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Elevated proudly along the tree line, with Signal Hill as a backdrop and on the boundary between Fresnaye and Sea Point.
Despite an ongoing drought, Cape Town continues to enjoy global appeal. The city has been voted one of the best in the world five times in a row by the UK Telegraph, and in 2016 Cape Town International Airport reported a 6.6% increase in traffic and a more than 20% increase in international arrivals.
The region’s agricultural sector provides half of the country’s exports, with total trade flow reaching R 330 billion in 2016. More than 300 foreign direct investments were in the Mother City in 2016/2017, representing a total capital investment of R 87 billion, and it is anticipated that R 16 billion will be spent on 63 property developments in the City Bowl district alone from now until 2019.
It is amid this bulging success that one of the country’s leading property developers, Berman Brothers, have chosen to create their latest vision, The Estate. Headed by brothers Paul and Saul Berman, the company was formed back in 1994, and has completed spectacular developments across the city, such as The Romney Park Hotel and Spa in Green Point, The Herschel in Claremont, and The District in Woodstock. Paul is an ex-lawyer, while Saul comes from a trades background and is aware that South Africa simply does not have surplus skills, historically passed down from generation to generation, in many important fields.
The duo is most famed for their ability to truly understand the property market and for grasping the potential of Cape Town and its Atlantic Seaboard way before anyone else. With over two decades of experience under their belts, their latest venture is, by far, their most luxurious and sophisticated residential development to date.
“The Atlantic seaboard is very sought after and in very high demand. There is nothing of this magnitude.” comments Paul Berman.
Elevated proudly along the tree line, with Signal Hill as a backdrop and on the boundary between Fresnaye and Sea Point, The Estate on St John’s Road in Sea Point has remarkable panoramas of the Atlantic Seaboard and boasts easy access to the city, Sea Point Promenade and Cape Town’s most popular beaches.
The property has been in the making for six years, and the Atlantic Seaboard was specifically chosen for its resale value. Property sales up until July 2017 show that R 1.2 billion was registered in the deeds office, averaging R 12.7 million per property. Five years ago, property here would not have exceeded R 100 000 per square metre, yet today land value is fetching between R 150 000 and R 200 000 per square metre.
One of the ways The Estate distinguishes itself from other developments is through its quality finishes and unique construction. Despite their experience, the Berman brothers have never completed an entire project by themselves. Instead, they manage the project from its excavation and enlist the help of external contractors, who complete the superstructure and the building process. By giving each contractor a specific task, they are able to deliver the highest quality finishes while simultaneously creating the best structure possible.
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The brothers designed The Estate from the ground up with the visionary skill that they have become renowned for. Consisting of two separate blocks linked by a communal reception space, there are two top-floor penthouses and a further 17 two- and three-bedroom apartments, all made with comfort and convenience in mind.
There is parking, storage units, as well as high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the property, with fibre connectivity producing internet at speeds starting at 200 Mb per second. Those wanting to entertain can do so in the elegant lobby and reception area, with its dramatic staircase that leads up to a luxurious lounge, entertainment area, an infinity pool with panoramic sea views as well as an outdoor bar area.
Paul and Saul continue to strive for perfection, and this is blatantly obvious with absolutely no compromise on cost or quality. Before they could begin, nearly 100 000 tons of rock had to be removed from the mountain (a two-year process) but the brothers would not have it any other way.
Each apartment incorporates every modern convenience conceivable, and the latest technology in smart home automation and connectivity.
Lutron, a world leading Intelligent Lighting Control System, has been integrated into each apartment, allowing homeowners to control the lighting via dedicated in-wall keypads, as well as remotely via any iOS or Android mobile device.
In other areas, the developers chose to build irreplaceable products that embody innovative best practices, such as horizontal boreholes as opposed to vertical ones, herb gardens in the kitchen, and extractor fans that do not hover but rise out of the kitchen island.
The Estate is run on a lock-down, shut-down model, similar to a bank, and security is state of the art. Each of the lavish apartments is equipped with keypad access control as well as electric three-lever locks on every access door. Biometric access control, high-definition CCTV cameras and a securely monitored perimeter ensure safety for all, and the comprehensive PBX intercom system allows instant contact to the 24-hour concierge team.
The lock-down nature of the development also means that it can operate entirely off the grid, without electricity for a week, thanks to full capacity generators.
Despite its extravagance, this is an ideal home for a family and not just for astute investors. A blend of affluent, high net worth locals and international investors is being targeted, but the emphasis is being placed on local South Africans, who want the best that money can buy, in the country they call home.
The Estate is extraordinary! It has no equal and is, by far, the finest development on the Atlantic Seaboard, if not Africa – a visual piece of art, built for the family of now, but with the future in mind. For a city development, it boasts more than enough space, and those lucky enough to call this home have the opportunity to live in a privileged bubble.
For any sales enquiries, contact@estate-living.co.za
