed as one of South Africa’s top 10 golf estates in AfrAsia Bank and New World Wealth’s September report.
Completing its spectrum of offerings, Eye of Africa also offers a freehold cluster development, called Stone Quarter, made up of three- and four-bedroomed homes priced from R 2.49 million. These homes boast magnificent finishes with SMEG appliances and home automation, and some of the properties overlook the fairways. The concept met with an eager response from the market, and within 12 weeks of its launch late in 2015, 21 homes were sold.
“With freeholding stands as well as cluster homes, there are a variety of entry and price points available, ensuring that there really is something for everyone,” says Gush.
For similar reasons, another lifestyle estate in the south that is doing well is the Meyersig Lifestyle Estate, as it has freestanding duplex cluster units starting at around R 940 000. “There is a strong interest in it. Our market is almost entirely in the southern suburbs of Joburg, like Mulbarton, Glenvista and Alberton, but we do have young buyers from Soweto as well,” says André Burger, sales agent at Remax. Meyersig features a pool and a clubhouse, as well as a jungle gym and mini soccer field, volleyball court and cricket bowling pitch. It is also close to Alberton CBD, schools, shops, shopping centres, Makro and all major motorways. “The estate’s facilities, its proximity to schools, and the 24-hour security are the strongest drawcards here,” says Burger.
Looking at the top end, the dominant lifestyle estates in the south are Meyersdal Eco-Estate, with homes selling from around R 7 million to over R 30 million, and Aspen Nature Estate, selling properties mostly in the R 4–5 million bracket.
The 112 000 square metre Meyersdal Eco-Estate encapsulates the natural beauty and splendour of the Klipriviersberg and highveld flora, and features 343 large residential stands ranging from 750 square metres to 4 000 square metres. It is home to 14 species of game from kudu to steenbok, and includes three dams, 16 kilometres of mountain-bike tracks and 7 kilometres of hiking trails.
According to Johan van Tonder, agent at Rawson Property, the homes selling the fastest are in the R 8 million to R 16 million bracket. “This has always been a popular upmarket estate, as it offers spectacular nature and has everything you expect from a lifestyle estate, yet it’s only a 10-minute drive from Johannesburg,” he says.
Aspen Nature Estate is further south in the Klipriviersberg, next to the suburb of Liefde en Vrede bordering the Mall of the South and the upmarket Aspen Business Park. This estate offers a clubhouse, boma area, braai area, cricket nets, four lakes, equestrian arenas, trampolines, sandpits, jungle gyms, tennis court, volleyball court, pitching/putting green and fishing catch and release. Building packages are available for buyers wanting to design their own home, although 95% of the estate is already sold.
“It’s an extremely sought-after estate because you can design your own home, with the entry level at around R 4 million. It has proved very popular with investors from Lenasia, who want centrality and security, as well as young professionals and young start-up families,” says Tania Rebolo, agent at Lencar Exclusive Properties.
For more information:
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