The Property Magazine, Kwazulu-Natal, February 2011 issue

Property february 2011

Winner of 9 publishing awards

Est. 2004, Issue 218

kwazulu-natal

decor, trends, luxury, design & real estate

DECOR Pedersen + Lennard: furniture with a twist Ogilvy Durban’s funky dockside warehouse

The house of

steel and glass

9 771811 700007

Songbird Simphiwe Dana’s first home • Real estate heavyweights speak out: What’s really happening in SA • The Midlands awakens from its slumber

11 0 0 2

Guest editor real estate Rael Levitt, CEO, Auction Alliance

RSA R34.95 (incl Vat) Other countries R21.90 (excl Tax)

A Somerset West eco-marvel

Contents

40

FEBRUARY

14 64

THE FINAL TOUCH

64

Four SA designers recommend their must-have room accessory.

LUXURY 18

WIN A three-night stay at Coral International Cape Town, worth R45 000.

48

MALAYSIA Diverse cultures, exotic flavours, natural beauty and luxe hotels.

51

Guest Editor Rael Levitt, CEO

DESIGN

DECOR 19

19

GLASS ACT

13

Some key property investment

Nicholas Hlobo, plus Luci’s

opportunities, from Jeffreys Bay

Unique Antiques.

to Dullstroom.

THE WORKHOUSE Ogilvy Durban’s cutting-edge

54

COMMERCIAL A new mall for Port Elizabeth, the future of retail developments and a new industrial park in Limpopo.

HOT PROPERTY – HOT PLATE

Egg Designs.

40

YOUNG GUNS

under the hammer in February.

Swedish-inspired creations.

shelf right now.

MY KINGDOM FOR A HORSE

58

PROPERTY FUND Acquisitions, predictions and

WATCH THIS SPACE

insight into South Africa’s

Talking interior design with the

JSE-listed, R125-billion

best in the industry.

property sector.

REAL ESTATE 16

A Breede River mansion, premier South African art and antiques go

getaways, plus Chef Michael

HOT PROPERTY – HOT STUFF

AUCTION

Lennard are taking the furniture design world by storm with their

44

56

Luke Pedersen and James

Happening restaurants and

eco- footprint. Turn to page 19.

59

GREEN BUILDING A Green Building Council African

A SONGBIRD’S NEST

Network on the cards, students

Enigmatic jazz singer Simphiwe

take green building to heart, plus

The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is

Dana shares her nostalgia

an SA first as an environmental

awakening from its slumber, but

about her first home in Orange

Special Rating Area is launched

developers are taking care not

Grove, Johannesburg.

to protect Giba Gorge.

to allow this pastoral paradise to become overdeveloped.

61

RESIDENTIAL

history and future, thanks to

The most covetable items on the

13

52

home of steel and glass.

A high-impact house with a low-impact

27

home fabric range, artist

market in 2011.

new Durban warehouse combines

Broughton talks kitchens with us.

ON THE COVER

predictions for the housing

HOT PROPERTY – HOT DESIGN Supermodel Iman’s new

24

of Auction Alliance, shares his

An eco-friendly Somerset West

TRENDS 12

14

THE ROCKY ROAD AHEAD

34

THE STATE OF SA REAL ESTATE

60

OFFSHORE Opportunities in Abu Dhabi, a

SOCIETY

Is the real-estate industry finally

smart eco-city in Cyprus, and

Out and about with the beautiful

recovering? Six industry experts

why now is the time to buy

people in KwaZulu-Natal.

give us the low-down.

property in the UK countryside.

February 2011 | 1

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INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE FURNITURE DESIGN P R O P E RT Y PROJECTS Showroom Union3 Unit 10 Richard Park, 4 Wimble Close Ballito, KZN South Africa www.uinon3.co.za ww Mobile : + 27 82 377 3300 Office : + 27 32 946 3394 Email : clifton@union3.co.za

affordable seating solutions www.chaircrazy.co.za Showroom Union3 Unit 10 Richard Park, 4 Wimble Close Ballito, KZN South Africa Mobile : + 27 82 377 3300 - Office : + 27 32 946 3394 - Email : clifton@union3.co.za O

Property

thepropertymag.co.za Kwazulu-Natal Sales Charles Roets, Jenni McCallum

EDITORIAL Editor Sandy Welch sandy@medianova.co.za

Namibia Sales Mynard Slabbert

KwaZulu-Natal Bureau Chief Anne Schauffer anne@medianova.co.za

Directory Sales Mavashini Naidoo, Obed Sealetsa

Senior Subeditor Yaron Blecher Features Writers Genevieve Fisher, Andrea Firth (Western Cape) AndrĂŠ Fiore (KwaZulu-Natal)

Production Manager Elly Hammersley Traffic & Administration Coordinator Rosemary Pillay

art

marketing

Art Director Warren Uytenbogaardt warren@medianova.co.za

Circulation Director Vanessa Marks

Senior Designer Joanne Uytenbogaardt

Senior Marketing Coordinator Amanda Africa

Mid-Weight Designer Trudine Scannell

Marketing Intern Kehli Sauls

Senior Retoucher Tim Lake

PUBLISHED BY MEDIA NOVA (PTY) LTD

CONTRIBUTORS Tidi Benbenisti, Melanie Farrell, Jackie Gray, Rael Levitt, David Mullany, Joan Muller, Vicki Sleet, Ed Suter Photographers Ruvan Boshoff, Nick Boulton, Angela Buckland, Sally Chance, Anthony Friend, Sam Norval, Natalie Payne, Ed Suter PRINTING

Managing Director Tony Vaughan tony@medianova.co.za PA To Managing Director CherÊÊs O’Reilly cherees@medianova.co.za Associate Publisher (Namibia) Mynard Slabbert mynards@mweb.co.za Finance Manager Laetitia Bothma tish@medianova.co.za Credit Controller Dominique Bendix tish@medianova.co.za

CTP Printers Cape Town

Online Manager Andrea Firth

ADVERTISING

Online Assistant Catherine Riley

sales@medianova.co.za Group Sales Director Shanee Smart

Technology Coordinator Jean-Paul Siljeur

Western Cape Sales Tharien Nel, Zak Swartz

Receptionist Kashiefa Jacobs

Gauteng Sales Candice Bailey, Rui Barbosa, Anine Ehlers, Marc Lahoud, Musi Motsuenyane

Drivers Willem September (Western Cape) Joseph Khoza (Gauteng)

