9 771811 700007 11006 Property decor, trends, luxury, design & real estate JUNE/JULY 2011 Winner of 10 publishing awards Est. 2004, Issue 222 KWAZULU-NATAL RSA R34.95 (incl. VAT) Other countries R21.90 (excl. Tax) Rob Roy Retirement Lifestyle Village, +27 (0)31 777 6218, robroylifestylevillages.co.za RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market is looking up for homebuyers and property investors THE NEIGHBOURHOOD HILLCREST AND BEYOND TRENDWATCH KIT OUT YOUR HOME OFFICE HIGH-TECH DINNER AT PLUM Maximise your retirement lifestyle ROB ROY RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE VILLAGE OUR TRENDS ISSUE: WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE DIFFERENT ZONES OF OUR IDEAL HOME
Transcript
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Propertydecor, trends, luxury, design & real estateJUNE/JULY 2011 Winner of 10 publishing awards
Est. 2004, Issue 222
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RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market is looking up for homebuyers and property investors
THE NEIGHBOURHOODHILLCREST AND BEYOND
TRENDWATCHKIT OUT YOUR HOME OFFICE
HIGH-TECH DINNER AT
PLUM
Maximise your retirement lifestyleMaximise your retirement lifestyle
ROB ROY RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE VILLAGE
OUR TRENDS ISSUE: WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE DIFFERENT ZONES OF OURIDEAL HOME
June/July 2011 | 1
DECOR
8 HOT SPACEGet away to the Charles Smythe Cottage on
Gowrie Farm Estate.
24 SWATCH OUTExperts in fabrics, paints and furniture tell you
how you can add some colour to your life.
TRENDS
10 HOT PLATEItalian heritage at Stretta Cucina in Hillcrest,
and we talk to Florent Hameau, head chef at
Cassia Restaurant at Nitída Wine Farm, about
what’s cooking this winter.
.
11 HOT SHOPShiny trinkets, fashion, tequila and a spicy read
to keep you warm when the mercury drops.
19 HILLCREST AND BEYONDThe village is booming, but pockets of
countryside can still be found … If you know
where to look.
31 IN THE ZONEWe take you on a tour of the different zones in
our ideal, on-trend home.
45 PRIVATE COLLECTIONSThe Private Property team shows us the way
of the future during a Property Dinner at Plum
Restaurant at Hotel on the Park.
LUXURY
13 DOWNTIMEOrdinary and extraordinary come together to
create both living space and playground.
44 SOCIETYOut and about with KZN’s movers and shakers.
DESIGN
56 HOME WORKTrendy yet functional home offi ce furniture.
REAL ESTATE
49 WHY THINGS ARE LOOKING UPPeter Gilmour, chairman of RE/MAX of
Southern Africa, on why you should feel
confi dent about buying real estate in SA.
50 RESIDENTIALThe North Coast’s best-kept secret, and the
City’s plans for a bold refurbishment of Bulwer
Park in Glenwood.
51 COMMERCIALDube TradePort’s hot potential, Africa’s own
World Trade Centre, and an innovative public
precinct management project in Durban’s CBD.
52 OFFSHOREChalets on the Austrian Alps, Malawi’s mall
mania, and a revamped colonial gem on
Lamu Island.
ON THE COVERRob Roy Lifestyle Retirement Village. Turn to
Australian born designer marc newson’s aesthetic vision and uncompromising originality have won him international acclaim. objects designed by Newson, as well as being perfectly engineered mechanisms, created with meticulous attention to detail, appear to provoke physical reactions, making you want to look, to touch. His talent is not restricted by materials, he knows how to develop any design with simple genius: from the Lockheed Lounge, the extraordinary aluminum chaise longue, an iconic piece in the history of design, to the spaceplane for EADS astrium or to the complete interiors for Qantas airway’s A380 ‘superjumbo’ Fleet. With Smeg, Newson experiments, for the First time, with the design of domestic appliances and demonstrates, once again, that his unmistakable creations are capable of speaking to everybody and that there is no object that his talent cannot shape.
Smeg believe that objects of daily-use should not only Fill an environment; they should create an atmosphere. This is why technology and functionality are deeply connected to style and aesthetics. This sensitivity, which has inspired the collaboration with great architects and designers of our time, is the perfect expression of Made in Italy which combines art and industrial expertise in everyday objects. Soft lines, maximum functional intuitiveness, elegant surfaces in stainless steel or glass and colours: these are the distinctive elements of the new aesthetic line designed by Marc Newson. Because the house is a place to live, not to pass through.
Property
SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2011: Winner – Best Property Publication Nedbank Property Association Awards 2010: Winner – Mover & Shaker Award (Tony Vaughan) PICA Awards 2009: Winner – Special Award, Overall Publishing Excellence PICA Awards 2008: Winner – Consumer Magazines, Largely Free Distribution, and Highly Commended: Editorial Excellence, Public Interest Writer of the Year (Ed Suter) 20th SAB Environmentalist of the Year & Environmental Journalists of the Year Awards 2008: Winner – Merit Award, Print & Internet SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2008: Winner – Best Property Publication, and Special Mention – Property Feature Journalist (Ed Suter) PICA Awards 2007: B2B – Publishing Excellence, Leisure Mondi Magazine Awards 2005: Winner – Foresight SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: Winner – Philip Tyler Trophy for Innovation in Magazine Publishing Brandhouse Media Owners Challenge Awards 2005:Winner – Innovation in Publishing SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: B2B – Highly Commended Mondi
Magazine Awards 2004: Industry – Finalist Launch Edition: April 2004
WESTERN CAPE 3rd Floor, 33 Bree Street, Cape Town 8001 PO Box 50601, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8002; Phone 0861 765 833 Fax +27 (0)21 421 7891
Published monthly in three regional issues: Western Cape, Gauteng and Kwazulu-NatalCurrent ABC Audited Circulation (Q1 2011, January–March):
Western Cape – 31 482, Gauteng – 32 275, KwaZulu-Natal – 19 906, Total Nationally – 83 663Web Stats: over half a million hits (548 668); Property Club Members – 24 884
AMPS Audited National Readership (2011A): 287 815
P. LE GRANGE & SEUNS/SONS
Disclaimer The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services
advertised within this edition. Copyright Media Nova (Pty) Limited. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior
written consent from Media Nova (Pty) Limited. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.
thepropertymag.co.za
medianova.co.za
EDITORIAlEditor Sandy WelchDeputy EditorNicky Manson [email protected] Bureau ChiefJackie GrayKwaZulu-Natal Bureau ChiefAnne Schauffer [email protected] Subeditor Yaron BlecherSubeditorMariola FouchéFeatures WritersGenevieve Fisher, Andrea Firth (Western Cape)André Fiore (KwaZulu-Natal)
ARTArt Director Warren Uytenbogaardt [email protected] DesignerTrudine ScannellSenior RetoucherTim lake
CONTRIBUTORSDave Mullany, Peter Gilmour, Lisa Witepski
PhOTOGRAPhERSVal Adamson, Ruvan Boshoff, Angela Buckland, Sally Chance, Adriaan Louw, Graham Mitchell, Sam Norval, Grant Pitcher, Karl Rogers, Paul Shiakallis, Brenda Veldtman
PUBlIShED BY MEDIA NOVA (PTY) lTDManaging DirectorTony Vaughan [email protected] to Managing DirectorCheréés O’Reilly [email protected] Publisher (Namibia) Mynard Slabbert [email protected] Managerleanne Cox [email protected] Assistant Catherine RileyTechnology CoordinatorJean-Paul SiljeurReceptionistKashiefa JacobsDriverWillem September, Joseph Khoza
ON ThIS MONTh’S COVERSWestern Cape: Desert Star, Namibia. +264 61 401 536, desertstar.na
Gauteng: Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius. leasing: lucille louw, +27 (0)12 471 1600, [email protected]: Rob Roy Retirement Lifestyle Village, Botha’s Hill. +27 (0)31 777 6218, robroylifestylevillages.co.za
PropertyWESTERN CAPE
REUBEN’S AT ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN
RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market is looking up for homebuyers and property investors
THE NEIGHBOURHOODA PLACE CALLED SANDTON
TRENDWATCHKITTING OUT YOUR OFFICE
DESIGNED FOR LIVINGA KZN BEACH COTTAGE
Hollywood meets shared ownershipDESERT STAR!NAMIBIA’S DREAM DEVELOPMENT
OUR TRENDS ISSUE: WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE DIFFERENT ZONES OF OURIDEAL HOME
PropertyGAUTENG
RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market is looking up for homebuyers and property investors
THE NEIGHBOURHOODTHE KZN MIDLANDS
TRENDWATCHKIT OUT YOUR HOME OFFICE
MODERN SANDTON PENTHOUSE – A NEW URBAN LIFESTYLE AMONG THE CLOUDS
Atterbury and ENL developing the island’s fi rst regional shopping mall
BAGATELLEMALL OF MAURITIUS:
OUR TRENDS ISSUE: WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE DIFFERENT ZONES OF OURIDEAL HOME
PropertyKWAZULU-NATAL
RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market is looking up for homebuyers and property investors
THE NEIGHBOURHOODHILLCREST AND BEYOND
TRENDWATCHKIT OUT YOUR HOME OFFICE
HIGH-TECH DINNER AT
PLUM
Maximise your retirement lifestyleMaximise your retirement lifestyle
ROB ROY RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE VILLAGE
OUR TRENDS ISSUE: WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE DIFFERENT ZONES OF OURIDEAL HOME
4 | June/July 2011
If you haven’t yet, you really should …
It’s a bittersweet editorial for me this month, because it will be my last with The Property Magazine. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’ve met the most amazing people across a range of disciplines, from real estate, decor and design to those in the leisure and entertainment � eld. I was completely new to the real estate industry, but have found it fascinating, and to all the people who helped and supported me with information and insight over the past year, I have to say a big ‘thank you’.
I’m delighted to announce that The Property Magazine has been awarded the Sapoa Publishing Award for ‘Best Property Magazine of the Year 2011’. It’s just another accolade in a long line of awards, but one that we are truly proud of. A lot has to do with the amazing team that puts the magazine together, especially our incredibly talented art director, Warren Uytenbogaardt, who worked endless hours to ensure the redesign of the magazine went according to plan.
The award was given at the annual Sapoa conference, where one of the highlights was the address by Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale. Tokyo’s message to property owners was clear: while property ownership for all is essential, and everyone has a right to own property, the principles of the Constitution of the country are sound, and this extends to property ownership. ‘No
law can just allow arbitrary deprivation of property,’ he said. ‘Our Constitution cannot be treated as a piece of toilet paper. It is a formidable law that comes with the dreams and hopes of the people.’ At the same time, he encouraged Sapoa members to assist him in his mission to deracialise property ownership in South Africa, and to reunite the townships of South Africa with its cities. ‘We need to reverse the legacy of apartheid to unite Johannesburg and Soweto, Umlazi and Durban. We need to close that gap and unite the people,’ he said.
On a � nal note, it’s � tting that the guest editor of my � nal issue is Peter Gilmour, chairman of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, because he was one of the very � rst people I interviewed when I � rst started working at The Property Magazine, and throughout the year he and his team have been extremely supportive.
Nicky Manson, currently deputy editor of Sandton magazine, will be taking over as editor of The Property Magazine from next month. I’m sure she’ll get as much joy out of it as I have.
