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Cape Town is South Africa’s most scenic city, and the South Peninsula is arguably the most scenic part of the city, so it’s not surprising that savvy people have – for ages – put up with the long commute in order to live in this little slice of paradise.
The South Peninsula is qualitatively different to the rest of Cape Town. Affectionately and/or derogatively known as ‘the Lentil Belt’, the South has always had a reputation for being different – a place where hippy vegetarians hang out making guitars, throwing pots, painting or writing novels, and home schooling their free-range, barefooted, dreadlocked children. Well, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but there is a certain sense of freedom here – and a definite move towards a holistic style of family life. Many residents cyber-commute, fitting their working day around the tides or the surf (honestly), and – yes – many children do not bother to wear shoes as they jog to the beach in their wetsuits with a surfboard clutched under one arm, or as they skateboard to the shops.
While commuting from here is still a tad stressful, it’s getting better. The Clovelly roadworks are finally finished, and the Ou Kaapse Weg and Kommetjie roadworks are due for completion before the end of the year. So now is a good time to invest – particularly if you are only likely to take transfer after the road is completed. In the meantime, let’s take a tour.
As you descend Ou Kaapse Weg from the Constantia side, you will see Noordhoek, Fish Hoek and Kommetjie spread out in front of you. On your left is Chapman’s Bay, and way across the valley on the opposite hillside is Stonehaven.
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Chapman’s Bay Estate
Situated on the southern slopes of Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman’s Bay Estate has enviable views over the Fish Hoek Valley and the Atlantic Ocean. Measuring 45 hectares, and with only 145 homes, the estate is designed to incorporate fynbos and wetland, creating spacious corridors of natural vegetation, and allowing birds, leopard toads and other creatures to thrive. Stands are about 700 square metres, with prices ranging from R1 million to about R2.5 million. There are only a few stands left, and – if you’re not into doing the whole building thing – there are three spec houses being sold by the developer at around the R5.15 million mark. Levies are R2,650 per month at present. chapmansbay.co.za
You’ll have to negotiate the roadworks past the Long Beach Mall – loads of shopping and a Virgin Active – and then turn right into Kommetjie Road, which is also somewhat fraught with roadworks at the moment. And soon, on the left, you will see the brand-new fire station, which is almost complete, and right next door Willow Wood Village.
Willow Wood Village
With a two-bedroom unit selling for R995,000, this relatively small estate of – ultimately – 104 townhouses on Kommetjie Road is ideal for first-time buyers. Phase 1, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019, will have 54 homes, and Phase 2, which is due for completion by the end of 2020, will have a further 50. Offering the security of a fenced and gated estate with controlled access, and lifestyle features like a pool, and open communal space, Willow Wood Village offers security and lifestyle at an unprecedented price. An R5,000 deposit secures the unit, first-time buyers can get 100% bonds, and qualifying buyers can get FLISP subsidies. Contact Christopher on 083 448 4858.
Continue down Kommetjie Road, and, just before you get to the village, you will find – in quick succession – on your right Imhoff’s Gift, The Aviary and Bluewater Estate, and on your left, on the mountainside, Kommetjie Vineyards. There are about five existing schools within a short distance here, and a few more are planned. (It’s worth stopping for coffee, lunch or just browsing at either Harry Goemans Garden Centre, Peach Pip Farm Stall or the fabulous rural Imhoff Farm complex).
Imhoff’s Gift
On the banks of the bird-rich Wildevoelvlei, and overlooking the Atlantic, this secure, scenic estate is one of the more established in the area. Close to the gorgeous Imhoff Farm Village, a slew of beaches, existing and planned schools, and a short drive from Long Beach Mall, Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek, it’s well positioned – but with that South Peninsular ‘far-out’ feel. The 150 units have long been sold, but resales come up quite often with prices from about R2.5 million to R6.5 million. A huge advantage here is the surprisingly low levies of R590 per month – all as a result of residents ‘mucking in’ and doing what they can rather than outsourcing. villagehomes.co.za
The Aviary
Nestled in Atlantic Road, between Imhoff’s Gift and Bluewater Estate and with lovely views over Wildevoelvlei, The Aviary is a tiny development of seven homes, all of which are still available. All the civils are in and, at present, each house sells for about R2 million – but in two phases. Once you’ve bought the plot for about R500,000, you may need to wait for a few more sales before the developer will start building. This has slowed down sales, so there is a good chance that the business model may change.
Bluewater Estate
Newer than neighbouring Imhoff’s Gift, this estate borders on the popular Imhoff Farm with some erven overlooking the horse paddocks. It’s almost sold out but there are a few plots left at prices ranging from R850,000 to R1.7 million, and resale houses are priced between R2.9 million and R6.5 million. Levies are R1,200 per month. bluewaterestate.co.za
Kommetjie Vineyards
Just across the road from Imhoff’s Gift is Kommetjie Vineyards, which should be ready to welcome its first residents in 2020. Consisting of 252 single residential erven of about 800 square metres, the estate will be a working wine farm with wine tasting and a restaurant in the planned Emporium retail element. Bordering on the Table Mountain National Park, the estate will have MTB and walking trails, and will have direct access to the mountain.