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 GAUTENG 8th Floor, Fredman Towers, 13 Fredman Drive, Sandown, 2196 PO Box 785828, Sandton, 2146; Phone 0861 765 833 Fax +27 (0)11 884 2830 KWazulu-natal Ground Floor, 55 Gladys Mazibuko Road, Berea 4001 Postnet Suite 329, Private Bag X10, Musgrave 4062; Phone 0861 765 833 Fax +27 (0)31 208 5278 Namibia Phone +264 (0)61 248 161 Fax +264 (0)61 245 942 SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Email subs@ramsaymedia.co.za Online magsathome.co.za Local Phone 0860 100 203 Fax 086 670 4101 International Phone +27 (0)21 530 3255 Fax +27 (0)21 531 7303 SMS 41871 with reference ‘Property Magazine’ (R2 per sms) for subscription enquiries EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES General editorial@medianova.co.za Socials Western Cape socials@thepropertymag.co.za Socials Gauteng socials@thepropertymag.co.za Socials KwaZulu-Natal socialskzn@medianova.co.za Hot Property hotproperty@medianova.co.za Published monthly in three regional issues: Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Current ABC Audited Circulation (Q2 2010, April – June) Western Cape – 27 662, Gauteng – 27 976, KwaZulu-Natal – 17 928, Total Nationally – 73 566 Web Stats: Unique Page Impressions – 37 589; Number of Property Club Members – 23 368 Amps Audited National Readership (2010A) 370 000

Property DECOR PEDERSEN + LENNARD: FURNITURE WITH A TWIST

WESTERN CAPE

Property

GAUTENG

Property OGILVY DURBAN’S FUNKY DOCKSIDE WAREHOUSE

OGILVY DURBAN’S FUNKY DOCKSIDE WAREHOUSE GUEST EDITOR REAL ESTATE RAEL LEVITT, CEO, AUCTION ALLIANCE

HISTORICAL

HERMANUS

HOME SOUTH PELHAM

Songbird Simphiwe Dana’s ďŹ rst home • Real estate heavyweights speak out: What’s really happening in SA • Hout Bay: The truth behind the drama

THE HOUSE OF

STEEL

STYLE, QUALITY, SPACE

LOMBARDY ESTATE

We are pleased to announce the launch of our KZN Contracts Division which has been initiated to best serve the tile requirements of Developers, Architects, Construction and Interior Design companies.

For Enquiries please contact our Contracts Manager Shaun SR ˆ email: contractskzn@mallstiles.com web: www.mallstiles.com

AND GLASS

DECOR PEDERSEN + LENNARD: FURNITURE WITH A TWIST

A Somerset West eco-marvel

& Health Spa

Songbird Simphiwe Dana’s ďŹ rst home • Real estate heavyweights speak out: What’s really happening in SA • Hout Bay: The truth behind the drama

Malls Tiles is the largest independent tile distributor in South Africa and carries the largest range of tiles.

KWAZULU-NATAL

DECOR PEDERSEN + LENNARD: FURNITURE WITH A TWIST

GUEST EDITOR REAL ESTATE RAEL LEVITT, CEO, AUCTION ALLIANCE

Quietly Tiling Africa

GUEST EDITOR REAL ESTATE RAEL LEVITT, CEO, AUCTION ALLIANCE Songbird Simphiwe Dana’s ďŹ rst home • Real estate heavyweights speak out: What’s really happening in SA • The Midlands awakens from its slumber

On this month’s covers Western Cape: South Pelham, Hermanus. +27 (0)82 801 5252, hpsrealty.co.za Gauteng: Lombardy Estate & Health Spa, Pretoria. lombardyestate.co.za KwaZulu-Natal: Prime Property – Somerset West Eco-Marvel 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.

CTPprinters

CAPE TOWN

P. LE GRANGE & SEUNS/SONS

medianova.co.za

CONTRACTS DIVISION

ED’S LETTER

A brave new move Photograph Ruvan Boshoff

And introducing … the new-look Property Magazine. Yes, we’ve done some renovations of our own, and we hope you find them as refreshing and inspiring as we do. In the words of Nancy Astor (the first woman to sit as a member of parliament in the British House of Commons), the main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything or nothing. With this in mind, we’ve tried to take the middle road, so that all your favourite elements of The Property Magazine will still be intact, but there will also be so much more.You’ll notice that our pay-off line on the cover has also been changed to read ‘decor, trends, luxury, design and real estate’, to explain more concisely exactly what we are all about. Take cognizance of our fresh new page design, which we’ve aligned with the latest, worldwide, cutting-edge magazine design trends.

I’m really excited to introduce a new concept to the magazine, in which we invite a major industry player to guest-edit our ‘Real Estate’ section. We believe this will add some valuable insight to these pages, and enable some experts to make their mark on our magazine. Auction Alliance CEO Rael Levitt, this month’s guest editor, is one of South Africa’s most innovative businessmen and has managed to take the SA auction industry to a whole new level. We are very privileged to have had his valuable input on the year ahead for property. There is also more enlightenment on this issue from some other prominent figures in the South African real-estate industry, who gave us their in-depth opinions on what’s really going on – it’s a must-read for anyone thinking of investing in property at the moment.

Most importantly, though, we’ve designed the magazine so that you, our readers, can be fully involved with us on an interactive basis.

Use our website links in the magazine to find out more about our stories or view more photographs and interact with us where possible.

The phenomenon that is social networking isn’t going away – just ask Time magazine, which named Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as its Person of the Year for 2010, beating out even WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

With this in mind, we invite you to use our Facebook page to find out what we’re up to daily, and let us know what you like – and what you don’t. The days of passive readership are over!

If you haven’t yet, you really should…

ONLINE SUBSCRIBE Turn to page 39 for our special offer.

VISIT Browse thepropertymag.co.za for the latest features.

FOLLOW US on Facebook and Twitter: facebook.com/thepropertymagazine twitter.com/thepropertymag 0861 765 833

Sandy Welch, Editor

Take your kids to these two great,

Check out Donald Greig

Join the Bascule Whisky Club.

child-friendly restaurants. As a

Sculpture’s new foundry at the

Situated at the Cape Grace, Bascule

parent, it’s always a huge relief to

V & A Waterfront. It gives you

Bar has a collection of over 400

discover restaurants that cater for

the opportunity to get up close

whiskies from all over the world to

kids. ‘Organic’ and ‘children’ are

to the bronzing process and

choose from, and membership entitles

not words that sit well together.

watch the artists at work. Donald,

you to store whisky in a private

That’s why I was amazed to find

who is the fourth generation

cabinet with your own engraved

that green restaurant Eight at Spier

of the Charles Greig Jewellers

name plaque on it, private whisky

is also kiddie friendly. Tiny ‘baby’

family, uses a process known as

tastings, advice on purchases and

hamburgers served in colourful

lost- wax casting, which dates

a personalised cut crystal whisky

buckets, miniature frying pans for little

back 5 000 years. His works are

tumbler. +27 (0)21 410 7082,

fish and chips – it’s clever, imaginative,

world renowned and feature in

capegrace.com

and you might even be able to

some prominent homes around the

persuade your kids to eat something

country. It’s a fascinating place to

healthy! At Knife at Crystal Towers

visit. +27 (0)21 418 4515,

Hotel (pictured left), an authentic

donaldgreig.com

American-style steakhouse, kids get to wear a tiny plastic apron, and choose meals off an animal-shaped chalkboard. Food is served creatively, in pint-sized portions. Eight, +27 (0)21 809 1188, spier.co.za; Knife, +27 (0)21 551 5000, knife-restaurants.co.za

6 | February 2011

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE

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131891EAST 350x290.indd 1

2010/11/11 3:02 PM

You tell us Property involves us all. What’s your

*0,% (

LETTERS

view? Email letters@thepropertymag.co.za FLUSHED

LETTER th

You were very brave to feature an article about that marvellous monument to architectural impracticality and public offence, the infamous Werdmuller Centre, in Claremont. As distinct from sculpture, architecture should inherently be about creating an enjoyable and/or functional space for people. Being kind, I suggest that Roelof Uytenbogaardt considered neither of these aims, but may have designed that ghastly building for his own academic purpose, which was to encourage his students to think unconventionally and take risks.