Check out the Paul du Toit sculpture on top of Strand Tower
Hotel on Strand Street in Cape Town. Entitled That’s Me on
the Corner, this quirky, fun installation, which so perfectly
captures the spirit of Paul’s work, is part of Cape Town’s bid to
become World Design Capital 2014. pauldutoit.com
Try the oldest Glenmorangie whisky in existence,
Pride 1981, a single-malt Scotch named after its year of
creation. It’s a limited-edition whisky, so it is packaged in
beautiful crystal decanters, and there are only 1 000 of
them available worldwide. In South Africa, it sells for about
R30 000. +27 (0)21 424 5594; glenmorangie.com
Taste the grilled fi llet of beef with herb mash and
spinach purée with vegetable panache and port jus at
Dash Restaurant at the new Queen Victoria Hotel at the
V & A Waterfront in Cape Town. Made with a compilation
of wild mushrooms, it’s presented like an artwork – almost
too beautiful to touch. Chef Stephen Templeton’s focus is on
sourcing the freshest of local ingredients, and never is this
more apparent than in this dish! +27 (0)21 418 1466,
queenvictoriahotel.co.za
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ED’S LETTER
Pho
tog
rap
h R
uvan B
osh
off
Going out on a high note
Sandy Welch, Editor
Brettenwood Lakes from R3 295 000 Homes from R3 250 000Land from R650 000When you choose Brettenwood Coastal Estate you can enjoy an abundance of foliage surrounding your site. These sites are clustered in small enclaves, which are screened from each other by Mother Nature herself. Natural foliage, ridges, water ways, wetlands and beautiful trees keep you constantly in touch with the fauna and flora of the Estate.
CHILLING IN STYLEThe Property Magazine was in our room on our arrival at the Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa, where my daughter and I spent four nights in the Damask Suite being well taken care of. (One morning, standing at the doors leading onto our private patio and the garden beyond was a pair of Egyptian geese having their breakfast while we enjoyed ours. My daughter placed a rose behind my ear as we planned our day of spa treatments and tours.) We loved the Lacoon chair in the article about Espresso Design, as well as the outdoor furniture shown in the Cane Time ad. The article on home heating solutions was also interesting – I’d love to have a stylish � replace in my home. Thank you for the inspiring ideas, and thanks to Erinvale for the great rest!Karen Leigh, via email
GOLDEN ACHIEVEMENTI noted with interest that The Property Magazine won the ‘Best Property Magazine ofthe Year 2011’ award at Sapoa recently. I would like to express my congratulations to you on behalf of the entire Pam Golding Properties Group on this richly deserved acknowledgement of your contribution to the property industry.Andrew Golding, via email
BLOEMFONTEIN AND BEYONDI’ve just picked up the latest issue of The Property Magazine. It’s riveting, as usual. I’ve been an avid reader of The Property Magazine for a little over a year now. The � rst time I saw it, I bought it because of its size; it’s bigger than other magazines. I paged through it, and I was mesmerised. I’d previously published a youth publication in Bloemfontein, and used your visionary magazine as the benchmark of superior design, editorial and content delivery. Out of all the magazines I buy, yours is the � nest; Top Billing magazine doesn’t even come close to it, and they have TV, radio and online to back them.
As a 26-year-old aspiring publisher who loves and appreciates the written word as an instrument of change, inspiration and even greatness, I think The Property Magazine and Sandton magazine are amazing – world class. It takes vision, guts and foresight to create, maintain and grow an enterprise as phenomenal and brilliant as yours. Keep on pushing beyond all imaginable creative and editorial boundaries.Lwish Kodise, via email
Property involves us all. What’s your view? Email [email protected].
WINNING LETTERWrite to us and you could win a Bugatti Glamour Range kitchenware hamper
valued at R1 500! Thanks to a team of specialist designers, the comprehensive
range of products is all about quality, beauty and practicality.
italianlifestyle.co.za
Property thepropertymag.co.za
DISTRIBUTION
National Readership
287 815KwaZulu-Natal Circulation19 906AMPS Audited National Circulation (Jan.–Mar. 2011)
medianova.co.za
THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE KWAZULU-NATAL DISTRIBUTION
ABC Audited National Circulation – Total Circulation, Jan.–Mar. 2011: 83 663AMPS (2011A) Audited Readership: 287 815
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14 187 copies free-to-home in the following areas (including residential estates):BereaMusgraveMorningsideWindermereBeverly HillsCowies HillWaterfall/KloofHillcrestMaytimeUpper UmhlangaLower UmhlangaUpper La LuciaLower La LuciaPrestondaleBroadwayMount EdgecombeHiltonWembleyBallitoUmdloti
3 237 copies to luxury outlets:The Boat HouseThe Vineyard on BallitoZimbali LodgeFairways LodgeTeremok MarineLa BordelloMadeline Grove B & BThe Palms Guest HouseEssenwood HouseThe BalmoralPhezulu Game EstateThe Royal HotelRiverside Hotel & SpaSica’s Guest HouseThe Westville HotelEndless Horizons Boutique HotelQuarters HotelThe Manor HouseFairway Guest HouseDocklands Hotel
� e PropertyMagazine is now available onall domestic and internationalAir Namibia fl ights!
Propertydecor, trends, luxury, design & real estate
JUNE/JULY 2011
Winner of 10 publishing awardsEst. 2004, Issue 222
KWAZULU-NATAL
RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market
is looking up for homebuyers and property investors
THE NEIGHBOURHOODHILLCREST AND BEYOND
TRENDWATCHKIT OUT YOUR HOME OFFICE
HIGH-TECH DINNER AT PLUM
Maximise your retirement lifestyle
Maximise your retirement lifestyle
ROB ROY RETIREMENT
LIFESTYLE VILLAGE
OUR TRENDS ISSUE: WE TAKE YOU ON
A TOUR OF THE
DIFFERENT ZONES OF OURIDEAL HOME
Propertydecor, trends, luxury, design & real estate
GAUTENGEst. 2004, Issue 222
Winner of 10 publishing awards
JUNE/JULY 2011
RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market
is looking up for homebuyers and property investors
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
THE KZN MIDLANDS
TRENDWATCH
KIT OUT YOUR HOME OFFICE
MODERN SANDTON PENTHOUSE – A NEW
URBAN LIFESTYLE AMONG THE CLOUDS
Atterbury and ENL developing the
island’s fi rst regional shopping mall
BAGATELLE
MALL OF MAURITIUS:
OUR TRENDS ISSUE:
WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE
DIFFERENT ZONES OF OUR
IDEAL HOME
Propertydecor, trends, luxury, design & real estateWinner of 10 publishing awards
WESTERN CAPEEst. 2004, Issue 220
JUNE/JULY 2011
REUBEN’S AT ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN
RE/MAX’s Peter Gilmour on why the South African property market is looking up for homebuyers and property investors
THE NEIGHBOURHOODA PLACE CALLED SANDTON
TRENDWATCHKITTING OUT YOUR OFFICE
DESIGNED FOR LIVINGA KZN BEACH COTTAGE
Hollywood meets shared ownershipDESERT STAR!NAMIBIA’S DREAM DEVELOPMENT
OUR TRENDS ISSUE: WE TAKE YOU ON A TOUR OF THE DIFFERENT ZONES OF OURIDEAL HOME
OVER 83 000 copies reaching South Africa’s most powerful individuals and investors!
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8 | June/July 2011
Durban-based architect Sally Adams has designed a stylish, multifunctional home in the KZN countryside, one which off ers itself up as a getaway for golfers, a conference venue or a glorious hideaway for those yearning to curl up.
It began like this. Durban-based architect Sally
Adams was tasked by the developer, Guy
Smith, to design a structure to supplement the
accommodation already found at Gowrie Farm
Estate, namely The Clubhouse and The Folie, as well
as to integrate a conference facility.
‘The site is exquisite,’ says Sally, ‘overlooking
the dam as it does.’ She’s right, it is perfect –
particularly so when the vista from the house includes
picture- postcard fi elds of cows doing what cows
do. Gowrie is a full working farm, so although you’re
warmly welcomed to the home and the estate, you
won’t forget where you are.
As if you’d want to – this landscape and
near- English climate, with four seasons a day, invites
the country lifestyle of thick jackets and gumboots,
bracing walks and roaring fi res.
The Charles Smythe Cottage is on Gowrie Farm
Estate, so Sally, together with architect Dave Barrow,
needed to design something that works within the
parameters of the ‘Midlands farmhouse’ architectural
language. Guy is always seeking fresh, loose
interpretations, and he got them here.
Sally describes her inspiration for the design as
‘a combination of retaining some elements of farm
architecture – a series of loosely connected, small
buildings – a little bit of a reference to a barn, and
then, accommodation of the pretty harsh climate of
the region. It can go from almost snowing at night
to the most perfect day. It was really important to
capture the sun, while making the most of those
incredibly beautiful, tranquil views.’ She continues,
‘Just that whole sense of indoor-outdoor fl ow, and
how to give the dwelling a contemporary twist. We
didn’t want a literal interpretation of the farmhouse
concept. We were aiming to create something which
didn’t entirely fl ip ‘farmhouse’ on its head, but rather
challenged the concept, yet was very liveable, easy
on the eye, easy to live in, a little contemporary, but
not too contentious.’ Sally says they explored the use
of steel and glass: ‘A pavilion or barn reference to
the steel structure of some standard farmyard barns.
Obviously it isn’t a standard farmyard barn at all, but
it was part of the idea.’
Designing a home which has conferencing as a
requirement didn’t faze Sally. She has effectively
designed a home to be lived in, but has created
spaces which extend and work well for the
delegates, such as multipurpose garaging that can be
transformed into a 24-seat (60-seat, cinema style)
conference venue; level turf spill-out spaces which
allow for a marquee; and sheltered and/or sunny
central courtyards for luncheons.
Interior decorator Margaret Howard describes
the interior as ‘collaborative’. ‘I wanted to keep
within Sally’s aesthetic and simple monochromatic
colour scheme, so we didn’t fi ght with the landscape
Durban-based architect Sally Adams has designed a stylish, multifunctional
CountryCOMFORTABLE
June/July 2011 | 9
HOT space
HOT pROpeRTY
1Style, charm, cosiness, and a dramatic backdrop. 2Light-filled living areas. 3The bathroom’s cool, clean lines. 4A design nod to a barn, but modern and comfy. 5It’s often all about golf. 6The spacious conference facility.
Visit thepropertymag.co.za for more fabulous
getaway destinations.Wo
rds
Anne S
chauff
er
Pho
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hs
Ang
ela
Buckla
nd
and what’s out there, but rather retained that deep
serenity and calmness of the space,’ she says.
The client was adamant that the furnishings be
comfortable and inviting – primarily a home, nothing
too edgy – and not the cold commerciality of a
conference space. ‘We particularly didn’t want it
to have a hotel feel – “country comfortable” is the
coined phrase – and loads of natural fabrics were
used,’ says Margaret.
The decor meshes comfortably with the structure:
tones of grey throughout give that contemporary
feel, accentuated by framed black and white images
of the KZN Midlands by Angela Buckland, while the
furniture and furnishings are a well- balanced mix
of classic and modern. ‘We paired Pierre Cronje
riempie chairs with a contemporary custom-made
table and classic linen couches with two very simple
black leather chairs and square ottomans.’ The
bedrooms, with bathrooms screened by translucent,
lightweight shoji screens, exude that luxurious aura,
with the finest down duvets and 300-thread, pure
cotton percale linen, pure wool throws and carpets,
underfloor heating and double glazing. The heating
meant no heavy drapes were needed for warmth, so
Margaret was freed up to keep it light and bright.
The Charles Smythe Cottage is the ideal escape
for a week or weekend, no matter the time of year.
The inviting living area has a double-sided feature
fireplace, while the oversized stretches of glass offer
ever-changing views over the lake and golf course.
Golf, fly fishing, books, birdwatching, Scrabble, the
Midlands Meander and some of the country’s top spas
are an easy stretch away. The cottage is self-catering,
but for those who fancy a brisk walk, Wellies, fresh
country air and the company of a curious cow or
two, the Gowrie Farm Clubhouse offers a hearty
country breakfast.
For conference delegates, families and couples, a
gentle stay at Charles Smythe Cottage is as far away
as one can get without emigrating.