Stands are priced at between R1 million and R2 million, all north-facing with sea views. There is no building time limit, but, once building has commenced, it must be completed in two years. The design guidelines are flexible, allowing owners to design their own homes using the designated architects, Dennis Moss, or they can appoint their own architects as long as the design is approved. While the plots are technically for a single residence, buyers may build two townhouses. Levies will be about R1,400.
Continue a bit further, past the Generation School, and turn right into Wireless Road – the name is a reminder of the time when virtually this whole area was an observation post in the Second World War – to Klein Slangkop Estate.
Klein Slangkop Estate
There are only about 10 plots left at this prestigious private estate. Close to the beach with many units enjoying spectacular sea views, this eco estate is designed to appeal to nature lovers, surfers, poets and dreamers. Plots start at about R3 million, and houses from about R7.5 million. Levies are R2,000 per month. kleinslangkopestate.co.za
Klein Slangkop Estate: This unique residential site juts into the Atlantic Ocean with uninterrupted views in the North-West overlooking Hout Bay, Chapman’s Peak and Noordhoek Beach. In the South one can enjoy the splendour of Slangkop and Kommetjie Beach. The Southern Right Whales visit the shore annually and during September until late November, they are often seen breaching and tailing. If you listen carefully they are frequently heard late into the night. Early in the morning you may be fortunate enough to see otters playing on the beach or swimming in the sea and on occasion visiting the Estate. Porcupines regularly visit our gardens while lynx, deer and tortoise may be seen roaming the reserve. In Klein Slangkop you will enjoy a sense of tranquillity and space in this pristine seaside environment. It has the feel of being on a permanent holiday.
All planting is strictly indigenous which protects the natural habitat of the many birds, creatures and animal home to this area. Since it is not a security estate as such, the levies are only R1,980 per month, which pays towards the upkeep of the open areas, the 24 hour gated access control and the guards who patrol the estate on bicycles. There are 107 stands in the Estate in total of which some have not yet been developed, prices ranging from R6.3m to R10+m for homes and plots range from R3m to R5m, with a significant amount of green/open spaces still left in various nodes to preserve the rural feeling. All residents are part of a Home Owners’ Association and there are various building guidelines and estate rules that need to be accepted and adhered to, once again preserving the ethos of the estate and the protection of the wildlife in and around the area.
Return to Kommetjie Road and, rather than retracing your steps, take the scenic route via Kommetjie. Take a stroll along the boardwalk to the lighthouse, and stop in Scarborough for coffee. If you have time, take the long route around Cape Point, visit the penguins at Boulders, and explore Simon’s Town. Otherwise take a short cut over Red Hill. From Red Hill, turn left towards Fish Hoek, and you will find Harbour Bay – a good place to stop for lunch or coffee – on your left, and False Bay on your right.
Harbour Bay Village
The Harbour Bay Precinct in Simon’s Town consists of Harbour Bay, a block of 44 luxury apartments and two penthouses, the 210-unit Harbour Bay Village lifestyle estate for over-50s, a 4,000-square-metre private day hospital and a retail centre with Woolworths, Clicks, Pick n Pay and a good selection of coffee shops and restaurants. If you’re interested in buying an apartment at Harbour Bay, unfortunately you’ve missed the boat – to pun in on the nautical theme of the precinct – but there are still units at Harbour Bay Village, and you don’t have to be 50 to buy there, just to live there. It’s a sectional title development so it makes a good investment, and you can rent it out while you wait for your hair to turn the right shade of grey. The apartments will be completed and handed over in August, the day hospital by the end of the year, and Harbour Bay Village Phase 1 will be completed in 2021, and Phase 2 in 2023. (So you have time to work on that grey hair.) harbourbayvillage.co.za
Continue towards Fish Hoek, turn left to go over the Glencairn Expressway and, as you come over the hill, Stonehaven will be on your right, the Atlantic in front of you, and Chapman’s Bay across the valley on the opposite hill. You’ve come full circle. Rather than head straight home, turn right at the robot, walk on Fish Hoek Beach, spend ages exploring the funky little seaside suburb of Kalk Bay, take a dip in a tidal pool, and perhaps stroll along the lovely ocean’s edge walkway towards Muizenberg.
Stonehaven
Fantastically positioned on a north-facing slope with views of the Atlantic, Stonehaven Estate consists of 127 erven on 14 hectares. As well as extensive belts of fynbos and wetland, there is a vineyard and olive grove, and the estate borders the Table Mountain National Park on Elsie’s Peak. stonehavenestate.co.za
