Blue Hills Country & Equestrian Estate

For those living in the bustling metropolises of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Midrand, the possibility of no traffic, clean air and sprawling acres of luscious greenery has been but a distant and somewhat unattainable dream.

Yet, things are about to change, with the Midrand area especially awash with recent developments and the most current proving to be a dream come true for both families seeking respite from the busy city life and investors with an astute ear to the ground.

Located in the quiet countryside district of Beaulieu, the new and exclusive Blue Hills Country and Equestrian Estate appeals to those who want an exclusive country lifestyle within the boundaries of an extremely tight, nonintrusive security estate, as well as those looking for a sound and simple financial investment.

Spread over 200 hectares, the estate boasts a total of 128 larger-than-average freehold stands, which range from 5 000m² to 15 000m² in size and are priced from just R 2.8 million. These are split into two sectors, with 41 stands in the equestrian section and 87 in the country estate. Regardless of position, each stand offers breathtaking views and the signature infrastructure that has become synonymous with Century Property Developments, the developers behind this estate. Upon transfer, homeowners are given the opportunity to choose their own architect and builder to construct their dream home, or can select from a list of preferred builders and architects, who have proven their competency in terms of the developers’ uniquely South African guidelines.

Homeowners can now enjoy several scenic walking and cycling paths as well as some of the most magnificent fauna and flora in the area, with ample greenbelts, natural dams and established indigenous trees attracting a wealth of birdlife. There are also lovely, well-designed children’s playing areas, tennis courts, and plenty of space for equestrian pursuits and corresponding areas for the upkeep and housing of horses.

The estate and its abundant facilities are conducive to a safe, wholesome, family-friendly lifestyle, and stringent yet nonintrusive security measures have been implemented to ensure the safety of all residents and their guests.

Blue Hills will also be situated in a new urban hub that includes an upmarket convenience shopping centre and several business parks that will be launched later in the year, and will all be located near the entrance to the development. Families can also benefit from the on-site Reddford House private school. Having opened within Blue Hills Country and Equestrian Estate in January 2015 with a 70% occupancy rate, the new Reddford House private school is a collaborative initiative by Century Property Developments, Graeme Crawford of Crawford College, and the successful Reddam House private school situated in the nearby Waterfall Estate.

One of the main attractions for possible buyers from the city is convenience, and residents can look forward to a unique dualism between country living and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Accessibility is an important aspect at Blue Hills Country and Equestrian Estate, and as a result, homeowners will now be able to benefit from access to an upgraded R55 double carriageway that services the area.

The detailed design for the upgrade and the environmental impact assessment for the project have already been completed and the construction tender already awarded. It is anticipated that the upgrade will see 5km worth of the road (from the T-junction with Main Road to the south part that joins Summit/Olifantsfontein Road to the north) upgraded to a four-lane road. In addition, there will be multiple entrances and a proposed Gautrain station within 1km of the estate.

The fact that more than 75% of the stands are already sold is testament to the fact that shrewd investors have quickly recognised the unique opportunity to acquire a large country property that offers exceptional value for money.

The developers have drawn several parallels between Blue Hills Country and Equestrian Estate and Waterfall Country Estate, situated in the Woodmead area, and are confident in the success of this new development. At Waterfall, an 8 000m² property that sold for R 2.8 million in 2010 is now valued at more than R 10.9 million, and completed houses on the estate have increased in value over the last seven years from R 22 million to a staggering R 160 million.

Century Property Developments envision Blue Hills being another prime example of how one can grow one’s property portfolio substantially by making a savvy investment with an appreciation comparable to the dramatic increase at Waterfall.