Charles Smythe Cottage,
+27 (0)33 266 6294, gowrie.co.za
Dave Barrow, +27 (0)72 755 0866
Minim Interior Design, +27 (0)82 926 1022
Sally Adams Architects, +27 (0)31 205 1902
1 2
6543
10 | June/July 2011
Fab fi nds to satisfy body and mind – Italian fare with South African fl air, fi ne art and miniatures, innovative furniture design and locally made decor items.
HOT PROPERTY
HOTSPOTS
Co
mp
iled
by A
nd
ré F
iore
and
Genevie
ve F
isher
FLORENT HAMEAU,head chef at Cassia Restaurant at Nitída Wine
Farm in the heart of the Durbanville Wine
Valley in Cape Town, hails from Normandy,
France. He reveals what brought him to South
Africa, and shares the secret to perfectly
prepared lamb.
Q How did you end up living in Cape Town and working as head chef at Cassia?I met my wife, Safura, in the UK while I was
working as a chef in a restaurant in London.
She is from Cape Town and we decided to
move back to South Africa and the Cape,
where her family is from. I had heard about
Cassia and in April 2008 I applied for the
position of chef de partie, got it, and am
still here.
Q What is your favourite winter ingredient?It would have to be mushrooms – I love their
different textures and fl avours. One of my
favourites is an old French classic, coq au vin,
which to me is home-style cooking at its best.
Q Who would be your dream guests to cook for?Gordon Ramsay, to show him what real food
should taste like! On a more serious note,
cooking for Nelson Mandela, who is a national
and international icon, would be the biggest
honour that I could imagine.
Q Lamb is your favourite dish. Any tips to getting it right? Good-quality free-range lamb is essential, as is
time, patience and the right seasoning.
Q What do you like most about South African cuisine?The simplicity and honesty of the food.
Traditional dishes, such as potjies, with their
versatility, are really great. There are also the
different ingredients that we have available
here and are not found anywhere else.
+27 (0)21 976 0640, cassiarestaurant.co.za
Italian heritageThe newly opened Stretta Cucina at Hillcrest’s Heritage Market is creating a stir, because of its easy-going
lunches and dinners. An Italian restaurant serving up authentic Italian food, Stretta Cucina utilises classic
components, such as Italian fl our, fresh homemade tomato sauce and a wood-fi red oven for baking assorted
thin-based pizzas. It has a good range of dried and fresh pastas and does a popular wood-fi red baby chicken
in peri-peri or lemon and herb. Fillet steak, veal and grilled calamari also feature on the menu. Weekly specials
include gems such as osso bucco, blue crab soup and even more pizza and pasta. +27 (0)31 765 8862
Art stopThe new Audrey Rudnick Gallery in Umdloti promises
heaps of original artwork. The gallery is a trove of the
combined works of Audrey and her husband, Darren
Aiken. Audrey is a world- renowned surrealist painter
and sculptor and creator of the Pod People and the
Skirt People, and Darren is famous for his miniature
sculpted portraits, painted ’70s collages and, of course,
his caricature chess sets, including The Old vs The New
SA Parliament, and Music Legends. Close to the
airport and right next door to two of Umdloti’s best
restaurants, the gallery has quickly become a hot stop
for anyone looking for a gift as small as a gopher or
a serious collectable. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to
2 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday. But with their studio just
down the road, they’re open for business at the ring of
the phone. +27 (0)82 787 2470, audreyrudnick.com;
thehoozoo.com
June/July 2011 | 11
HOT SHOP
HOT PROPERTY
Shiny things for the magpie in you, and bewitching things from near and far.
Turn overJared Dwyer’s new Glenwood space
is turning heads, and is the perfect
showcase for his business, Woodman’s
Carpentry – The Innovation and Maintenance Co.
‘I don’t like to redo what’s been done,’ says Jared, ‘so I don’t use the
word “revamp”.’ Proving the point, he turns used objects and materials
into fantastic new features, such as bespoke shutters, tables, cupboards
or shelving. No space is too big or too small for him to work with, and
he prides himself on undertaking more innovative projects, such as
transforming awkward spaces into workable places, as well as creative
challenges, such as mobile bars, loft rooms and kitchens.
+27 (0)83 817 8852
Country styleThe brand-new art and decor store, Abundance, is situated in Karibu
Nursery in Umhlali, and stocks ‘a bit of everything’, including edgy Koop
furniture made from alien timber, classic pieces from Oyster Bay, designer
cushions by Minim, Maridadi pewter-ware, art by Fran Jex and a wide
selection of decor accessories, lamps and contemporary jewellery. Owners
Fran Jex and Sue Boulle combine green sentiments with empowerment
by buying as much as they can from local women (and a couple of men),
creating employment and reducing the store’s carbon footprint.
+27 (0)82 444 1518, abundanceartanddecor.com
The winter range by coveted
Australian clothing brand,
Witchery, is all about
updated classics with a
dose of individuality for
fashion- forward women
and men. Available
from Stuttafords.
+27 (0)11 879 1000,
stuttafords.co.za;
witchery.com.au
The winter range by coveted
Australian clothing brand,
WINTER WITH WITCHERY
LIQUID SILVERMade from 100% pure
Weber blue agave in Jalisco,
Mexico, Silver Patrón – the
world’s most widely enjoyed
premium tequila – is now
available in South Africa.
The glass bottles, each an
individually hand-blown
work of art, are reason
enough to get some.
+27 (0)21 905 9066,
liq.co.za
LIQUID
AMOROUS SPARKLEThinking of tying the knot?
Then get her a personalised
handmade platinum and
diamond engagement ring
from Ida-Elsje Jewellery.
Or try various settings, from
precious metals to wood
or even synthetic amber.
Available online at Africhic.
+27 (0)21 424 1101,
idaelsje.com; africhic.com
SPICE UP YOUR BOOKSHELFJust released by local author, Shubnum
Khan, is her debut novel, Onion Tears.
Billed as a ‘don’t miss’, the beautifully
told story is set in contemporary
South Africa and evokes sharp and
spicy kitchen aromas as it recounts
the life stories of three generations of
Muslim women. Shubnum teaches at
the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is
a freelance journalist and cartoonist.
+27 (0)11 327 3550,
penguinbooks.co.zapenguinbooks.co.za
12 | June/July 2011
HOT PROPERTY
HOT STUFF
Out and about in June
artSPACE, 6–25 JuneInstallations and paintings rub shoulders at artSPACE. Pop
in to see A History of My Life in 100 Objects by Louise
Jennings and The Anatomy of the Un-seen by Grace Kotze .
+27 (0)31 312 0793, artspace-durban.com
Durban Spar Women’s Race, 19 JuneEnjoy a winter morning at the 22nd Annual Durban Spar
Women’s Race, beginning and ending at Moses Mabhida
Stadium. The 10km is open to all ladies over 15, and the
5km race is open to entrants as young as nine.
+27 (0)31 312 9374, ladiesrace.co.za
East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, 24 June – 3 JulyDurban’s largest lifestyle show, featuring over 300 home
and lifestyle stalls, including creative home products,
electrical appliances and outdoor patio accessories, takes
place at the Durban Exhibition Centre. +27 (0)31 368 7630,
houseandgardenshow.co.za
WHAT’S ON
ENTERTAINMENT
Roll up! Roll up!KZN audiences stand to be enchanted anew when South Africa’s Burlesque sensation,
Madame Zingara, starts performing in Durban from 1 June until 13 August. Madame Zingara’s
Theatre of Dreams opens at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World with a dinner
circus spectacular in Victoria, the elegant, world-renowned mirror tent. The group’s new acts
promise to astound and amaze: Ivan and Kristina, the incredible Russian husband-and-wife
duo, will perform feats on roller skates that defy both gravity and probability; a double-strap
act by Ukraine’s Oleksii and Oleksandr will display their breathtaking agility and strength; Ben,
The Rapper will enchant with his sensual Caribbean voice; and three Mongolian Princesses
will perform mesmerising contortions. The performances will be accompanied by a decadent
four- course feast at this great family treat or romantic night out for two.
In this home, the ordinary and the extraordinary come together to create both living space and playground.
DowntimeWords André Fiore
Photographs Grant Pitcher
June/July 2011 | 13
ON SHOW
ON SHOW
14 | June/July 2011
‘Maximise on the view.’ That was the first and foremost brief given to architect Cornel
Cloete of Cloete Architects and Project Managers. And presented with a superb corner site, comfortably elevated, with sea views that stretch from the coves of Ballito to Durban’s Golden Mile, Cornel found that the scene was already set for sheer indulgence in this regard.
The result of his work is a four-bedroom, five-bathroom home with seismic views that arrest and ripple through into every room. Situated on Zimbali Estate, this sprawling, 490m2 home has been designed both as a holiday destination and permanent residence,
and in the opinion of its Gauteng-based owners, it is set on ‘one of the best, if not the best, resort in the country’.
To fully enjoy their downtime, the owners wanted a home that could accommodate their family in more ways than one. This motivated the ingeniously designed upstairs and downstairs entertainment areas, each totally separate, yet both with direct access to the superb double rim-flow pool so that the owners’ university-going children can entertain without getting into their parents’ hair – and vice versa.
Vast entertainment spaces were a must in this home, and the splendid dining-and-unwinding options available on the upper deck around the superb wrap-around pool
Cloete Architects and Project Managers, +27 (0)82 322 1405
Right Cloete Architects and Project Managers has created an entertainment paradise with
splendid sea views from all living areas while maintaining the intimacy of a family home.
With years of experience, DNO Construction KZN has delivered customer satisfaction by
placing great emphasis on client communication and interaction in order to achieve the desired
result during the construction period. Below Presenting a warm welcome and a uniquely
sophisticated ambience, Corobrik Burgundy clay pavers quietly do the job, while the thermal
mass of the clay brick walls helps optimise thermal comfort.
Corobrik, +27 (0)31 560 3111
June/July 2011 | 15
ON SHOW
Architecture thAt tAkes your breAth AwAyFormed in 2003, Cloete Architects and Project
Managers trades from its head office in
Secunda, and from its 2006-established branch
office in Ballito.
Specialising in luxury residential and
commercial buildings as well as industrial
buildings, Cloete Architects and Project
Managers has been involved in many
prestigious projects throughout South
Africa and abroad, and takes pride in its
well-established client relationships and
in delivering designs that create buildings
that are an asset to their clients and
their communities.DNo construction kZN, +27 (0)82 555 0887
16 | June/July 2011
ON SHOW
‘We chose Cornel Cloete because he has new ideas.’
Opposite, top left Linear hand-axed Saxon Stone provides a look that’s natural, distinctive and innately beautiful. Designed, supplied and installed by The Sandstone Story. The Sandstone Story
supplies and installs natural stone nationwide. Opposite, bottom right Exotic Kitchens creates environments by combining thought and imagination. Every detail is matched to refl ect and suit
the homeowner’s personality, not just in the kitchen, but also in every room of the home.
June/July 2011 | 17
Visit thepropertymag.co.za for a look at other
extraordinary homes across the country.
Professionals list:
Cloete Architects and Project Managers, +27 (0)82 322 1405,
The Sandstone Story, +27 (0)32 946 3249, sandstonesupplies.co.za
are just a hint of what’s on o� er. As the water from the pool � ows back towards the house as well as away to the sea, so the visual play continues.
Glass � ooring above an intimate outside courtyard, double-volume stairways, sheer, modern and stark against transparent walling and high-pitched ceilings featuring glorious rafter detail, add to the abundant space and complement the climate, allowing for the cooling � ow of sea breezes, yet also o� ering the option of warmer spaces away from the weather when needs be.
For a family that enjoys entertaining, kitchens are paramount, and this home boasts two adjoining kitchen spaces as well as an ample scullery. Designed and installed by Exotic Kitchens, these elegant spaces are divided into the ‘show kitchen’, which is open to visitors and immaculately appointed, and the second, ‘behind-the- scenes’ kitchen area that’s just as pristine and is where the prep and “hard cooking” are done, and
where the children are free to whip up a meal without worrying about the mess.
Each of the en-suite bathrooms features double basins and double shower heads, so the house is already equipped to accommodate the holiday needs of the children and their future spouses and families, as well as the needs of other visiting couples.