That the appearance of the Werdmuller Centre (aptly abbreviated to ‘WC’) was unanimously condemned by people on all levels of education and from every ethnic group proved its supreme failure in line and form.

It comparably failed utterly to attract custom for its tenants. To access the above- ground level required of one to ascend an exposed incline surfaced with slippery slate, such that when it rained, pedestrians, apart from getting drenched, had to hang on to the rail in case they slipped. Alternative access was by dingy back stairs almost customised to the needs of muggers. Nearly all the fenestration was implacably hostile towards retail display.

Successful retailing is enormously dependent on position. The logistics of the WC worked as comprehensively repellent to the public, especially to those hurriedly passing through the station.

A really good architect should be able to get away with an adventurous or unorthodox concept, provided the users of the edifice feel comfortable to do their work or shopping in and around it.The WC unfortunately illustrates

of the Mon

the old adage, ‘Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.’ I’m not in the business, but I hugely enjoy your magazine.

Tim Anderson Cape Town

GREAT SCOTT! Greg and I want to thank you for featuring us in your ‘Architect Profile’ in the November issue. Compliments to you and your team for putting together a really well-written article; we have had nothing but very complimentary feedback. Comment has been forthcoming from the ‘right’ people. This again goes to show that you have the people that count reading your publications. Thanks again, and we can’t wait to see you again at the next Property Dinner.

Greg Scott, Director, Greg Wright Architects Cape Town

MAINTAINING AN OPINION Every month I read your magazine with great interest, as property is a passion of mine. You frequently run articles about architects and the role they play. But once all the glitz and glamour of design and construction are over, a property needs to be maintained in order for it to have a long lifespan and look good at all times. This might not be as glamorous a role as architecture, but it is vital to the property industry. It would be great to see an article on prominent businesses in the property maintenance sector, as many readers out there still don’t know how important it is that they maintain their properties properly.

Etienne de Villiers Cape Town

facebook.com/thepropertymagazine

twitter.com/thepropertymag

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HOT PROPERTY

HOT space

Re-treat

An exclusive-use nature reserve where retrieving a sense of balance amid the extreme beauty is wonderfully inevitable.

A

2 t Dalton Private Reserve,

programmes aimed at restoring and

paradise for hire comes

protecting the indigenous vegetation

with a long list of

and wildlife in the area and uplifting the

pursuits and pleasures

local community.

as well as a satisfying sensitivity to environment and community.

Accommodation is offered in three settings: Dalton House, a lakeside

Recently opened to the public, this

cottage and a river lodge. Guests are

3 500ha nature reserve in the foothills

encouraged to choose from a myriad

of the Drakensberg offers a totally

of activities, such as game drives,

bespoke experience.

birdwatching, fly fishing, white water

Satisfaction starts with the work of Words André Fiore Photographs Angela Buckland

1

3

rafting, horse riding and abseiling. More

Richard Stretton from Koop Design,

exotic entertainment includes visiting

architecture that breathes with

San rock art sites, participating in a cull

its own form of relief, a refreshing

and getting hands-on in the interactive

combo of the witty, the eye-catching,

kitchen. You can also indulge in a spa

the utilitarian and the luxurious.

treatment, laze around on the deck

No wonder Dalton won the 2010

or by the fire or relax in the rooftop

Afri Sam/SAIA Award for Sustainable

Jacuzzi as you await your private chef’s

Architecture. Sustainability has been

creations.

further promoted through various

daltonprivatereserve.com

+27 (0)36 352 0100,

4

Visit thepropertymag.co.za for more superb

1

getaway destinations.

interior structures and spaces, using mostly materials and skills available on site.

5

Bushmans River runs through the reserve and is ideal for trout fishing. 2–5Koop designed all exterior and

February 2011 | 11

HOT PROPERTY

HOT PLATE MICHAEL BROUGHTON is the award-winning chef at Kleine Zalze’s Terroir Restaurant.

KZN’s getaway-indulge-and-nibble scene continues to offer new eateries, thought-provoking destinations and cool spots to simply chill.

Here he gives us a sneak peak into his favourite room at home … His kitchen.

Q What do you love most about your own home kitchen?

I love the wide-open space and the open-plan feel. I can cook up a storm and at the same time have eye and voice contact with friends and family sitting at the dining room table or at my kitchen counter. I love the huge wooden work surfaces, with lights directly above the longest of them. I often sit at this counter late at night, perched on a stool, poring over my recipe books, sifting through ideas and waiting and hoping for the next idea to germinate. It’s my favourite place in the house.

Q What are a few cooking essentials all aspirant foodies should have in their kitchens?

You have to have some toys in your kitchen

Storybook setting

to really impress your guests. A digital

You’ve read Wilbur Smith’s ‘Courtney’ series, now set the tomes down and get to Eston for a weekend away

thermometer is my favourite gadget for

in what’s fabled to be one of the fictional family’s homesteads. The recently restored Hilltop Country House on

preparing that ultra-tender pink lamb shoulder.

the Duma Manzi Eco Lodge & Spa nature reserve is a rambling Victorian manor that’s been decorated in the

I cannot live without my stick blender, the

style of that era. With accommodation for 4 to 10 guests (dinner, bed and breakfast), Hilltop Country House is

quickest and handiest tool for whipping,

perfect for parties and family get-togethers. There’s also a pool and a large fireplace, so whatever the weather,

blitzing and puréeing. My KitchenAid takes the

you can get away from it all … Colonial style! +27 (0)33 212 9418, dumamanzi.co.za

stress out of whipping, whisking and mincing.

Q If you had to choose your last meal, what would it be?

I’d start with a glass of Pol Roger Sir Winston

After six busy years, Hotel Izulu,

Churchill 1996 bubbly while nibbling on blini

in Ballito, has replaced its original

with Oscietra and sour cream, then move on to

restaurant with Gigi’s Brasserie. A

simple pasta with loads of langoustines, a little

crystal chandelier, embossed Oscar

chilli, fresh tomato, garlic and a touch of cream.

