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Its vision is extraordinarily long term, born of billionaire Douw Steyn’s desire to create a beautiful, rather than a view to investing in a development.
Steyn City, the enormous estate sandwiched between Dainfern and Diepsloot near Midrand, stands out among estates around it because its vision is extraordinarily long term, born of billionaire Douw Steyn’s desire to create a beautiful ‘city’ rather than with a view to investing in a development that promises good return on investment.
The most visual elements of this vision are the huge public art works that are dotted around the estate, including a ‘Lady Bench’, featuring an enormous hand and a woman seated, a circle of figures titled ‘Ubuntu’, a life-size elephant and life-size rhinos, a towering totem topped by twin masks, wooden horses and beautiful wall mosaics.
“The artworks are part of Douw Steyn’s dream of building this city, and he has invested millions in it, bringing money in from abroad to make it happen. So our mandate, first and foremost, is to realise this dream, as opposed to developing an estate according to a business plan and profit projections,” says Steyn City’s CEO Giseppe Plumari.
The most impressive investment by Steyn City, however, is its contribution of R 1 billion towards upgrading a section of William Nicol Drive, which will enable Steyn City – as well as its surrounding developments, including Dainfern adjoining it – to become the thriving commercial-residential hub it is destined to be, with easy access via William Nicol Drive to the N14 highway and direct access to Midrand.
“The main reason we are in this location is that this is the fastest-growing node in South Africa. It is where the two main cities (Johannesburg and Pretoria) join, and if it weren’t for the political setbacks, the Fourways area would be much bigger today. A huge number of people drive from Pretoria to Johannesburg each day – you just need to look at the traffic on the M1 – and we’ve always known that this is the midpoint where Gauteng’s city centre would ultimately be. Thus William Nicol is critical to giving access to the area, so we went into a public-private partnership with Joburg Council to upgrade it,” says Plumari.
750 apartments and a retail hub that will include a Woolworths, coffee shops, a butchery, deli and hair salon, etc., similar but on a smaller scale to Melrose Arch.
Another feature that sets Steyn City apart is its ‘city centre’, including 750 apartments and a retail hub that will include a Woolworths, coffee shops, a butchery, deli and hair salon, etc., similar (but on a smaller scale) to Melrose Arch in Illovo. “Depending on the success of this, and as the numbers grow, we may bring in other elements, like fashion brands,” says Plumari.
As a multi-generational estate, all ages have been embraced in the Steyn City development, so the apartments and shops will be wheelchair-friendly. Children have the option to be schooled at Steyn City School, a world-class independent educational facility, and there are several play and recreational nodes on the estate, including a skate park for teens.
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Aside from the expansive clubhouse, with its eateries, every manner of sport is catered for on the estate, from golf, squash and tennis to horse-riding, thanks to its world-class Equestrian Centre.
“We investigated the possibility of a clinic at Steyn City, but it was not viable, so we are looking at something like a Medicross facility, with GPs and a dentist, physiotherapist, etc.,” says Plumari.
World-class security is another strong drawcard at Steyn City, which has outsourced this service to specialists. “Our fibre connectivity is also being implemented by specialists, along with management of the clubhouse. It doesn’t make sense for the estate to oversee these jobs internally, as you need to maintain a consistent, global standard, especially in the technology space,” says Plumari.
Steyn City is striving to create a community that enjoys a ‘social fabric’
Services aside, Steyn City is striving to create a community that enjoys a ‘social fabric’ that once defined a different era in Johannesburg, but has been lost due to crime and traffic. “The traffic is terrible, and people don’t walk out of their front gates – they drive. At Steyn City, it’s a short run from one place to another. It’s a much more social environment, with a sense of belonging, where you get to meet your neighbours,” says Plumari.
Striking scenery and landscaping define the Steyn City experience, with walkways, greenery and flowing water throughout its 2 000 hectares, including the Jukskei River, a number of dams and water features.
Still, the completion of Steyn City is a good 15 to 20 years away, Plumari says, and by then it will look quite different to what it does today, with a grown forest of planted trees on it. There will also be a lot more artworks by then, larger-than-life sculptures that will continue to impress generations of residents to come. It will be the ultimate manifestation of a grand legacy that started with a vision, that entailed countless challenges along the way but, if it goes according to plan, will have been well worth it for all concerned.
For property sales enquiries contact:
Jaimé-Lee Gardner | 072 171 1979