In comfortable co-existence with the surrounding natural environment, a neutral palette was decided upon, while building features and materials extended from water, brick and glass to soft sandstone and solid woods.
‘We chose Cornel Cloete because he has new ideas,’ say the owners.
Cornel con� rms their opinion of him when he says, ‘The whole point behind architecture, I think, is to keep looking for new ways to recreate the ordinary.’
If that amounts to extraordinary spaces for relaxation and recreation, then this home is it.
ON SHOWON SHOW
Exotic Kitchens, +27 (0)31 579 3800
The Sandstone Story, +27 (0)32 946 3249
18 | June/July 2011
PROMOTION
Clear evidence of the recovering property market in Cape Town was apparent at the launch of The Factory Apartments, held recently at Aquacor’s head o� ce. As Group Chairman
Arthur Quinton, whose architectural practice spearheaded all of Aquacor’s landmark successes, such as Metropolis in Green Point and Millwood in Bryanston, pointed out when welcoming some 90 guests to the event, ‘The fact that so many of you are here proves that the recession is over!’
By the end of the evening, the � rst 20 apartments in this 129-unit, seven-� oor building had been signed for – an amazing achievement in a market that has been moribund for the last two years.
Observatory’s ‘quiet investment revolution’The Factory Apartments will be located in the trendy suburb of Observatory, just 4km south-east of the CBD. This vibey residential area is enjoying something of a quiet investment revolution, as small businesses, art shops and galleries redevelop existing properties all along the well-known Lower Main Road strip. Surrounded by a plethora of well-attended tertiary institutions, it’s also a favourite suburb for young professionals, artists, media workers and postgraduates.
Cape Town, the Los Angeles of Africa
Matthew Quinton, Aquacor’s new business director, says he is delighted with the market’s response, especially the number of up-country buyers from Johannesburg and Durban. ‘Savvy investors always start with “location, location, location”. From that point of view, I predict that Cape Town is poised for another regional house price mini-boom that will outstrip the national averages.’
‘Cape Town is clearly the Los Angeles of Africa,’ he adds. ‘Everyone wants to be here: it has the best-run municipality
in the world, and has just been chosen as the “World’s Best Destination” by the in� uential tourist website, TripAdvisor.’
The Cape wins the ‘semigration’ war
Matthew says, ‘You just have to look at the “semigration’ statistics to see why Cape Town’s property values are set to rise well above the rest of the country’s. FNB’s Inter-provincial Home Buyer Monitor, published last month, clearly shows that Cape Town is the overall winner in the competition to attract skilled labour. According to prominent economist, John Loos, the Western Cape has shown a positive or “net inward” migration of +10,6%, compared to the next best province, Gauteng, which recorded a slight loss of skilled labour, showing a net outbound migration rate of -1,1%!’
Ideal investment for parents of students
Michael Morris, Aquacor’s � nancial director, underlined another bene� t of investing in The Factory Apartments. ‘Our new development is located at the educational epicentre of Cape Town, with UCT, CPUT, AFDA and Damelin all being within a 4km radius, and is excellently catered for by public and campus transport systems. So for any parent of a child starting their studies in Cape Town in 2013, investing in The Factory Apartments is something of a no-brainer.’
Michael adds, ‘Student accommodation is at a premium here. Instead of paying rent or exorbitant res. fees, you can house your child in your own secure, well-positioned apartment, which after three years will have developed into a potent foothold in the country’s most sought-after property market! A fair proportion of sales to date have been to exactly this pro� le of buyer. The huge demand for accommodation in the area also ensures that investors will not struggle to � nd tenants: rental demand in Observatory, not just from students, but also from young professionals, has been surging.’
Luxury features at affordable prices
The building itself o� ers features that are rare in the area, including a rooftop entertainment deck with a swimming pool and braai area, as well as a gym and laundry, secure undercover parking and 24-hour manned security.
No corners have been cut on � nishings and interiors: all apartments will be � tted with kitchen cupboards in a superior two-tone melamine and kitchen countertops � nished in a light-coloured granite; all bathroom brassware is by Grohe; and 600mm porcelain tiles have been used throughout.
‘We’ve even included built-in desks in the studio apartments – perfect for students, who simply have to move in,’ says Matthew. ‘We were fortunate to have the expertise of co-developer Ron Stringfellow, ex-CEO of Southern Sun Hotels, who worked closely with the architects and interior design team to ensure we created spaces that really work for the residents.’
The building will also be equipped with both wired and wireless high-speed broadband connectivity, which will allow for networked inter-apartment gaming.
‘Buyers are amazed that we have been able to o� er luxury features of this kind for average selling prices of around R17 000/m2,’ says Matthew.
Construction on The Factory Apartments is due to get under way in 2012, with completion anticipated for mid 2013. JLK Construction, which Aquacor has used for nearly 20 years, will be building the development.
Aquacor’s new development, � e Factory Apartments in Observatory, is primed to take full advantage of the recovering property market in the Mother City.
+27 (0)21 417 4343, thefactoryapartments.co.za
Strong investmentFUNDAMENTALS
June/July 2011 | 19
the NeIGhBOURhOOD
Not that long ago, Hillcrest was deemed country, and everything beyond was described as ‘two days away on horseback’. That’s all history now …
Hillcrest
Describing Hillcrest as ‘countryside’ raises as disbelieving a laugh among residents as does calling it ‘a village’. The face of the town has undergone a
substantial, often traumatic, lift and tuck, and the speed of the development and accompanying implosion of the infrastructure has driven the wanna-be villagers nearly insane. It wasn’t nicknamed ‘Hellcrest’ for
nothing, as another road rage incident headlined in the community newspaper. ‘We moved to Hillcrest for the gentle country life, and soon thereafter, the countryside upped and offed,’ grumbled one relative newcomer to the area.
The grumbling is subsiding now as Hillcrest the construction site becomes a standalone urban entity. The village is not only increasingly more self-contained,
Words Anne Schauffer Photographs Sally Chance
and Beyond
20 | June/July 2011
the NeIGhBOURhOOD
with all work and play needs fulfilled, but also it’s become a town to where the big boys of commerce and retail are relocating. Shopping centres are vast and comprehensive. Visually, too, the new landscape has begun to flex its green muscles and soften the surrounds, so all in all, acceptance of the reality has dulled the whingeing.
Of course, Hillcrest on steroids was largely a response to the property boom of yesteryear, so when the downturn froze much of the construction, Hillcrest as a work in progress was a particularly ugly moonscape. Gradually, though, the construction industry has been dusting off its hard hat, and everything is coming back to life.
For those who don’t want an urban setting, there are dirt roads a few kays away. On the edges of Hillcrest are numerous green and pleasant lands and, for now anyway, they offer the country life. On this side of the freeway, there’s greener pastures in the bigger plots and smallholdings, and even gated estates are popping up in little enclaves, such as Botha’s Hill, Assagay, Drummond, Alverstone and Shongweni, while across the freeway, there’s deep horse country at Summerveld.
Gated estates with their shared costs, lock-up-and-go appeal and heightened security are significant players on the Hillcrest property-scape, and have proven to be distinctive drawcards to buyers from a wide range of age groups, from first-time homeowners in Plantations to retirees at Le Domaine. The new Hillcrest Private Hospital opened its doors in early April, and this, says Clinton Nel of RE/MAX Address Kloof, ‘puts world-class medical and emergency facilities on our doorstep without our having to travel out of the area’.
He adds, ‘The hospital is good news for property investors, as new staff are looking for upmarket rental accommodation.’
Opposite the hospital, a new retirement village, Hillcrest Country Retirement Estate, is at an advanced planning stage, and is a welcome answer to the dire shortage of retirement estates. Up at Botha’s Hill, the remodelled old Rob Roy Hotel, known as The Rob Roy Lifestyle Retirement Village, is drawing upmarket retirees.
Chairman of the Hillcrest Ratepayers’ Association and Conomirra and Deputy Chair of the Combined Ratepayers’ of Durban Association and the KZN Ratepayers’ Association, Lilian Develing, has fought the fights – good and bad – for the district for many years, and is a mine of information on who’s doing what, when and where. The accelerated growth of Hillcrest inevitably led to an infrastructure imbalance, whether it was inadequate sewerage systems or roads entirely unable to cope. Most issues have either been rectified or are being addressed. At one stage, a moratorium on building prevented the rise of further gated estates when the municipal services were deemed to be entirely inadequate.
One of the ongoing debates is that of Emberton, a proposed development of the old driving range in the Gillitts district. Lilian says it’s been a yo-yo situation for three years now, and even though the environmental impact assessment has been approved by the Department of Agriculture, it’s now on appeal, as is the rezoning application. The intention is to build affordable housing, a small shopping centre and a gym over the railway line. The developer has applied for 525 units, consisting of blocks of flats and
medium-density housing. Emberton borders Augusta, a well-established, upmarket gated estate with quick access to the freeway – a very desirable attribute in a traffic-congested town – and a superb golf course, and this will-they-won’t-they has disrupted the ‘good life’ vision that residents have long enjoyed.
The Upper Highway is renowned for a number of superb schools, in particular the boys’ private schools of Highbury and Kearsney; the co-ed Thomas More and St Mary’s DSG (Diocesan School for Girls) are both a stone’s throw away, in Kloof. A number of excellent government schools service the area too, but Lilian says there’s still a severe shortage: ‘More than 5 000 units have been built in the past five years, but no new schools have been built or planned.’
So, who moves up the hill to Hillcrest and beyond … and why buck the trend to head north? Numerous reasons, one of the oldest being the climate: at its lofty height, Hillcrest is considerably cooler than the coast during the swampy summer months, and although some find the mist and fog of the area more of a hazard, most enjoy the seasonal changes, both in terms of temperature and visuals. Trees change colour, carpets of autumnal leaves line the roads, smoke spirals from chimneys, and everybody and their dog has gloved hands wrapped round a hot coffee with accompanying steaming breath at the Shongweni Market on icy Saturday mornings. Twenty minutes away, in Durban, if you were seen wearing gloves, you’d stop traffic.
Keith Wakefield, CEO of Wakefields Real Estate says, ‘Hillcrest still provides good-value-for-money properties, with R1 million to around R1,5 million being
more or less middle of the market. For example, a three-to-four-bedroom home with two lounges, a double garage and a pool in Hillcrest Park could be had for around R1,6 million. With Hillcrest having grown at the speed that it has, many buyers are looking at spots like Botha’s Hill and Assagay, which offer a country feel. Both these “suburbs” of Hillcrest offer better value than Hillcrest proper, with starter homes at just on the R1-million mark. With the demand increasing in the lower price ranges, Assagay and Botha’s Hill can look forward to prices increasing at a higher-than-average rate.’
At the other end of the scale is Summerveld, home to South Africa’s Jockey Academy, racehorse trainers and equestrian pursuits. This little pocket of exclusivity, tucked between the N3 and M13, has become a wonderful place to call home. With its lush paddocks and bridle paths with views from coast to ’berg, Summerveld sits on the fringe of suburbia, and consists largely of country homesteads equipped for equestrian leisure and sports activities, and beautiful, stately homes. Keith says, ‘Zoned for equestrian activities, 2ha is the minimum subdivision allowed. The roads are sandy, as horse-walking is permitted, and the speed limit is “crawl” so as not to frighten skittish young racehorses out for their daily exercise. Prices start at around R3 million, rising to around R20 million. As most of the permissible subdivision has already taken place, land here is at a premium, ensuring the area’s exclusivity and continued growth in asset value. The property downturn notwithstanding, the growth in value of these properties over the past number of years has been in the region of 500%.’
June/July 2011 | 21
the NeIGhBOURhOOD
‘For those who don’t want an urban setting, there are dirt roads a few kays away.’