Wilde wallpaper and a sophisticated

Next: a juicy loin of pink lamb with Parmesan

palette of black, white and silver combine with hints of pink to

and tomato sauce, loads of olives, artichoke, garlic and basil. I’d end off with a few scoops of well-made dulce de leche ice cream.

Q Champagne and oysters or beer and braai?

I have four weaknesses in life: beer, butter, braai and bread. Braaiing is the best way to entertain in summer – good friends, the kids swimming in the pool while watching the sunset, turning the meat, hearing the sizzle … Delicious! +27 (0)21 880 8167, kleinezalze.com

12 | February 2011

WIN

add a fun, relaxed element to this happening 40-seat

Dinner, bed and for two at Hote breadfast 12 February, w l Izulu on Email the name orth R2 460. of in which the ho the province readers@media tel’s located to nova.co.za with the word ‘Izulu’ subject line. Termin the s conditions applyand .

Chin-chin!

venue. A lush garden setting and organic foods are just a few aspects of this five-star hotel’s eco- awareness.

The Brasserie focuses on less-formal, bistro-type cuisine, showcasing the talents

of executive chef Guy Gorrie. +27 (0)32 946 3444, hotelizulu.com

HOT PROPERTY

HOT STUFF

These are our latest picks of fashionable summer goods, to be enjoyed while the temperatures are still soaring.

BEWITCHED BY OZ

TLC on tap

Australia’s favourite retail brand, Witchery, has arrived in South Africa. It’s available from Stuttafords nationwide, and customers can expect a chic shop-within-a-shop at the Gateway branch. +27 (0)31 584 0100, stuttafords.co.za; witchery.com.au

Cool green undertones, rich chocolate accents, a touch of the earthy and an airy ridge make the new Fleur de Lis Spa at Coastlands Hotel, on Durban’s Ridge Road, a very pleasant space. With three treatment rooms (only Matis is used for face and body treatments) and an adjoining hair salon (using Nioxin), the spa is attracting many locals, travellers and conference delegates in need of expertly administered restoration. Expect a full menu of his- and-hers and pregnancy treatments, and some phenomenal packages for teenagers and pensioners too. +27 (0)31 271 8228, coastlands.co.za

Legends alive

The newly opened Rorke’s Drift Hotel, near Dundee, is set to offer guests affordable packages and easy access to the sites of the 1879 Anglo-Zulu battlefields at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift and to other nearby areas of interest. The buildings reflect Zulu and English influences – accommodation takes the form of circular thatched ‘forts’ (with bathrooms en suite), while the decor and finishes reflect the Victorian era. Large decks as well as extensive lounge and dining areas overlook the Buffalo River, all just 800m

PIMP YOUR BUBBLES This limited-edition Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial gift set cannot help but make you smile! Along with a bottle of Moët Rosé, dressed in pink for the occasion, and two special-edition flutes, a gold marker is included for you to personalise the bottle. Available at all leading liquor stores.

from the Rorke’s Drift battle site. +27 (0)34 642 1213, rorkesdrifthotel.com

BAG IT Coveted brand Cartier has unveiled its latest bag. Comprising top stitching, art deco design and plush textures – leathers or woollen fabric – and patterns, the Cartier bag is the epitome of French style and allure. Available in three sizes (large, medium and small), it is a timeless accessory.

Find it at Boutique Cartier Sandton City. +27 (0)11 666 2800, cartier.com

February 2011 | 13

HOT PROPERTY

HOT DESIGN NICHOLAS HLOBO Visual artist Nicholas Hlobo is one of six extraordinary rising artists taking part

Hot on the home furnishings and decor front this month are local and international products to help you add some panache to your pad.

in the international Rolex Mentor & Protégé Arts Initiative 2010– 2011, through which he’ll be spending a year in a mentoring relationship with renowned visual artist, Anish Kapoor.

Q Was there a defining moment in your youth when you decided you wanted to be an artist?

There were no art or drawing classes in my primary school in Transkei, but by the time I was eight or nine years old, I was already drawing. When I was 11, people started telling me I’m an artist. After school I came to Jo’burg, trying to get into music by joining a band, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought, so I let it lie. I worked at a cement factory, but in every spare moment I was sketching. I decided I had to do something different with my life. It was clear I was interested in doing something creative, so I started studying fine arts the following year.

Q Describe your artistic vision.

last. Being South African, and coming from a

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The Xhosa culture doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Referencing it is my way of telling a story – a South African/human story that many have told before – in a way that is fresh.

In doing so, I’m introducing isiXhosa into high culture and art, elevating its status.

I studied him at several points in my university career and admired his work. Before meeting him I decided to simply be myself and take the opportunity to learn a little about him. He was interesting and exciting, and very comfortable

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and confident as an artist. He asked why I

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on antiques. With her years of experience and

had found a direction for my art. I explained

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that people in South Africa thought I had got

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delights that pack the showroom, often giving them

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modern zing by adding vibrant paints or upholstery.

like him, who have a better understanding of

There are regular open days and viewings (almost

the art world and of creating art.

anytime) by appointment. +27 (0)82 784 5143

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14 | February 2011

Compiled by André Fiore and Genevieve Fisher

Q What was it like to meet Anish Kapoor?

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ENTERTAINMENT Out and about in February.

WHAT’S ON Wildseries Three Cranes Challenge Trail Run, 11 February Help save our endangered cranes. Sponsored by Bonitas Medical Fund, this three-day staged track and trail run covers about 100km of road, forest and grassland in the Karkloof area. A night run adds a new dimension of adventure to this challenge. +27 (0)33 343 6380, wildseries.co.za

The aQuellé Midmar Mile, 12 – 13 February This year’s Midmar Mile is particularly unmissable because SA’s own royal-in-waiting, former Olympian and future Princess of Monaco, Charlene Wittstock, will be swimming her first Midmar Mile, to raise funds

AL FRESCO LOVE This starlit Old Mutual Music at the Lake Valentine’s Day Concert opens the Botanic Gardens Concert Series for 2011 with one of SA’s most popular rock bands, Mango Groove, performing in the fabulous lakeside setting. Pack a picnic – something really delectable – and take time out with the special people in your life. Gates open at 5 p.m., so arrive early and watch the sunset while you unwind. Concert from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Check website for early-bird ticket prices. +27 (0)31 309 1170, durbanbotanicgardens.org.za; ticketbreak.co.za

for the Special Olympics in South Africa. Joining her will be long-distance swimmer Lewis Pugh.

