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TOKAI SECURE ESTATES - AMONGST THE MOST POPULAR IN THE CAPE

2011/12/05 12:00:00 AM

The lifestyle offered by secure estates continues to attract buyers all across South Africa – and Cape Town is no exception.  In particular, estates located in the Constantia Valley are highly sought after for their central location, uncluttered, gracious atmosphere and hi-tech security systems.  Pam Golding Properties reports that those located in Tokai, at the gateway to the South Peninsula, have the added benefit of spectacular views of the mountains and False Bay.
 
PGP’s area manager for the Southern Suburbs, Howard Markham, says there are options to suit every pocket, from those seeking lock-up-and-go starter homes, to those wanting to invest in family homes or even large luxury residences.  Markham says sales activity has been quiet but steady over the course of 2011, while the current range of stock includes a wide variety of homes and pricing options.

Steenberg Estate
Set on the oldest farm in the Constantia Valley, Steenberg Estate is the flagship secure development in the area, with 210 residential erven scattered around an 18-hole championship golf course.  Every home has direct frontage onto the fairways, and this, together with the estate’s tall trees, creates a park-like environment where strict design guidelines ensure that all buildings blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings.  The estate currently has over 60ha under vine, and its state-of-the-art modern winery produces award-winning vintages.  Other facilities include the historic Manor House, converted into a luxury hotel, as well as a spa and two acclaimed restaurants – the fine dining establishment Catharina’s, as well as the chic Bistro Sixteen82.

Prices at Steenberg tend to range from around R10 million to R18 million, depending on the size and location of the erven as well as the design of the homes.  Markham says sales in the estate have been quiet this year, with just four sales registered at the Deeds Office as at the end of November 2011 (across all agencies).  However he notes that sales appear to be following their typical pattern of picking up into the final quarter of the year, with PGP having noticed an upsurge in enquiries since October 2011.
 
PGP agent Tina Roberts concluded two sales on the estate in November 2011, at R10.85 million and R11.25 million.  She says the typical buyer profile includes a number of retired couples as well as quite a few foreign buyers.  “The appeal of the Steenberg lifestyle is epitomised for me by one of our clients who sold his property here to emigrate, but stayed away just two years before coming back and buying at Steenberg again,” she says.  “It is in a class all of its own, with gracious surroundings, superb facilities on your doorstep, and outstanding architecture throughout the estate.”

Silvertree Estate
Located alongside the Reddam House school campus, Silvertree Estate is particularly popular with parents whose children attend the school – the estate even has its own private entrance into the Reddam grounds.  This location provides easy access to the Blue Route highway and is also highly sought-after by those working in the nearby Steenberg and Westlake office parks.  The estate has about 180 homes set on plots between 600sqm and 1600sqm in size.  It enjoys state-of-the-art security including the very latest Biometric access control, an extensive CCTV camera network, and 24-hour vehicle patrols which pass every home at least twice an hour.

Prices currently range from around R4.5 million to R14 million, with an average of six or seven sales taking place per year.  Roberts equalled the highest price ever achieved in Silvertree in January this year (2011), when she sold a contemporary four-bedroomed home for R7.8 million.
“Buyers here are predominantly families with children from pre-school to matric level,” says Markham, “although there are also a few retirees.  The estate is simply superb for children, who can leave their bikes out, play in the road in safety, and walk to school without ever leaving a secure perimeter.”

Stonehurst Mountain Estate
Located at the base of Ou Kaapse Weg is Stonehurst Mountain Estate, consisting of the smaller Stonehurst Close with 30 units, and the larger Stonehurst Village with 82 erven.  Established about five years ago, the estate occupies an elevated position backing onto the Westlake Golf Course, and commands sweeping views of the Constantia Valley, the surrounding mountains and False Bay.  It is now beginning to reach maturity, with its gardens well-established, a number of properties currently under construction, and higher than average turnover of both plots and fully-built homes.
 
PGP’s MD for the Western Cape metro region, Laurie Wener, says the highest activity levels are being seen in the estate’s entry-level townhouses, which offer an ideal lock-up-and-go lifestyle for first-time buyers as well as those who travel frequently.  “This estate has its own exclusive lifestyle centre with a gym, pool, bar and function area,” she says, “making it particularly appealing to younger, physically active buyers.”
 
Prices at Stonehurst range from around R2.65 million for starter units to R11.5 million for large luxury homes.  Wener says there have been a number of investment buyers to date, most of whom are enjoying solid rental returns driven by high demand.  “This estate is definitely still a good long-term investment prospect,” she says, “and we expect its popularity will only increase as the final vacant erven are developed.”
 
PGP has sold two properties on the estate this year (2011), for R2.7 million and R3.1 million.
 
Silversteen Estate
One of the smallest estates in the area, and one of Cape Town’s best-kept secrets, is Silversteen Estate, a small development of just 13 homes located on the slopes alongside Ou Kaapse Weg.  Its elevated position provides some of the most spectacular views possible of the Constantia Valley and False Bay.  The estate was developed about 10 years ago, and tends to be favoured by established family buyers, typically aged 40-55.  The exclusivity factor, hi-tech security and outstanding location result in homes typically selling between R10 million and R12 million.

To view homes in any of these estates, or for more information, contact PGP agents Tina Roberts on 082 377 8397, 021 701 0191 or tokai@pamgolding.co.za.  PGP’s area manager for the Southern Suburbs, Howard Markham, can be reached at howard.markham@pamgolding.co.za.

**All prices quoted are actual selling prices, and all sales mentioned were concluded by Pam Golding Properties, unless otherwise specified.

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