Opening page, this page top left and opposite, bottom right The Summerveld Racing
Track – there’s ample countryside on the fringes of Hillcrest. Opposite, bottom left A stylish
Summerveld home on 2ha being marketed by Wakefields. This page, clockwise from top
right Retire in style at Rob Roy; commerce arrives in Hillcrest with a shout; the never-ending
building site; from here to eternity – views over the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
22 | June/July 2011
Commenting on the buoyancy of the rental market, Malcolm Peacock of Just Letting says, ‘Today, with security concerns, complexes are the most popular. Tenants want to be close to schools and shopping centres and to have quick, easy access to the highway. Price-wise, a three-bedroom unit in an estate will start at R5 500, going up to R25 000 in the top estates. A home starts at around R6 000. Rentals under R10 000 are moving quickly; others are taking a bit longer.’
Michele Wilson, director of Seeff Properties Hillcrest & Kloof, reiterates the strength of the townhouse market, and says demand for rentals has reached an all-time high: ‘Our rental market comprises the executive to the average family, who are either returning to South Africa from “not so good” experiences abroad or are in
the process of building a new home.’ She points out the increased opportunities for industry: ‘Developments and smaller factory warehouses have gone up in the Brackenhill areas. This has encouraged businesses to grow, and service their clients more effectively between say Gauteng, Pietermaritzburg and the Greater Durban areas.’
‘Town and country – that’s Hillcrest and beyond,’ says Alwina Muggeridge of Pam Golding Properties Kloof and Hillcrest, ‘best of both worlds.’
Linda Marsden-King of Dormehl Property Group concurs. ‘Hillcrest has done all the right things. Yes, there were growing pains, but it’s been worthwhile. Notwithstanding the need for service improvement from the municipality, we now have a real town serving the needs of a
growing number of residents, totally negating the need to travel down the Hill.’
The “Hill” – the perilous, truck-pitted Field’s Hill – is the bane of Upper Highway life and the thing preventing the entire community of Durban from rising upwards instead of moving sideways. Lilian says the quest by those of the Outer West to move the toll road from Mariannhill to the Lion Park is ongoing. ‘If the trucks had to pay at a toll
nearer to Pietermaritzburg, they wouldn’t be tempted to avoid the toll road into Durban and take the alternate route down Field’s Hill into Pinetown and Durban,’ she says.
A member of one of the region’s founding families says drily, ‘Field’s Hill is to the residents of these upper reaches, what the weather is to the English: a way of life, a unifying talking point and a fair reason to be late for work.’
With thanks to …
Dormehl Property Group, Linda Marsden-King, +27 (0)31 764 6262, dpgkzn.co.za
Just Letting, Malcolm Peacock, +27 (0)31 765 6609, justletting.co.za
Take a walk with us through our ideal, on-trend home, where you will be inspired by the living room’s throwback to the ’70s, the bedroom’s
Bohemian ambience, the kitchen’s monochromatic colour scheme, the bathroom’s rounded and soft � nishes, the drama of the entrance area, the dining room’s sense of ease and the outdoor area’s feeling of … well, being an extension of the other rooms in the house.
This concept home has been � lled according to the wishlists of the top professionals in the interior decor and design industries, and captures the key trends of our time.
We’ve roped in interior design and decor heavyweights to give us the heads-up on the hottest trends in home spaces.
In thezone
June/July 2011 | 31
TRENDS
the heads-up on the hottest
colour scheme, the bathroom’s rounded and soft � nishes, the drama of the entrance area, the dining room’s sense of ease and the outdoor area’s feeling of … well, being an extension of the other rooms in the house.
This concept home has been � lled according to the wishlists of the top professionals in the interior decor and design industries, and captures the key trends of our time.
TRENDSTRENDSTRENDS
June/July 2011 | 31
PROPERTY neighbourhood watchTRENDS
Entrance Zone Adam Court, Okha:
‘When stepping into the entrance area of a home, you should get a tangible sense of arrival, an ambience of excitement and drama that marks the moment of
crossing over into a new environment. High ceilings, gallery-like spaces, elevation of the area, or different wall treatments to the rest of the interior, are good
ways to evoke this. The entrance area is also the fi rst opportunity to display individuality as well as charm in the form of artworks and captivating sculpture, as
it is an area of exchanging fi rst impressions and formalities of social decorum. It is also the ideal location to feature large-scale sculptural lighting, something
powerful and unique that can be seen even when approaching the property.
‘With regards to furniture and accessories, a long and narrow server will allow you to display tabletop artworks, vases and glass collections, plus it’s the ideal
key-drop area. I would suggest working with fewer, more dramatic statement items rather than cluttering the space. Mirrors are ideal accessories to make the
area feel bigger, especially if they are as grandiose as possible. And, of course, everyone has one fi nal mirror check before they step out.
‘Most entrance areas are not large, so try to create a greater sense of openness and space with light, airy colour palettes, as the last thing you want to
encounter is a badly lit, dark and dingy environment. The experience should be uplifting, invigorating and sensory on every level. When it comes to fi nishes and
fl ooring, hardy, durable, easy-to-clean natural materials are currently on trend, such as marble, slate, timber, and porcelain tiles.’
+27 (0)21 461 7233, okha.co.za Co
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1Tropico Suspension Lights (Foscarini), Créma Design. 2Snap Ribbon Mirror, Box Living. 3Grey Ceramic Tile (Pergo), Barrow Flooring. 4Fractured Mirror, Okha. 5Concetto Range – Amethyst Display Table, Caesarstone. 6Walk Series Porcelain Tiles, Italcotto. 7Blown-Glass Vases, Red Hot Glass.
3
1
2
4
6
5 7
TRENDSTRENDSTRENDS
3
2
32 | June/July 2011
PROPERTY neighbourhood watch TRENDS
Dining ZoneMaira Koutsoudakis, Life Interiors & Architecture & Creative Direction:
‘Lighting is crucial to the dining zone: a feature light fi tting or ceiling activation makes the area intimate and adds a sense of drama and magic through the
channelling of light and mood. Over-scaled light fi ttings and the hidden source of light are big trends, as is the use of new lighting technology in the spirit of
sustainability, such as energy-saving LED lights, which can be installed in clusters and are dimmable.
‘When it comes to on-trend furniture, the excesses of the recent past and subsequent recession have steered tastes towards more honest, authentic furniture
and interiors. Less Duco-sprayed furniture, more one-off, handcrafted investment pieces that, in styling and materials, will wear well and have longevity. Chairs
are tending towards lower-backs, and tables are being made out of sandblasted timbers to expose their grain and colour.
‘The colour combination greige remains a big trend, and on the material front, grainy timber and wild, eccentric, exuberant marble and stone are pertinent.
Another big trend in the dining zone is more from a functionality perspective, namely, the ease of having facilities close at hand. For example a well- positioned,
well-designed server that has a silver tray with decanters and elegant glasses invites use by guests, freeing up the host to get on with the serious business of
entertaining. Adjustable mood lighting and slipcovers on chairs allow for changing the dining space from day to night, informal to formal, making spaces fl exible
and alive.’
+27 (0)11 783 5965, lifeinteriordesign.comMah
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1Jewelled Egg Wall Light, K. Light Import. 2Snap Diva Chair, Box Living. 3Tress Floor Lamps (Foscarini), Créma Design. 4Ostrich Shell Bowls, Ashanti Design. 5Stainless-Steel Tray (Bugatti), Italian Lifestyle. 6Table, Side Chairs and Armchairs (Cherner Chair Co.), Créma Design. 7Boathouse Pine Plank (Pergo),
Barrow Flooring.
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PROPERTY neighbourhood watch
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TRENDS
June/July 2011 | 35
1European Oak Rustic-Grade Flooring, Bestwood Flooring. 2Tray Tables, Dokter & Misses. 3Dragon Sofa, Colonial House Design. 4Red Light Carpet, Bretz Imports. 5Etch Lights (Tom Dixon), Créma Design. 6Ceramic Vase, Hennie Meyer Ceramics. 7Floor Cushion, Weylandts. 8Apollo Leather Occasional Chair, Chateau d’Ax. 9Floriana Wingback, Sarah Ord Interiors. 10Orbital Lamp (Foscarini), Créma Design. 11Leaves in Autumn Footstool, Skinny La Minx. 12Wall-mounted bookcase system
(Zalf), Espresso Design. 13Future City Wall Decal, Wall Art Stickers. 14Flash Tables (Tom Dixon), Créma Design.
Living ZoneTrevyn McGowan, Source:
‘Anything retro that has a ’70s feel is currently big for interior spaces. New York’s Upper-East-Side aesthetic, inspired by the 1970s, is the source of inspiration,
with a restrained yet sophisticated look. Vintage furniture that not only has provenance but also hints of the future is currently on-trend – the line of thinking is,
“antiques of the future”. Rooms have a feeling of spaciousness and non-clutter, where sofas are elevated, allowing you to see the fl oor, and don’t take up a lot
of space. Carpets and rugs are tending towards the exotic one-offs with an Indian feel and patchwork design, which act as the focal piece of a room. Groups of
interestingly shaped coffee tables, as opposed to one large one, is a growing trend, as are interesting sculptural pieces, such as vases and lamps, which are also
good focal points.
‘With regards to colour palettes, washed-out ’70s sepia is the biggest infl uence, with muted fl esh tones, greys, beige, toffee and pale pinks being derivatives.
‘This retro feel continues through to lighting, where a backdrop and ambience of warmth is achieved through the placement of bulbs in ceiling recesses and
adjusted by downlighters. Added to this, strategically placed standing lamps or clusters of lamps that create nodes of light are a big trend, as are unique and
off- centre chandeliers.
‘When it comes to materials and textiles, luxe fabrics are important, because of their texture and quality. Layering of various textures is another big trend,
particularly with leather, sheepskin, velvet and mohair.’
+27 (0)44 877 0719, source-sa.com
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36 | June/July 2011
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Cooking ZoneWendy Grater of Alpine German Kitchens, and Andrew Hamilton Barr of Espresso Design
Wendy says the 21st-century kitchen is fast becoming the social/nerve centre of the home, and its design needs to refl ect this. ‘Its functionality now incorporates
cooking, entertaining and socialising, as well as digital communication, stock control and home security control,’ she says. ‘It’s all about using space, accessories and
fi nishes to make the kitchen a refl ection of you and your lifestyle.’ Andrew Hamilton Barr says kitchens are becoming increasingly simplifi ed yet beautiful, to give
them a timeless element. In terms of design, he says the trend is for Italian manufacturers to team up with well-known designers so that kitchens are cutting-edge
and are associated with a world-renowned name.
Well-designed lighting that is functional and sets the mood is important in kitchens. The big trend here is to integrate lighting within the cabinetry. Wendy and
Andrew agree that there is a move away from halogen lighting to more eco-effi cient LED lighting. ‘Illuminated cabinetry with glass fronts and shelving units with
glass shelves with integrated LED lighting provide great opportunities to set up accents within the kitchen design where storage meets display,’ says Wendy.
In terms of kitchen cabinetry, Wendy says cabinets are going beyond the traditional depth of 600mm. ‘“Transparency”, “revealing” and “concealing” are key
themes, while glass drawer sides and fronts are extremely popular. We are also seeing glass being used as a worktop material and for door fronts. Glass can come in
different fi nishes, from gloss to sandblasted, and can also be coloured,’ she explains. Andrew says the thickness of the doors also varies – the trend is a less-chunky,
12mm door. ‘There is also a move towards handle-less cabinets,’ he adds.
Monochromatic colour palettes are big in worktops, splashbacks and doors. In fi nishings, natural tones, wood veneers and repro-wood veneers with white still
dominating are all on-trend, says Wendy. ‘Black and white glass, high-gloss or soft hydro-lacquer have never gone out of style, and white appliance ranges that can
match white kitchens or provide a contrast to other neutral colours are becoming more prevalent.’