0861 643 627, midmarmile.co.za

The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon 2011, 17 – 19 February Record numbers of participants and spectators are expected at the 60th edition of this three-day canoe marathon down the Msunduzi River. dusi.org.za

February 2011 | 15

MY FIRST HOME

A songbird’s

Words Genevieve Fisher

NEST S

wan-like and regal, Simphiwe Dana describes the first house she owned with romantically charged adjectives and phrases: ‘curvy’, ‘roundedness’ and ‘with the smell of jasmine wafting through the windows in spring’. She is talking about her house in the quiet neighbourhood of Orange Grove, Johannesburg, where she lived before relocating to Cape Town for – what else? – love. ‘When I first moved to Orange Grove, I rented a house nearby to the one I bought.

Every day I’d walk past it, and from the moment I laid my eyes on the house, I knew I had to live there. I loved the old- school roundedness of it, and I later found out that it was built by an Italian some 20 to 30 years ago and had been renovated by all the previous owners. I loved the front garden, and when I finally bought it I was pleasantly surprised by the back garden with its pool area and deck,’ she says.

With music being an integral part of her life, Simphiwe feels nostalgic when she thinks of her lively get-togethers in the house.

‘I love hosting people, and the house in Orange Grove saw many evenings of lavish dinners, friends, live musicians singing and playing the piano and, of course, Salif Keita and Busi Mhlongo as background music. My friends and I would

also engage in heated debates. I miss it a lot.’ Simphiwe has a string of accolades to her name, not only for her music but also for fronting a Woolworths’ ad campaign. ‘It was amazing, dancing to Pata Pata with Tata Desmond Tutu and Lucas Radebe – there were good vibes all round,’ she says.

Last year saw the South African Music Awards-winning artist releasing her third album, Kulture Noir, to much acclaim, as well as making the move to Cape Town.

‘I had been in Jozi for too long and needed a change. So when I fell in love with someone who wanted to make a life in Cape Town, I jumped at the opportunity.’ She now lives in Oranjezicht, in a house she describes as ‘not as exciting as my house in Orange Grove’.

As post-production of her live DVD is being wrapped up, Simphiwe says she’d love to spend more time at home. ‘The house I live in now is more modern than the one in Orange Grove, and I’ve painted it beautiful colours. Whereas in my previous house my favourite room was my bedroom, in this house it has to be the kitchen – I absolutely adore it and really should use it more,’ she says.

When asked what inspires her, Simphiwe says reflectively, ‘A concern for the human condition … Of course, starting with my own.’ With these last words, we’re sure that this songbird’s kitchen is only just warming up, and more lively memories will be created at her new nest in Cape Town.

What the agents say Orange Grove is situated 15 minutes from the Johannesburg and Sandton CBDs, and is a very accessible area, perceived as being halfway between the northern and southern suburbs. Mark Goldberg of RE/MAX Central Norwood says the last eight or so years have seen average prices in Orange Grove triple in value. ‘It is also a culturally eclectic suburb with a vibrant mix of people – Jews, Muslims, West Africans and South Africans all live side by side, giving the suburb a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere,’ he says. ‘People living in Orange Grove are not short of things to do. Norwood, renowned for its restaurants and coffee shops, is a stone’s throw away and has an active community policing programme that also serves Orange Grove, accounting for the secure feeling of the suburb. The newly reopened Norwood Shopping Mall is also nearby, while Melrose Arch and Rosebank are only 10 minutes away.’+27 (0)11 853 5400, remax-central.co.za

16 | February 2011

Photograph of house by Hessel Pole. Photograph of Simphiwe by Nick Boulton for Gallo Record Company

Considered to be this generation’s Miriam Makeba, Simphiwe Dana’s belief in love led her to make Cape Town her home.

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ith its white beaches, sunshine and countless entertainment options, Cape Town is the playground of South Africa’s well-to-do and modish.

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Dramatically located in the historic suburb of Bo-Kaap at the foot of Table Mountain, Coral International Cape Town exudes understated luxury and style. From the oversized high-back chairs at Al Nafoora restaurant and the black grand piano contrasting with the light marble floor to the black and white wallpaper with just a hint of gold, the decor is simply beautiful. The elegant, plush interiors and excellent facilities are topped with the very best of everything, including personalised service and breathtaking views.

The rooms and suites are generously proportioned and provide a relaxed ambience, and with amenities such as 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton linen being provided, you’re guaranteed the best sleep in the city. Facilities include a fitness centre and salon, a Mercedes or Bentley for airport transfers as well as valet, childminding and butler services on request.

There is something to satisfy every sense, from sight to sound, touch, smell and, above all, taste. The hotel’s mouthwatering cuisine ranges from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern to authentic North Indian prepared and served in the traditional manner in the hotel’s signature restaurant, Mezbaan. Al Nafoora offers all-day dining in an outdoor area on

tree-lined Buitengracht Street, while the Al Zaeem Shisha Lounge and Restaurant recreates the tradition of Middle Eastern meze and shisha. And don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth at Patchi Boutique Chocolatier, which is situated within the hotel. +27 (0)21 481 3700, coral-capetown.com *Prize includes: • Domestic flights from Johannesburg or Durban • Airport transfers • Breakfast daily • Two dinners valued at R500 each (one dinner at the hotel’s signature Mezbaan Indian Restaurant and one dinner at the hotel’s Al Nafoora all-day dining restaurant or Al Zaeem, including shisha) • VIP treatment (including a welcome hamper and Patchi Boutique Chocolatier hamper).

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18 | February 2011

PRIME PROPERTY

Glass act Architect Vernon Head has turned a seemingly impossible dream into reality for a visionary young couple by building them an eco-friendly home out of steel and glass.

Words Melanie Farrell Photographs Adriaan Louw

Lighting was one of the crucial considerations in the design of the home, and at night the house comes alive.

Some of the key architectural elements can be seen in the main living area – ‘glass walls’, split levels and huge sliding doors that let in the light.

PRIME PROPERTY

T

he house doesn’t give much away from the road: a low- key boundary wall and some low- pitched roofs is all that is visible. But enter the sliding front gate and you’re in for a surprise: at eye level is a dramatic glass bridge that links the two sides of the house, giving you a clear view across False Bay. The Vernon Head-designed home in Boskloof Eco-Estate in Somerset West is a high-impact house with a low-impact eco- footprint. When the owner discovered the eco-estate five years ago, he and his wife fell in love with it.

‘Our dream was to build a house that was completely integrated with the surrounding fynbos,’ says the owner.‘We bought a 1 100m2 plot with magnificent views and we drove around Cape Town for two months looking at building sites with inspiring designs and found one with Vernon’s name on it. When I took him to the site for the first time he was in awe and absolutely silent for about five minutes. He enjoyed the 360º views, listened to the abundance of birdlife and said: “I will build your dream house!”’

‘Our brief to Vernon was simple, if contradictory,’ the owner adds. ‘We told him we wanted a glass house that was completely private. We wanted to make the most of the scenery and views, but we are very private people, so we didn’t want to be overlooked by our neighbours.’

Architect V ernon Head says, ‘The owners told me they wanted a glass-and-steel house that met the eco-estate’s strict design guidelines and gave them complete privacy.

