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Steyn City’s Ultimate Helistop was recently hailed as a first for residential developments in South Africa. Introduced to the market in 2015, the 900-hectare luxury private estate is located close to Lanseria in Joburg, and the largest in the country in terms of land size.
Years in the making
A businesstech.co.za report in October 2019 announced that Steyn City launched the next phase of its development vision, introducing ‘old-town’ luxury apartments, a clear water beach lagoon, and a ‘heliport’.
At the time, these additions formed part of a further R5.5-billion investment into the next phase of the development, including an ‘entirely pedestrianised’ city centre with luxury residential apartments, basement parking and a network of sub-basement service tunnels for refuse.
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The Ultimate Helistop is said to take existing amenities one step further, with room to store helicopters and the capacity to schedule flights.
Top 10 in the world
Steyn City homes range from luxury apartments and cluster homes to freehold houses. Facilities include an 18-hole Nicklaus design golf course and clubhouse, equestrian and indoor aquatic centres, a gym and outdoor workout areas, resort pools, a flood-lit 45km promenade for walking and running 24/7, and a 50km mountain bike trail.
Children are catered for with a Skate and Dino Park and several play nodes, while an on-site campus (Grades 000-12) and AAA-grade commercial node at Capital Park negate the need for daily commutes.
Steyn City’s 2,000-acre indigenous planted parkland in its secure setting is a marvellous space for families and friends to meet and explore nature. This blend of convenience and luxury gained a Top Residential Estate in Gauteng ranking in 2019 and this year, Steyn City was listed among the globe’s Top 10 estates by New World Wealth.
Dream come true
The Steyn City Ultimate Helistop represents the culmination of a dream for developers Douw Steyn and Giuseppe Plumari, CEO of Steyn City Properties, who says it was ‘always part of our master plan’.
‘When Douw and I just started imagining what it would take to really distinguish Steyn City, we considered the facilities we should make available to residents. We agreed that a helistop would be an excellent addition.’
Partners in flight
Plumari explains that Ultimate Heli was the obvious choice as partner for this facility, due to its experience and reputation as helicopter and heliport operator.
Ultimate Heli CEO Shaun Roseveare says: ‘It will give Steyn City residents the convenience of helicopter services – shuttling to Sandton CBD, airport transfers, scenic flights, and direct transfers to other towns and lodges.’
The project is approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, ensuring full compliance with local requirements. However, maintenance of the craft takes place off site.
Seven-star facility
The Ultimate Helistop differs from conventional helipads at other developments, luxury golf or bush destinations, for several reasons.
Plumari explains: ‘While those function simply as launching or landing pad, the Steyn City Ultimate Helistop has a Final Approach and Take-Off (FATO) area, as well as three independent helicopter parking pads. This seven-star facility boasts a full array of services.’
The building includes a reception area, lounge and viewing area with a coffee station and the latest reads. There is an upstairs office suite and private meeting pod for guests to host a meeting on arrival or prior to departure, as well as washroom facilities to freshen up before your flight.
Dock right here
Added to this, the Ultimate Helistop can store several helicopters in its sizeable (650m²) hangar. Its parking bay configuration allows loading of three helicopters at a time, ensuring that there is no delay between taxi or take-off, even if more than one flight has been scheduled.
All services provided by Ultimate Heli are available to non-residents, who can schedule or charter a flight during weekend getaways. Flights can also be organised for time pressed businesspeople who need to conduct regular site visits, or simply to mark a special occasion.
Steyn City Properties marketing head Zoe van Onselen says they continue to market this facility for both business and leisure travel.
‘We’ve had a good uptake for leisure travel among our residents and outside guests who book flights for weekend getaways, restaurant destinations, and special occasion celebrations.’
