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The explosion of property developments, together with inner city regeneration in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, has afforded buyers in every finance bracket an unprecedented variety of modern homes or apartments to buy.
It has also driven prices down as the market supply increases, especially in Cape Town where nearly 35 new developments are near completion in the City Bowl alone. ‘We’ve noticed a significant shift occur from around October 2017 that saw landlords facing vacancies for the first time in years,’ comments Grant Rea, residential sales and letting specialist at Remax Cape Town.
Similarly, Johannesburg’s northern suburbs have seen billions of rand in new developments over the past few years, especially in the Midrand area.
‘There is a wide choice of properties overall, from apartments at prices from around R550,000 to R5 million, through cluster and freestanding homes at prices from around R2 million to R6 million, to estate homes at prices from around R2.5 million to R8 million in Cedar Lakes and Fourways Gardens, and luxury options in Dainfern and Steyn City,’ says Brian Falconer, coowner of the local Chas Everitt International franchise.
State-of-the-art security defines all these developments, and fibre-driven WiFi is a given. Here a is a pick of some of the top selling new developments, within different price ranges, in the  different provinces.
GAUTENG
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The Blyde Riverwalk in Pretoria, developed by Balwin, is awaterlover’s paradise, a one-of-a-kind development that incorporates a constructed lagoon for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing. Along with the on-site lifestyle centre it has a number of facilities, such as a Camelot spa, car wash, children’s play area, swimming pool, mini sports field, concierge service, free WiFi and a cinema and games room. The Blyde also offers all the stunning finishes for which Balwin is renowned. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, which come equipped with SMEG appliances and pre-paid utilities, are priced from R700,000 to R1.694 million.
The new Capital on the Park is a mixed-use business-cum-residential resort in the heart of Sandton on Katherine Street that is breaking the mold of city accommodation and blending residential apartments with adaptable hotel suites, apartments, and penthouses. It consists of 175 standard rooms, five studio apartments, and 125 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Each unit is fully equipped with a Bosch or SMEG stove, oven, and extractor as well as top-end sanitaryware by either Grohe or Geberit. A one-bedroom unit starts at R2 million, and a standard two-bedroom unit is R3 million upwards.
‘Capital on the Park responds directly to the needs and expectations of today’s modern business travellers who are looking for business and entertainment options all under one roof,’ says Marc Wachsberger, MD of The Capital Hotels and Apartments.
On the East Rand near Kempton Park is another hive of activity with the launch of The Signature Residences, a new cluster village at Serengeti Estate, with units starting at R3.69 million. It comprises 154 sectional title homes overlooking the magnificent golf course’s first, second and tenth holes.
‘The homes will be equipped with SMEG appliances, Hansgrohe taps, Caesarstone counter tops, LED downlights, a selection of floor finishes to suit the individual homeowner’s personal preference, and an exquisite freestanding bath in the main bathroom,’ says John Hart, property director.
Home owners will also be able to select from a menu of optional extras, including air conditioning, underfloor heating, double glazing and a Marbelite swimming pool. Residents will be able to enjoy Serengeti’s amenities, including the golf course, extensive walking and running trails, and the clubhouse.
In the very top bracket is The Houghton in Houghton Estate – luxury apartments with magnificent views over the city from every direction and top-notch amenities, including the magnificent Jack Nicklaus golf course, the future on-site hotel club facilities, a spa, gym, restaurants, and bars, and hair salon. The Houghton offers two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouse units, all with integrated Siemens appliances. Prices start at around R8.45 million.
WESTERN CAPE
The Quarter, a new residential opportunity in a cobbled De Waterkant side street, will be five floors of glass-fronted apartments and penthouses, most of which will feature spacious terraces. Every apartment will have floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and windows, and boast top-end finishes. Prices are between R3.1 million and R13 million.
One of the most exciting developments in Cape Town is Romney Park, a former fivestar hotel on the lower slopes of Signal Hill in Green Point, which is being refurbished and transformed into 26 luxury apartments.
The ‘contemporary-colonial’ exterior of the building will be largely untouched, while the interiors will be modernised and will come with a wide range of services and facilities, including a pool and lounging deck.
One-bedroom apartments at Romney Park start at R3.1 million, two bedrooms at R5.8 million and spacious three bedrooms at R7.2 million, while the deluxe apartments, all with sizeable private gardens or balconies, start at R16 million.
In Hout Bay, meanwhile, is Applegarth Estate, an exclusive sunny, north-facing boutique estate that features 30 contemporary homes on three hectares, arranged around a lush greenbelt, and up onto the ridge, offering uninterrupted views across the valley. Top-end finishes are used throughout, and the house designs place emphasis on space, natural light, and a connection with the indigenous landscaped gardens outside. Prices are from R2.2 million for a plot and plan, and R5.65 million for a built unit.