I also had to work with a steeply sloping plot. But this is where creativity comes into architecture. If you give me a flat plot without any restrictions and just say, “Build me a house”, it doesn’t challenge me.

‘I went with a classic Cape Dutch H-plan but I gave it a modern twist. The H-plan enabled me to create two private courtyards, one at the front of the house and the other at the back, for entertaining. By doing this I was able to give my clients their all-important privacy and make extensive use of the “wow” factor that comes from using glass as a structural material.

‘When you walk along the glass bridge between the two sides of the house you feel as if you’re walking outside. The use of glass also gave me the scope to do inventive things with lighting because there are so few solid walls within the house to block light. At night

the house really comes alive. Lighting, for me, is a crucial element in design. A house must be designed for day and night; good lighting will draw your eyes to features outside the house when it’s dark,’ says V ernon.

‘I used the sloping plot to my advantage,’ he continues. ‘It gave me the opportunity to work with different levels in the house.

I like to use split levels, where there is double- volume room to define spaces, in keeping with the German concept of “Raumplan”. For example, in the lounge and dining area, which is double volume, the lounge is sunken so as to distinguish it from the dining and kitchen area. I also built a “false chimney” to help define the living areas (the eco-friendly biofuel fireplace doesn’t need a flue).’

The extensive use of glass “walls” within the private courtyards creates a unique interaction with the outdoors. When the weather is fine the 3m-high sliding doors in the main courtyard are pulled back to

Temperature control is a consideration due to the extensive use of glass, and Vernon has allowed for this in his design. Standard safety glass has been used in the construction, while see-through blinds are used to regulate the temperature.Vernon has also placed small windows at the side of the big panes of glass to allow for a throughflow of air. ‘The house is constructed in a north-west direction, which allows the living-area wing to utilise the sun in winter to warm it while the bedrooms stay cool. In summer – thanks to small ventilation windows, block-out blinds, soft fabric curtains, roof overhangs above the main bedroom and the high ceilings in the living area – the hot air is allowed to escape.

Only one air-conditioning unit was installed, in a back room where the baby sleeps, for consistent temperature control.’

‘With almost all glass panes being sliding doors, the house can open up entirely to embrace the indigenous garden. We have the feeling of being in nature all year round,’ says

‘Our brief to Vernon was simple, if contradictory: we wanted an eco-friendly glass house that’s completely private.’ remove all barriers to the outdoors. The owner laughs. ‘It’s a bit like luxury camping,’ he says.

The house has ample accommodation for the owner, his wife, their two-year-old daughter and newborn son and the owner’s two kids from his first marriage. There are five bedrooms, most of which have en-suite bathrooms and sliding doors to the outside, as well as a playroom. The master suite has a magnificent open-plan bathroom and bedroom and the bath sits on a pedestal above the bed with a panoramic view of False Bay. ‘This is where my wife likes to enjoy a sundowner,’ confides the owner. ‘I prefer the shower – it allows me to enjoy the magnificent views.’

The size and scale of the house have been extended to include custom-made doors that reach from floor to ceiling. Clean lines are everywhere, from the tall mirrors hiding builtin cabinets in the bathrooms to the floating staircase leading to the second floor.

the owner. ‘As a family we love the outdoors and enjoy camping. It was always our dream to be living in harmony with nature, waking up in the morning and hearing the birds and having guinea fowl and buck walking on our grounds. With the almost-seamless inside/ outside flow of the house, this was made possible.’

Coloured glass has been used throughout the house as wall cladding, providing colour that is in keeping with the extensive use of glass. For example, the guest bathroom has electric-blue glass walls, and a dove-grey glass panel in the kitchen has been used as a splashback above the sink. ‘Glass is a great material to use as a wall finish as it reflects light. Dark glass can act as a mirror, making a room appear bigger that it is,’ says Vernon.

The house also has windows in some unexpected places: in the kitchen there’s a low window above the sink; another window is at foot height in the dining room, where it frames restios growing outside. ‘Windows

placed at unusual heights can act as living art,’ explains Vernon.

He adds, ‘I encourage my clients to use environmentally friendly finishes in their houses, so for this house the owners found recycled wooden parquet flooring. They wanted a wooden floor as opposed to hard tiles, and I don’t like using endangered woods in the houses I build, so the parquet – some of it originally from Parliament – is a nice compromise.’

‘We like the fact that with all the modern glass and steel of the house we have an older element in the aged wooden floors,’ says the owner. ‘It balances the hard edges.’

‘My wife and I had all the furniture custom made, from the 7,5m-long curtains to the glass-enclosed bathtub and from the kiaat- wood wall unit in the lounge to the floating wine gallery,’ adds the owner. ‘We tried the conventional route, but it just didn’t feel right. The house needed interesting yet minimalist design to highlight all the special features Vernon had come up with.’

‘I like to advise my clients on garden design too,’ says Vernon. ‘I’m the vice- chairman of Birdlife SA and I believe that architecture doesn’t have to destroy suburbia. If indigenous plants are grown it is possible to create a green corridor for wildlife, even in built-up areas. Your garden can be a mini nature reserve.’

The owner adds, ‘My wife did all the landscaping and designed the indigenous garden herself. Plus we’re surrounded by the beautiful preserved fynbos of the estate.

We’re fortunate in that there is a green belt both behind and in front of the house. This gives the impression that our garden is much bigger than it is in reality.’

Vernon has made it his mission to redefine green luxury housing. ‘I believe that there is a demand for luxury green homes such as this one and therefore I have formed Livissimo Future Homes to cater for this market. It is possible to build high-end, eco-conscious homes using smart technology.

This house has various environmentally friendly features, such as a standard solar geyser, but I am looking into building homes using photovoltaic cell technology in roofs and windows. Livissimo homes will use natural light and ventilation, incorporate rainwater and grey-water systems and have LED lighting. This will enable houses to be almost self-sufficient and have a much smaller eco-footprint than the luxury homes currently being built.’

Visit thepropertymag.co.za for a look at other

With thanks …

extraordinary homes across the country.

Vernon Head Architects, Vernon Head, +27 (0)76 569 1389, info@livissimo.de

February 2011 | 21

‘We like the fact that with all the modern glass and steel of the house we have an older element in the aged wooden floors. It balances the hard edges.’ 22 | February 2011

PRIME PROPERTY

Opposite Recycled parquet flooring softens the modern lines of the minimalist kitchen that flows effortlessly into the dining area. This page, clockwise from top left The master suite with its magnificent open-plan bathroom; the glass-enclosed bath tub rests on a bed of pebbles, while the shower is unenclosed; views across the pool to the sea; one of the private courtyards, ideal for entertaining guests or soaking up the summer rays.

February 2011 | 23

workplace

Words Anne Schauffer Photographs Angela Buckland

The

workhouse This dockside warehouse exudes a raw energy that’s part history, part blood, sweat and tears.