The latest trend in kitchen fl ooring is towards a seamless fi nish that allows an integrated fl ow from the kitchen to the rest of the open-plan living area. ‘We’re
seeing oversized, high-gloss and matt porcelain tiles in neutral colours, as well as stone-laid fl ooring, such as Quartzcarpet,’ says Wendy. ‘Marmoleum is a popular
choice right now,’ adds Andrew. ‘It’s an eco-friendly covering that offers a seamless fl oor.’
When it comes to being eco-sensitive, Wendy says antibacterial worktops, non-toxic glues for the cabinetry, hydro-lacquers and sustainable woods are popular.
(Recycling bin systems are standard in European kitchens.) New eco-friendly products for worktops are coming onto the market, such as PaperStone by StoneTech,
which is made from 100% recycled paper and petro-free phenolic resins, and is a beautifully fi nished, sustainable composite surface offering a New Age alternative
1Rational, Alpine German Kitchens. 2Quartz Carpet Millstone, Quartz Carpet. 3Joseph Joseph Flo Oil and Vinegar Pourers, Banks. 4Phoenix Stone in Black, World
of Marble and Granite. 5White Bugatti Italy Appliances, Italian Lifestyle. 6Side-by-Side Fridge, LG. 7Cassis Deep Heart- Shaped Stoneware Casserole, Le Creuset. 8CombiSet, Miele. 9Unoedue Modular Wall-Unit System in Wood and Matt Lacquer, Espresso Design. 10Rational, Alpine German Kitchens. 11Under-Counter
Fluorescent Tube Fittings and Built-In Cabinet Downlighters, Lighting Warehouse. 12Water Zone Concept (Dornbracht), Flush Bathrooms.5
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PROPERTY neighbourhood watch
38 | June/July 2011
Sleeping ZonePaul Duncan, Woolworths:
‘There’s nothing more important than the bed, of course. But what makes it really comfortable, apart from a good mattress, is an upholstered headboard. Bedrooms
have become more than just sleeping zones: they’re rooms in which to lounge about and relax. Sofas and big, comfortable armchairs are becoming more apparent in
the bedroom, which is now re-imagined as a sitting room in which you also sleep and that has easy access to the bathroom nearby. Dressing rooms are always great,
but if you haven’t the space, there is the option of having built-in cupboards that masquerade as freestanding pieces.
‘Lighting is important in the bedroom, because of the calm and romantic ambience inherent to the space. One lamp for ambient lighting is essential – tall with a
big shade – as is a smaller reading lamp or even a desk lamp that has very focused directional lighting.
‘When it comes to linen and fabric, a current trend is T-shirt bedding: it’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Mixing and matching bed linen is also a
big trend right now: mixing pattern and print, pattern with stripes, both large and small scale – the look is slightly Bohemian, but it gives a rich visual texture to
the room. There’s a move towards greater luxury and indulgence in the bedroom as people search for products which help the cocooning urge that seems to be
prevalent right now, which is why 300-400-thread-count Egyptian cotton is popular. In the same breath, though, with regards to eco-sensitivity, there is also a move
towards using other fabrics, including linen and cotton blends, such as bamboo and modal. Layered beds are also a favourite trend at the moment: beds layered
with throws, cushions, quilts and so on are more appealing and inviting.
‘With regards to colour palettes, berries and reds are huge, though you might consider using them gently. Colours that tend to be favoured in bedding are more
restful colours, such as pastels, naturals and white.’
‘Today, the bathroom is becoming a living room space that offers a refuge from the complex world we live in. The dominant trends are the soft bathroom with an
avant-garde feel, where shapes and designs are more rounded and cosy than sharp with hard edges and corners; the green bathroom, where natural, ecologically
sound materials and timeless, enduring design dominate; the fashionable bathroom that takes on the quality of a living space and becomes an indication of the
user’s personal tastes; and the minimalist bathroom, which promotes modern design that makes life simpler, with a natural or poetic character.
‘The notion of a private spa is growing in appeal as wellness becomes a primary focus in the bathroom. The demand for luxury, aesthetic appeal and the
cult of the body combine in a sophisticated concept that enables these experiences to be enjoyed in intimate privacy. Mood lighting, whirl-tubs, multifunctional
showers, saunas and other spa equipment, such as air nozzles, jet nozzles or rotating back-and-foot-massage nozzles, help to create personal spas.
‘The benefi ts and beauty of water have become an inspiration, from its cascading from shower heads in interesting formations to interesting bath designs that
encourage submersion. Technological trends to watch out for are electronic fi ttings, touch-free operation devices and convenient push-button control of showers
and other bathroom features. When it comes to colours and fi nishes, high-quality wooden surfaces, such as ebony, bleached oak, cherry tree or rosewood, give
the bathroom a lively warmth and personality and introduces a sense of the living room into the bathroom. New, eye-catching black and white high-gloss fi nishes
and black sanitary ceramic items are on-trend.’ +27 (0)11 722 9060, duravit.com
Concepts. 4Viega Toilet Flushers, On Tap. 5Vero Black Gloss Console (Duravit), On Tap. 6Nahho Floatation Bathtub, Duravit.
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PROPERTY neighbourhood watchTRENDS
Outdoor ZoneSusan Perry, The Modern Garden Company
‘By defi ning outdoor zones, you can add another three or even four clear outdoor “rooms” to your house, visibly adding value to your property. Outdoor zoning
can be done by means of shading, heating and lighting. Solar lighting has been a trend for a while and is progressing rapidly into more aesthetically pleasing
design forms. LED/rechargeable is still a signifi cant player and is taking on some much more organic, fl uid and interesting forms. Lighting is also being used to
create soft architecture, giving shape and form without structure.
‘The retro aesthetic is big this season, as with indoor furniture. It seems that the prevailing economic conditions have made us nostalgic. At the Milan Furniture
Fair this year, it was all about new products on old themes. Many of the classical designs were reinterpreted and re-engineered in contemporary materials, giving
a new look to old favourites. Fully upholstered outdoor furniture is currently the way forward – even if the furniture manufacturers were playing it safe in the
designs, the fabric technologies continue to progress. Many of us love the brights that are available, but are not quite brave enough to follow through. So keep
with the neutrals, and go with the on-trend palettes for accessories, such as the glamorous fuchsia, lime green and silver.
‘Outdoor carpets are becoming very popular, and shapes continue to be organic or to move towards the “new retro”. Multifunctional furniture is another big
trend, such as seating that doubles as lighting, stools that open up to become lounging cushions, loungers that fold to become tables and ottomans with tray
tops that double as seating or side tables.’ +27 (0)21 434 0611, moderngarden.co.za Be
This 14-bed boutique hotel is nestled in the upmarket, leafy suburb of Morningside, Durban, close to the trendy eateries of Florida Road. Durban’s beachfront, major sports stadiums, such as Kings Park and Moses Mabhida stadiums, golf courses and Greyville Racecourse are also nearby. For business guests, The Saint James on Venice is well positioned for easy access to the ICC and city centre, within 10 minutes of the Umhlanga Ridge precinct and 20 minutes from the airport.
Beautifully restored and with old-world values of comfort and service, The Saint James on Venice offers all the modern conveniences, including luxury transfers and state-of-the-art conference facilities. The signature restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, a traditional high tea and dinner, which can also be enjoyed outdoors in the shade of a beautiful old fig tree.
100 Venice Road Morningside Durban 4001
For further information please do not hesitate to contact The St James on Venice on
Deloitte candidates passed their IRBA board exam: 1Odete Pereira, Mario Sampaio, Samantha Pereira 2Yajina Jeawin, Arth and Ahuti Jeawin 3Sayeeda Rasool, Mariam
and Ismail Rasool. The Kingdom of the Netherlands donated R200 million to eThekwini Water and Sanitation: 4Mandla Malakoana, Mary-Anne Cobarg, Aaron Mfunda 5Dave Larkin, Jutta Dedekind, Simon Scruton, Speedy Moodliar 6Michael Sutcliffe, Rob de Vos, Neil Macleod, Cornelius Ruiters. Opening night of The Strat Pack: 7Ashleigh Dean, Mali Sewell, Christy Adlam 8Jason Andrew, Fiona Clark, Barry Thomson 9Mandy and Shaun Dragt. Relais & Châteaux champagne and canapés do at The
Oyster Box Hotel: 10Jill Wagner, Tony Romer-Lee, Lew Rood, Annie-Claude Bergonzoli, Liz McGrath, Nick Dreyer, Shan Varty. eLan Group’s charity Royal Luncheon at
Riverside Hotel: 11Sylvia Bickerdick, Sydney and Lynn Hammond 12Rose Naidu, Daphne Govender, Cynthia Ambrose 13Donel van Zyl, Rebecca Johnston, Ashley Graham.
To see who else we’ve featured in our Society pages, visit thepropertymag.co.za.
Jonathan Acutt Acutts, Justinus Adriaanse Private Property, Gareth Bailey RE/MAX Address, Colin Botha Chapman Dyer Inc., Justin Clarke Private Property,
Mark Coetzee Private Property, Owen Dormehl Dormehl Property Group, Earl Gabriel Just Property Group, Richard Gray Harcourts SA, Andrew Hathorn Beall
Chaplin & Hathorn, Keith Hendra Hendra Estates, Noleen Hendra Hendra Estates, Jenni McCallum Media Nova, Megan Rencken Private Property, John Roberts
Just Property Group, Anne Schauffer Media Nova, Fred Soukop Soukop Property Group, Jane Steiger Private Property, Colette van der Waldt Private Property
There we were at Plum, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it was Apple or BlackBerry. If you’re still mired in the mindset that the property industry is all about show houses and ‘For Sale’ boards,
you’re probably still carrying an abacus to tot up the bill. Meet the new breed of property professionals, who bring an iPhone and a tablet PC to dinner. Prepare to be booted out of your comfort zone.
It was a great night in all respects: Hotel on the Park proffered a starlit Durban sky and arranged the perfect evening temperature for bubbly and sushi on the patio, and in response, we added a very lively group of hosts and guests who rolled up their elegant sleeves from the word ‘go’. The guest list
included the co-hosts – the team from Private Property and The Property Magazine KZN team – plus Private Property’s guests from related industries. Property may have been at the heart of the evening, but technology kept it pumping.
The CEO of Private Property, Justinus Adriaanse, is a self-confessed techno junkie, and freely admitted that he budgets every year for technology upgrades to his toys and tools. He wouldn’t consider being behind the curve, and he’s the one at the head of the queue for the latest Apple tablet, iPod … you name it. And he’d brought them to dinner. We weren’t sure if that was the norm or if he’d brought it along to substantiate his claim that those at the forefront of technology are guaranteed to clean up the field. In his welcoming words,
he declared Private Property ‘a technology company which happens to be in the property industry’. He added, ‘We are thinking a lot about how 2020 is going to look. We need to gain a firm understanding of what will make your industry easier, particularly in terms of technology, and to achieve that, we want you to talk to us.’
Clearly, that’s why we were all there. To talk. Well, that, and some excellent food, wine and lively company. Once we’d established that Justinus hadn’t slipped any Blue Bulls memorabilia into the goodie bags (an unsafe move in Sharks’ territory), and he’d crushed Jonathan Acutt of Acutts in a BlackBerry-vs-Apple arm wrestle – ‘like VHS or Betamax,’ Colin Botha of attorneys and conveyancers Chapman
Survive or thrive. That was the rigorous debate which occupied a very vocal group of guests who wined and dined sumptuously at Hotel on the Park, courtesy of Private Property group and The Property Magazine.
Words Anne Schauffer Photographs Val Adamson
CollectionsPrivate
46 | June/July 2011
Dyer Inc. said drily – we moved on to the serious business of clinking glasses of Protea Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot and ordering our meals. What a delectable menu – meticulously prepared by Plum’s chef, Jason Turner, with a presentation as enticing as the contents.
Pausing between mouthfuls, our guests reached consensus that estate agents today need to be tech-savvy; the days of the cellphone brick as the ultimate lady estate agent’s weapon are long gone. ‘The tablet is an essential tool,’ said Justinus, as he flipped open this neat little item alongside his dinner plate.