Of course, the most affluent properties are the contemporary complexes along the Atlantic Seaboard area, with apartment complexes like Clifton Terraces and Amalfi costing between R40 million and R80 million.
KWAZULU-NATAL
Birdhaven Estate is a boutique estate in the heart of Sheffield Beach near Ballito. It has eight plots left for sale, all north facing, and each with its own unique attributes. Some have sea views, and others look out onto the surrounding forest. In order to maximise the views from all the homes, plots will be sold with a housing footprint that will identify where houses may be built on each property. The entire estate will be surrounded by an electric security fence, and there will be an attractive entrance feature with a permanently staffed gatehouse and boom system. Plots are selling from R1.4 million.
Barbets Crest is located adjacent to Simbithi and Mt Richmore Estates in Salt Rock on a crest of coastal terrain that was once home to the much-loved Driefontein Nursery. Views include rolling hills and the ocean, and it is flanked by a stretch of coastal bush on one boundary. Phase one includes 14 freestanding homes and buyers have a choice of four floor plans with three- or four-bedroom designs in both single or double-storey freestanding cluster homes. The estate is pet-friendly and includes a clubhouse and swimming pool with bird viewing deck. Prices start at R3.425 million.
Further south is Oceans Umhlanga. This mixed-use development, which is still under construction, will feature two imposing towers consisting of 444 elegantly designed apartments and penthouses. The third tower is home to a Radisson Blu hotel and executive apartments, all boasting panoramic views. The spacious interiors feature sleek lines, sanitaryware from Hansgrohe and Duravit, and kitchens fitted with Hansgrohe taps and Miele hob, air filter and built-in oven.
Residents will have access to a 25-metre lap pool, family pool, children’s play area, yoga enclave, Zen gardens, club lounge, concierge services, and a direct link to the adjoining shopping mall. Apartments range from R2.5 million to R50 million.
Finally, set within KZN’s highly acclaimed Sibaya Coastal Precinct near Umdloti is the new Gold Coast Estate, which will feature 202 freestanding homes and 105 executive beach pad apartments in four separate ‘villages’. Each home will be fitted with SMEG appliances and Hansgrohe sanitaryware. Full home automation will allow the owner to remotely control all home security, energy use within the home and temperature control, with the option of including control of lighting, curtains and appliances. Prices here are upwards of R5.5 million.
MPUMALANGA
The Elawini Luxury Residential Estate, a picturesque 84-hectare security estate located just outside Mbombela (previously Nelspruit) on the way to White River, recently released 16 vacant stands selling from as low as R400,000, while houses here start from R1.4 million. Elawini is in an extensive greenbelt with prolific birdlife. It has a clubhouse, swimming pool and gym, and its building contractors offer turnkey as well as fully completed sectional title and full title houses. All services – including water, electricity, sewer and roads – are fully installed on the plots. The developers plan to launch phase two towards the end of 2018.
Bikki Wes is the new extension of the highly successful Oppikoppi Estate, situated between the R40 and Hermansburg Road near Mbombela, and is one of the most popular choices for convenient Lowveld living. There are 235 stands, ranging in size from 425 to 1,000 square metres, and building packages start from R2.4 million.
You can choose from over 13 approved architectural three- and four-bedroom plans, either double or single storey with double garages and the option of a pool. Each home is completed with a choice of engineered counter tops and stainless steel oven and gas hob with matching microwave. Bikki Wes is conveniently situated close to local schools, Westend shopping centre and a private hospital.
After a major upgrade the award-winning The Rest Nature Estate has released the remaining serviced stands onto the market in various sizes to satisfy all requirements. You can choose from a wide selection of individually sized stands so that you can design your own home to your own needs – but obviously in accordance with the estate’s architectural guidelines. In addition, a number of completed resale houses are for sale, along with completed villas on smaller stands priced from R1.9 to R3 million, for people who would rather not go through the building process.
FREE STATE
Crestone Hills is one of the more recent complex developments in Lilyvale, one of Bloemfontein’s most desirable suburbs. The three-bed units have double garages, a well-designed built-in braai and garden area, and an open-plan island kitchen and living space. There is also a communal play area for children, and extra parking space for visitors. Prices start at around R1.44 million.
Wild Olive Estate in Bloemfontein, next to Pentagon Park, offers exceptional style, natural views and city convenience with a country feel. A private school is planned to complement all the existing features and amenities. Vacant plots start at around R650,000, and homes from around R1.4 million.