Ogilvy Durban harnessed it, with a little help from some friends.

24 | February 2011

WORKPLACE

P

oint Road. Mahatma Gandhi Drive. There it is, up there on the left – a long, thin, vertical slice of blood-red paint encasing a black door. It’s Ogilvy’s advertising agency in Durban. Opposite are the docks, with all the complex fascination they hold for us – people and goods constantly on the move, massive ships manoeuvring into the port, the thuggish power of tugs, the odd pleasure boat, cars and containers, familiar names and foreign flags. It’s mesmerising.

Of course, all of this could be a major distraction for the Ogilvy team upstairs, where vast windows facing onto this ever-changing scene invite in the light as much as they do this naval filmstrip; but it isn’t. It’s part of who they are, where they are. For the designers of this workspace, it was essential to integrate the agency into the environment rather than take a voyeuristic stance, so they’ve retained, even accentuated, much of the warehouse.The docks are clearly the inspiration behind the design.

Ogilvy has always been up and around the Berea. With the expiration of the branch’s lease in Berea (King Dinizulu) Road and the team’s weariness of what they

drily term ‘urban decay’, the recurring breaches of security to person and property, MD John Gale juggled the wave of office options, then: ‘What about the Point?’ What about it? Fact is, much as the ratepayers and investors would like it to be different, few are progressive enough to commit to this precinct.

The Point hasn’t quite lost its ‘Hell Run’ image, even though, ironically, it has an impressive safety record. Age-old perceptions die hard, but John was prepared to entertain the prospect.

As Greg Dry of commissioned designers, Egg Designs, says, ‘The basic idea was not to be a typical ad agency’. So the Point worked for them on that level. It also offered creative, expanded spatial opportunities, a significant factor in their decision to move.

John’s initial impression of the building was simple: ‘Very decrepit old warehouse

Opposite Enter the heart of the agency – still the vast warehouse, but with a quirky, functional layout to suit its new needs. This page, top left to right Ogilvy red; container offices inset with glass so as to retain the open-plan concept, invite in the light, yet provide quiet, private corners. Middle Up the staircase from Mahatma Gandhi Road. Below Neat staff lockers with one of Ogilvy’s out-of-the-box mottoes.

February 2011 | 25

workplace

Above left Angles, lines and shapes accentuated by the strength of the light flooding in from the harbourside. Bottom left to right It’s all in the detail; playtime at Ogilvy, as MD John Gale tries his hand at foosball; found dismembered under the stairs, he has been reconstructed and given a new lease of life.

with potential. The clincher was the staircase coming up off the street. We loved that.’

It was 2008 when Egg Designs began its relationship with the warehouse. ‘Obviously the building is king – it’s a listed one – and we addressed the interior space primarily from the location of the building within its surroundings.’ The warehouse was largely a vast vacuum, and Egg avoided the predictable choice of carving up the space with drywalling, partitions and carpet tiles.

Both John and Greg are the first to admit that the global economic meltdown affected the budget dramatically. The essence of Egg’s initial concept is clearly there, but the detail has been pared down. In a sense, a smaller chequebook forced Egg Designs to think outside the box. In addition, Ogilvy International had just circulated a memo about upping the agency’s green consciousness, so recycling and reworking existing materials fitted everybody’s bill.

As Greg says, ‘For us, it’s always about concept first, so that didn’t alter – it was about the location. The fact that the building is set in that old part of Point Road, with its chequered history, was the springboard for design.’The boardroom is a case in point.The location inspired a rather opulent boudoir or bordello, a dominant lifestyle element of the area – rich red curtaining and floral carpets with scroll-feminine copper-plated furniture details are a quirky surprise for clients.

John’s ‘very dilapidated’ translated into the building’s requiring a new roof and some means of filling the huge holes in the floor.‘It would have been easy to lay carpet tiles,’ says Greg,‘but the need to express the honesty and

history of the building was more important.

Old planks were sourced and holes filled with resins. They aren’t perfect, but that’s part of the charm. We selected certain walls to chip and expose the brickwork, which not only added warmth but also exposed the history behind the layers of plasterwork.’

The facade overlooks the docks and harbour, providing the impetus for Egg Designs’ bringing the outdoors in.

Containers were installed as offices within the warehouse. ‘We used packaging pallets and crates, stripped the nails and screws, machined the timbers and laminated them to make tabletops, seating, desks, reception counters and so on – all old, yet new. We sourced weathered old doors as boardroom doors, and the office chairs are inside shells left exposed and raw,’ explains Greg. He enjoys the term ‘reductionist approach’.

Egg Designs worked closely with John to determine the flow of this double-storey, double-volume space, effectively describing how an agency functions – 36 people in about 780m2. Integrated into the design is generous chill space, from the long refectory table and pub to the deck at the rear of the building and the rooftop deck, which begs for a 360º party to match the view.

The space is vast and open, cleverly skirting an open-plan environment, and providing privacy without overt barriers.

Light pours in, iconic Egg Design pieces swing or sing, ships pass in the night and day and, of course, Apples are everywhere. On so many levels, Ogilvy’s got the point. +27 (0)31 334 5600, ogilvy.co.za; +27 (0)31 783 4953, eggdesigns.co.za

‘For the designers of this workspace, it was essential to integrate the agency into the environment rather than take a voyeuristic stance, so they’ve retained, even accentuated, much of the warehouse.’

26 | February 2011

the NEIGHBOURHOOD

My

kingdom for a horse

The bucolic byways of KZN’s Midlands are waking at last from their long slumber – but this time the developers are doing it by the book.

Words David Mullany Photographs Sally Chance

This page A herd of Jerseys doing the Midlands moo-cow thing near Mooi River … that is, absolutely nothing.

February 2011 | 27

the NEIGHBOURHOOD

A

horse trots into a bar and orders a beer. The barman slides the brew across the counter and says, ‘Why the long face?’

Ja, it’s an old joke, but it’s also absolutely true. I know: I was there when it happened.

The bar in question was the pub at the legendary Nottingham Road Hotel, aka ‘Notties’. We’d come to Notties from Durban for the weekend and were sinking a few frosties in KZN’s oldest pub when our conversation was interrupted by the clatter of hooves on the wooden floorboards. We turned to behold a rather large horse being led into the bar by its owner – a young, grinning Midlands farmer. He spoke to the barman: ‘I’ll have a brandy and Coke and the usual for the horse.’

The man behind the bar that day was an itinerant Welshman who’d been touring SA, stopped for a meal at the pub and ended up staying for good. He was a hunchback, so naturally we called him ‘the Gnome of Gnottingham Road’. He handed a pint glass to the farmer, who held it against the nag’s muzzle as the horse downed the beer in a matter of seconds. The regular barflies didn’t even bother to look around. A horse in a pub was perfectly natural to them.