Lively conversation centred around the changing face of property and estate agencies in SA. How far behind the rest of the world are we? ‘Not that far at all,’ said the Private Property team. Take auctions: in South Africa, perceptions around auctions are different; we think we’ll get a bargain. In the US, there’s not that associated air of desperation – only 20% of their properties sell on the day, because there are reserves. There, auctions are simply one way of selling a property, not a desperate measure. But our views are changing.
One of the biggest changes taking place in the industry is in people’s perception of ‘the opposition’. It wasn’t that long ago that Private Property was viewed as just that. Now it’s considerably more collaborative than competitive, and agents round the table, including Noleen and Keith Hendra of Hendra Estates and Fred Soukop of Soukop Property Group, all view Private Property as a significant helping hand. Co-founder of Private Property, Justin Clarke, smiled. ‘Awesome to have a group of people who could be opposition but are instead working together,’ he said. ‘Everybody here is forward-thinking – they see the industry changing, and they acknowledge the need to change with it. This is a progressive group …’
Speaking of progress, the Just Property Group plans to be the top property letting organisation within the next two years, said CEO John Roberts. He described their modus operandi for working with lessors: ‘We guarantee you your rental on the first of the month. No matter what the tenant’s doing, we pay you the rental, and continue to do so for as long as it takes us to sort it out (up to three months, but we’ve never experienced that). Nice for the landlord; not so nice for errant tenants. We are running a default rate of less than 1%, no matter what the national statistics tell us.’ Impressive. And, to stress the value of their listings on Private Property, he added, ‘Just Letting on its own achieves 130 000 visits a month.’
Owen Dormehl from Dormehl Property Group was pretty vocal: ‘The virtual tours on Private Property are fantastic. A client walked in and said, “We’ve seen a property on privateproperty.co.za; we want to buy it.” That’s how good those tours are.’ In his opinion, it’s the agent who markets a property correctly who’ll make the sale. ‘My interest is in establishing, for example, a great relationship with Fred Soukop. He has the property; I have the client; we work together.’
Gareth Bailey, CEO of RE/MAX Address, said, ‘Today, it’s about the agents first, then the brand. As times get tough, it’s more about the person you want to deal with than the brand. Belonging to a great brand means you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself.’
Richard Gray is CEO of Harcourts South Africa. He firmly believes that technology is his brand’s competitive advantage. ‘Lots of people are either paying lip service to it, or are in denial. Technology is our trademark,’ he said.
Justinus said technology also makes the industry substantially more efficient: ‘You’re using the same
amount of time and energy, but achieving so much more.’ A grin. ‘Are you ever going to beat a Ferrari when you’re riding a horse?’
Not likely. But by then we were tucking into our delectable sweet trio of chocolate brownies with homemade maple syrup ice cream, vanilla brûlée and lemon tartlet … and we wouldn’t have noticed if a horse had cantered through Plum.
the ProPerty Dinner
The Menu
With Bubbly
Norwegian salmon sushi handrolls
Fishcakes with roasted paprika pepper mayo
Vegetarian sushi handrolls
To Begin @ Plum
Artichoke pâté with olive chutney and
artisanal breads
Next @ Plum
Grilled red fish on quinoa, lentil and baby spinach
The Bull Run Restaurant is famed for its prime cuts of exquisite South African beef – served via it’s own in-house butchery – and an extensive selection of the fi nest Cape wines. Situated near popular nightspots in the upmarket suburb of Sandton, the energy and vibe of the Bull Run caters for any occasion – be it a business lunch,
dinner before a night on the town, or a corporate function.
The local property market has moved � rmly into a stage of recovery. The real estate market will strengthen gradually as the
year continues, as there are many signs to support a measured recovery of the general economy and the local real estate market.
For one, mortgage interest rates are at historically low levels, and house prices are at levels last seen in the early 2000s, and are still decreasing in real terms. These conditions give buyers a great opportunity to secure a well-priced home or investment.
Historically, as lending criteria tightened, so the demand for property fell, and this, coupled with South Africa’s high ratio of debt to disposable income, substantially reduced the ability of people to buy property. The global increase in unemployment numbers and companies’ pro� ts dropping didn’t help matters, and homeowners in SA and around the world found it di� cult to meet their monthly bond commitments, and either lost their homes or fell into arrears. But now, after three years of falling property
prices and lowered demand for real estate, bank mortgage advances are back at levels of 11 years ago. And while they may take some time to recover to the levels seen in the mid 2000s, the worst of the downturn is over.
Knowledgeable investors understand that it is best to purchase at the bottom end of a cycle, where they can take advantage of the favourable market conditions which create ideal investment opportunities for savvy buyers. Added to this is the fact that South Africa has one of the fastest-growing middle-class population segments in the world, which sees new buyers entering the real estate market each month. Home prices and interest rates have also opened up the property market to people who could not a� ord to buy a house � ve years ago and who have been waiting for market conditions such as the ones we have now, where purchasing real estate is a tangible possibility.
On the whole, things are looking up. South Africa has been admitted to the BRICS group, a move that could signi� cantly improve the economy in the future. Large
investment � ows into the country as investor con� dence in emerging economies strengthens and increased tourism numbers since the World Cup, which have resulted in an in� ow of capital, have had a positive impact on the economy. The government has introduced tax proposals in an e� ort to attract multinational companies working to establish a base for their future African networks, and the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Business Con� dence Index has increased from 86,4 in February to 88,3 in March, the highest level since September 2008. All this indicates that the economy has gathered momentum and remains resilient in the face of global events.
When it comes to real estate, our local industry has been somewhat tarnished by recent events, and the latest revelation by the Estate Agency A� airs Board (EAAB) chairman as to the state of the regulatory body appointed by the DTI has not helped.
While the industry has struggled with the EAAB for years, it has still largely managed to regulate itself, led by the ethos and values
of upstanding individuals, companies and real estate groups who have been around for 20 years and more. That a very small percentage of operators does not uphold this level of professionalism, and is highlighted in the media, should not imply that the industry as a whole is bad.
While it is reasonable to assume that not all of the more than 100 000 property transactions that take place annually in South Africa go smoothly, my 40 years of international real estate experience leads me to believe that we have one of the best and most sophisticated real estate industries in any emerging economy across the globe.
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GUEST EDITOR Peter Gilmour
� ere are many reasons for homebuyers and property investors to feel confi dent about buying real estate in South Africa.
residential, commercial, offshore
Peter Gilmour, Chairman of RE/MAX of Southern Africa
WHY THINGS ARE
LOOKING UP
50 | June 2011
RESIDENTIAL Real Estate
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Your Move
‘The homes havebeen designed to maximise upmarket coastal living.’
Secret hideawayLaunched about two years ago but still one of the North Coast’s best-kept secrets, Sovereign Sands at
Blythedale Beach is a prestigious development set on 4ha of secure, prime real estate featuring a splendid
half- kilometre of beach frontage. The estate offers a mix of freestanding homes and duos designed to maximise
upmarket coastal living. These typically have three to six bedrooms, a lounge, dining room and kitchen, a
double garage, basement parking that can double as a storage unit for jet-skis and the like, and an expansive
outdoor deck with optional pool. Several of the homes have internal courtyard gardens. Blythedale’s year- round
subtropical climate makes it ideal for bathing on the protected beaches, surfi ng and diving. There’s even a
ski boat launch site on the lagoon near the end of the village. Sovereign Sands is conveniently close to the
half- dozen championship golf courses in the area, Gateway Theatre of Shopping and Umhlanga Ridge business
precinct, and is just 20 minutes from the new airport. ‘Three-bed frontline duos start at R2 995 000, and pets
are most welcome,’ says Henri Frencken for Sovereign Sands. +27 (0)82 906 5517, sovsands.co.za
Playground revampWork on an extensive upgrade to Bulwer Park in Glenwood is set to commence soon, and is expected
to inject new life into this rather neglected area. In addition to improving security, lighting, ablutions
facilities, furniture and landscaping, the focus will be on forging new relationships with neighbouring
properties, such as the KZNSA Gallery, the KZN Institute for Architecture, Glenwood Primary School,
Stella Sports Club and the Helen Joseph strip, in order to maximise the park’s prime position. Cafés
spilling out onto lawns, an indigenous nursery, new pathways for sports and recreational activities, such
as dog-walking and cycling, a totally revamped children’s playground and an upgrade of the BMX track
are included in the plans. Sustainability is also being addressed through the restoration of biodiversity,
water sensitivity and the use of renewable energy technology. ‘Through this project, the Architecture
Department of eThekwini has shown the benefi ts of close and direct consultation with affected
communities and stakeholders in the positive development of the living environment,’ says City Architect
Jonathan Edkins. +27 (0)31 311 7009, durban.gov.za
� e South African real estate industry will look back on 2011 as a watershed year in its evolution to establishing a professional image. – Peter Gilmour, Chairman, RE/MAX of Southern Africa
Chairman: Lew Geffen of Sotheby’s
International Realty (South Africa)
A property market still struggling to come out
of the recession now has to deal with rising
mortgage applications rejections as commercial
banks further tighten the tap on lending.
Figures show that in the market in which we
operate (the R2,5-million price range), mortgage
applications rejections have increased from
4,4% last year to a double-digit 10%. The banks
are trying not to overheat the market and have
adopted a conservative approach to lending.
In addition, infl ationary pressures are
mounting in the economy on the back of rising
energy costs and food prices, while employment
and consumer confi dence are down in the fi rst
quarter of this year compared with the fourth
quarter of last year. Household credit extension,
including mortgage advances, remained well
in single-digit territory in the fi rst three months
of the year, refl ecting the state of household
fi nances and the resultant ability to take up
credit. Coupled with this is the expectation
of infl ation rising to an average of just below
6% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of this
year, with interest rates currently forecast to
remain unchanged until early 2012, when the
fi rst rate hike is expected.
The banks’ prime and variable mortgage
interest rates are forecast to rise by a
cumulative 250 basis points during the course
of next year to a level of 11,5% by year end.
Growth in house prices may owe its
improvements largely to a depressed base and
not to improving market conditions.
Residential property prices are set to
achieve a muted growth this year in line with
infl ation. This is likely to be at a lower rate than
the level of growth recorded last year; however,
with interest rates remaining at historically low
levels, homebuyers are being urged to take
advantage of the current environment to secure
a favourable home loan.
Lew
June/July 2011 | 51
COMMERCIAL Real Estate
World Trade Centre comes to Africa
Cape Town has become the fi rst city in Africa
to establish a World Trade Centre. Following
a private sector initiative by top business
executives representing 13 countries in sub-
Saharan Africa, the newly established centre
is ready for business. Julius Steyn, CEO of
World Trade Centre Africa, says it functions
as a meeting place where business and trade
activities of various countries are promoted
between private sector entities. It also provides
up-to-the-minute information about trade
agreements between countries. Research
indicates that the compound growth rate for
sub-Saharan Africa will amount to 4% a year
between 2011 and 2020, and the World Trade
Centre aims to facilitate 1% of this growth within
fi ve years, which will come to about $70 billion
(about R480 billion). ‘With the establishment
of a World Trade Centre in Cape Town, an
effort has begun to bring together private
sectors with the support of their respective
governments in the SADC and NEPAD regions
in a politically neutral way to establish a
trade block with the rest of the world,’ says
Julius. World Trade Centre Cape Town is
headquartered at Crystal Towers, Century City.
+27 (0)87 944 4072, wtc.co.za
South Africa’s inclusion in the BRICS group has established a foundation for very proactive commercial growth. – Peter Gilmour,Chairman, RE/MAX of Southern Africa
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Top priorityThe City Architects Department of eThekwini Municipality is piloting an innovative public
precinct management project in Durban’s CBD, focusing on the area surrounding the Albert
Luthuli ICC Complex, Gugu Dlamini Park and City Hall. Project Executive (Sustainable
Architecture), Derek White, says the Priority Zone Facility Management pilot project has
already had an impressive impact on safety and security in this area, with a considerable
increase in the safety of ICC delegates since the project commenced just over a year ago. This
is a result of a combination of visible security patrols, upgraded litter-picking and cleansing
routines, attention to detail in landscape maintenance and new cooperative relationships built
up with all stakeholders in the area. The intention of the project is to protect the municipality’s
investment in high-profi le capital building and streetscape assets by improving the standards
of precinct management in their vicinity using a partnership of city and private sector
expertise and resources. +27 (0)31 311 7009, durban.gov.za
Port potentialDube TradePort, home to King Shaka International Airport, is currently a hive of activity. Investment
opportunities are now available to different business sectors in some of its divisions. +27 (0)31 307 2857,
dubetradeport.co.za
Dube City – Dube City is envisioned as a 24-hour live-work-play development that will accommodate hotels,
offi ces and retail space. There is large scope for the development of corporate head offi ces and professional,
medical, fi nancial/ banking, property and other business offi ces. Phase 1 will include a hotel complex, an event
and exhibition space, conferencing facilities, restaurants, wellness centres and entertainment areas.
TradeZone – The TradeZone, which is directly linked to the airport’s cargo terminal, is a new and signifi cant
development which provides dedicated sites for the import, manufacture and assembly of goods and the
export of cargo. The range of business uses to which it can be put includes logistics, warehousing, light
manufacturing, processing, commerce and consolidation and the handling of high-value cargo. Through the
provision of state-of-the-art airfreight handling facilities, the TradeZone is expected to attract businesses
in the motor components, electronics, high-value goods, clothing and textiles, perishables and value-added
logistics industries.
AgriZone – The AgriZone is an integrated agricultural export zone comprising 63ha of net developable land,
including land for the cultivation of high-value farming produce and the provision of facilities designed to
promote agricultural production and export. Of the available land, 20ha have been developed, and a further
93ha are available for lease from Airports Company South Africa. The AgriZone will benefi t high-yield,
time-sensitive air-freighted horticultural products and will include greenhouses, shade-netting and pack houses.
Potential tenants of agricultural land include local and international producers and agribusiness companies, says
commercial property executive, Mark Beckett.
52 | June/July 2011
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OFFSHORE Real Estate
� e growing stability in some southern African regions means we can look forward to investment in all real estate sectors. – Peter Gilmour, Chairman, RE/MAX of Southern Africa
Malawi mall maniaThe Gateway regional retail mall in Lilongwe, Malawi, is on schedule for
completion in mid 2012. To date, 70% of the space of the R340-million,
17 500m2 commercial development has been signed for or is under
negotiation, and confi rmed bookings are expected to increase to 80% within
the next few months. The Gateway is located in Malawi’s fast-growing
middle-class western suburbs on the intersection of the North-South
Kaunda Road western bypass and the main East-West Mchinji Highway
linking Lilongwe with Zambia. The centre
has been designed to A-grade (including
air conditioning) institutional investment
standards and will be the most advanced
mall of its kind in the greater region.
The project is owned by MPICO Malls, a
subsidiary of the listed Malawi Property
Investment Company, which in turn is a
subsidiary of Old Mutual Malawi. Of the
available space, 9 000m2 will be occupied
by major South African fashion and furniture
retailers. At 3 500m2, Pick n Pay will be
the food anchor. Over 1 000 parking bays
and a taxi rank will be provided. The site
can accommodate a second development
phase, which could include a four-star hotel,
a medical centre and offi ces or a major
standalone DIY goods retail centre, and
discussions with potential tenants are already
under way. +265 99 996 8855,
malawiproperty.com
East African sanctuarySiani Estate, hidden away just off the coastal path between Lamu and Shela,
Kenya, is a 5ha estate brimming with coconut groves and mango plantations, and
it’s there that you’ll fi nd Siani House. Set amid gardens and orchids, the property
comprises a main house with three bedrooms, of which two are en suite, a
two-bedroom guest house and four-bedroom staff quarters with kitchen and
laundry, and is being marketed by Acquire Africa at R29 million. Siani House
is the inspired creation of renowned interior designer and magazine editor,
Marie- Paule Pelle, who over several years has completely renovated, remodelled
and redecorated the original colonial house with African, Indian, Arabian and
European artefacts she collected during her travels. The estate has over 300m of
sea frontage facing the Lamu Channel, and just in front of the property is a beach
cove that’s ideal for swimming and provides safe boat anchorage. It is also just a
few minutes stroll (or a few moments by speedboat) from Lamu town, fashionable
Shela village and the island’s 13km beach. +27 (0)21 794 8128, acquireafrica.com
Interior designer, Marie-Paule Pelle, has entirely remodelled the colonial house.
Austrian wonderlandAdMakers International is marketing an exclusive ski chalet development in the
Austrian Alps. The development, Am Duxer Anger, is situated in the picturesque
village of Hochkrimml along the Gerlos Pass, on the border of Salzburg and
Tyrol. At 1 700m above sea level, Am Duxer Anger is among the highest ski
villages in Austria, making it one of the world’s prime winter sports destinations.
These contemporary two- or three-bedroom ski chalets, priced between
¤160 000 (R1,6 million) and ¤224 000 (R2,2 million), are all south-facing,
perfect for capturing the sunlight and mountain views. The development is
environmentally sensitive and has superior fi nishes, such as granite in the
bathroom and kitchen areas, larch wood fl oors in the living room and bedrooms,
and underfl oor heating throughout. Owners may choose from a variety of custom
fi ttings and furnishings. Am Duxer Anger has direct access to 166km of ski slopes,
and ultramodern ski lifts. In summer, residents can enjoy the lush green forests,
which are full of birds and animals. Other attractions include the incredible Hohe
Tauern national park and the famous Krimml Waterfalls (Europe’s highest), not to
MAGNIFICENT “LANGFORD” MANSION – REDUCED!723m2 4 Beds 4 Baths 3 Lounges Vacu-Maid Underfloor heating 4 Garages Study Pool Jacuzzi Granny flat potential Web ref: 218942On entering, a sense of formality evolves into family comforts, imposing columns, classic even tones & the best in high-end finishes! A mahogany kitchen & magnificent Travertine marble staircase which leads upstairs to oversized bedrooms & bathrooms. Entertainment veranda with cascading pool, Jacuzzi & view. PRIZ MUNDELL (NQF4) 084 240 1130
AN ACHIEVEMENT IN LUXURY510m2 3 Beds 2.5 Baths 2 Lounges Dining room Separate home office or flat 2 Garages Web ref: 239492Elegant & spacious proportions, designed for living life in style! Lavish dining area, complemented by an “eat in” kitchen where family stories & laughter can be exchanged. A master bedroom worthy of its name, with indulgent Cleopatra bathroom which enhances relaxation. Manicured formal garden, with entertainment veranda & social pub room. Happy endings begin here … VARINA ROSS 072 119 3089
A GREAT PLACE TO GROW YOUR FAMILY!267m2 3 Beds 2 Baths 2 Lounges 2 Garages Pool Web ref: 239496This is the ideal place to call home – a large, level garden for children to play safely, it’s a spacious home with good flow allowing ease in entertaining. 2 lounges with feature dual fireplace plus two covered verandas all set in a pet-friendly, secure, gated estate allowing you to live with complete peace of mind.
CHANTAL PATTERSON (NQF4) 082 309 2051
CONTEMPORARY STYLE427m2 4 Beds 3 Baths 2 Lounges 4 Garages Pool Granny flat potential Tennis court Web ref: 219133This recently renovated home will appeal to the growing family! With space to play … pool, tennis court, trampoline and jungle gym … and entertain on the huge patio, this trendy home on an acre has something for everyone.
PRIZ MUNDELL (NQF4) 084 240 1130
COME AND EXPERIENCE THE ENCHANTMENT!350m2 4 Beds 2.5 Baths 2 Lounges Sep. home office/flat 2 Garages Views Expansive entertainment deck Heated pool Web ref: 236841A warm, comfortable family home, with formal lounge, crackling fireplace & sep. lavish dining room. The 2nd lounge has its own entertainment kitchen & built-in gas cooker leading out onto the expansive entertainment deck, with solar-heated pool & treed views across Makaranga Lodge! The cherry on the top is an enormous flat or home office. MICHELE WILSON (NQF5) 083 415 3970
EXECUTIVE’S LUXURY HIDEAWAY417m2 2 Beds 2.5 Baths 2 Lounges 3 Garages Study 2 Dining rooms Entertainment Wine Cellar Entertainment deck Web ref: 232378Peace & privacy will wrap around you. Set right on the Gorge – the breathtaking view will seduce you time and time again. A lifestyle where gourmet opportunities will be shared and the professional can work from home. Custom-built wine room for an intimate dining experience. Views from every room.
BEV JONES 082 466 6838
MODERN DESIGNER SIMPLEX IN PRIME MEADOW LANE AREA335m2 3 Beds 2 Baths 3 Lounges Study Dining room Pool Double Garage Web ref: 239296Luxurious modern unit in small complex with easy access to highway. Open-plan living is at the heart of this home with a gourmet kitchen to delight even the most discerning buyer. Tons of extras to enhance an easy lifestyle.
MICHELE WILSON (NQF5) 083 415 3970
SUPERB OPPORTUNITY FOR BOUTIQUE COUNTRYLODGE OR CHEF SCHOOL – DELUXE MANOR HOUSE!800m2 Manor House with 5 Beds & 4 Baths 4 Cottages 30,568m2 Land 70m2 gourmet kitchen with cold room BBQ & Pizza Oven Web ref: 237922Bring your vision & your banker – turn this superb home into an enviable commercial venture. Loads of space to grow your own produce. With creative vision, the potential is enormous. Stunning outlook over the Drummond Valley. 10 min from Kearsney & 15km from Hillcrest. BEV JONES 082 466 6838
A GENTLEMAN’S RESIDENCE OF DISTINCTIONHouse 600m2 Land 6,725m2 5 Beds 3 Baths 3 Lounges Study Pool Jacuzzi 2-Bedroom Flat Enormous Workshop Web ref: 236845 One of Kloof’s most prestigious homes has become available. Set in a manicured garden with flowing water features & amazing entertainment areas. Solid wood floors, Burmese teak leaded windows with an Anglo-Gothic style are some of the distinguishing features. Separate, new 2-bed flat plus a large workshop area. JOHN NOTHARD (NQF4) 082 491 4447
character home in very good position. cosy lounge with fireplace for those chilly nights. second lounge, dining room, bar and study. 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Gym, security, staff accommodation. Double auto garages.
Unique opportunity to own the Manor House in a secure complex in prime Park lane. loads of character and charm. comprises 4 large bedrooms 2.5 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, studio, pool and double garage.
2 acres with a little forest and stream host this immaculate home, where no expense has been spared. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 receptions rooms, cottage, 4 garages, staff accommodation and pool.
this amazing home will make you feel like you are on holiday in a game lodge. indigenous garden with huge entertainment veranda for outdoor living. 2 spacious lounges, modern open-plan kitchen and a rim-flow pool.
one-in-a-million home with 180-degree gorge views. Ultramodern kitchen and entertainment areas make this glamorous home perfect for families and executives. Work-from-home suite. small, elite security enclave.
lovely and safe family home in an upmarket area. 5 bedrooms, 3 lounges, large open-plan lounge to sunny patio to pool and views down the 5 389sqm of pancake-level land. north facing. separate cottage.
this well-located, 440sqm property offers 4 bedrooms, ultramodern bathrooms and kitchen, two huge lounges, pool, upmarket servant quarters and large entertainment room. Don’t miss a good bet!
Well-appointed, 4-bedroom simplex in a small, sought- after complex with large walled landscaped garden. close to schools and amenities. staff quarters, 2 entertainment patios, double garage and carport.
a beautiful, modern home in a private, quiet cul-de-sac. easy access to schools. Glorious landscaped garden. comprises 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, double garage and full staff accommodation.