Life’s like that in the Midlands, the land of moo-cows, manure and Old Natal Money

boundaries of the Midlands Meander – the eat, drink, buy or just chill out community of artists, potters, crafters and, yes, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers, who have turned the region into one of SA’s top touring destinations, that is: from Hilton to Curry’s Post, Karkloof and Mount West on the right of the N3 highway to Johannesburg, and, in the west, the chain of habitations along Route R103 … Dargle, Lidgetton, Balgowan and Fort Nottingham to Nottingham Road – the region’s unofficial capital. Next comes the hamlet of Rosetta and finally Mooi River in the north. If the Midlands has a heart – in the physical sense – it has to be Nottingham Road. The town centre looks like a nuked garbage dump, but it’s what surrounds it that counts … The Notties pub, the iconic Rawdon’s Hotel with attached brewery, boutique hotel spas like the five-star Fordoun, the Brookdale Health Hydro, trout fisheries, guest lodges, B & Bs, cafés and restaurants (there are 57 eateries in the central Midlands alone), the usual art, craft and antique suspects and, more recently, Gowrie Village and the adjoining Gowrie Farm and Golf Estate, a mixed-use commercial and residential community at the entrance to the town.

These latter developments have breathed new life into the central Midlands, but

‘He handed a pint glass to the farmer, who held it against the nag’s muzzle as the horse downed the beer in a matter of seconds.

The regular barflies didn’t even bother to look around …

Life’s like that in the Midlands.’

– and some of the most beautiful scenery in all South Africa. Lakes, valleys and meadows, groves of gum trees and forests of pine clambering up the hillsides. Plus a necklace of galleries, potteries, antique shops, country delis and places with kitschy-cute names like Toad Hall or Piggly Wiggly. This is a place where life’s normal rules don’t apply, a place populated by fiercely independent and eccentric characters with pioneer blood in their veins. In this bucolic Ruritania the pace of life plods along pleasantly like the herds of dairy cattle that, along with tourism, represent the area’s major industry.

The day-tripper droves were once a weekend event; today the influx has become permanent as more city dwellers quit the rat race for a less stressful life in the boondocks.

As a result, the Midlands has become a desirable property region in its own right.

In terms of property potential, the modern Midlands is defined roughly by the

happily it’s happened on a much smaller and more measured scale than elsewhere in the province.

Property specialists agree that a major driving force behind the property surge in the Midlands has been provided by well-off parents whose children attend the region’s prestigious schools – the famous-again Michaelhouse at Balgowan (think Spud and Patrick Lambie), Hilton College, Treverton College and Weston College at Mooi River and Clifton Prep and King’s School at Nottingham Road.

Notes Peter Greene,principal of Meander Real Estates in Nottingham Road, ‘There is an increasing trend for families to purchase property in the area while their children attend one of the local schools. Also, many newcomers set up home here with wife and kids in daily residence, while Dad the businessman commutes weekly from either Durban or Johannesburg.’

Opposite Young visitors make friends with the climbing goats at Lavender Trout, a rustic complex of arts, crafts, food, antiques and collectables near Balgowan. This page, top right The imposing main gallery of world-renowned Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio at Caversham.

Bottom right Off the wall … Funky al fresco decor at Lavender Trout.

February 2011 | 29

The NEIGHBOURHOOD Peter says Gowrie Village and Gowrie Farm & Golf Estate have changed the nature of property investment in the area.‘They have established a central development core in the Midlands. A number of other residential estates have also been developed over the past eight years, ranging from 9-unit clusters all the way up to the 134 sites in Gowrie Village.’ V acant plots in Gowrie Village range between R300 000 and R900 000, while built houses cost between R1,8-million and R4-million. Of the village’s planned homes, 70% have been built, and the project also includes a small commercial component with 25 shops and service outlets. On Gowrie Farm, land prices range from R800 000 to R1,6-million, with houses priced from R4,2-million to R6,2-million. Gowrie’s Pietermaritzburg-based developer, Guy Smith, says 10 of the homes are permanent dwellings, while the rest are second homes owned by out-of-towners.

Other developments in the region include Rawdons Country Estate (14 stands), Eaglecrest Wildlife Estate (38), Oakbrook Estate (10) and Mziki Estate (9). Proposed projects include an expanded Rawdons Estate and Hillside and Windspur – all within the Nottingham Road Village node.

Interestingly, the estates have proved attractive to residents from Hillcrest closer to the coast, mainly because their little village has been turned into a cluttered and ugly strip-mall-cum-office-park by rampant overdevelopment. Will the Midlands ever end up like ‘Hellcrest’?

Not likely, says Peter. ‘Land west of Nottingham Road was sold to a developer and plans were passed for a shopping centre.

But the developer had finance problems, and it’s doubtful anything will happen in the short term. On the positive side, most of the new developments have been done tastefully and with sympathy to the region’s country ambience.’ Peter says the past decade has seen a handsome increase in property prices. ‘Many Michaelhouse parents paid the school fees from the boosted value of their weekend property. The most expensive stands at the 2003 launch of Gowrie Village was R190 000; today, this stand would sell for R550 000.’

Liz Fischer, principal of Harcourts Lifestyle Country Estates in Rosetta, runs one of SA’s most unusual agencies – it’s in an old glass-fronted church overlooking a river flanked by weeping willows. Liz says, ‘People are relocating from the cities to give their young families a rural lifestyle. Nottingham Road has enjoyed a significant growth

period; now it’s Rosetta’s turn – thanks to the new Spring Grove dam, due for completion in 2013.’ While some properties close to Nottingham Road have been rezoned and developed, Liz says official restrictions on rezoning agricultural land have curbed any runaway development. ‘Access to water is always a problem. While a 20ha property can support a single dwelling with a borehole, you’re going to have a problem if you try to fit a dozen houses on the same property.’

Liz says current prices in the central Midlands run from about R750 000 for 3 000m2 of land to R6,5-million for similar sized land with a home on it.

The affable owner of the Notties, Clive Foss, also handles hospitality at the Gowrie Estate clubhouse. He says, ‘I don’t think there will ever be malls here. We don’t have the population to support these massive investments. Historically Nottingham Road never had a residential area. This occurred only with the development of places like Gowrie, Eaglecrest and Mziki. Farmers cannot sell to developers because it’s extremely difficult to get agricultural land rezoned. People are buying large farms for the gracious old homesteads and then leasing the land back to neighbouring farmers – very much a win- win situation.’

Developer Guy Smith is a ‘complete fanatic’ when it comes to the principles of New Urbanism, the philosophy that favours mixed-use developments with offices, retail and residences within walking distance of each other. Similarly, the architecture must take its cue from the region and contribute to the area as a whole. To this end, Guy ensures the residential component of Gowrie Village is strictly controlled via limitations on the type and size of homes on various plots. The neighbouring 380ha Gowrie Farm features a golf course, clubhouse and four trout dams, while 280ha of open land are still worked by the original farmer. Now Guy is busy on his newest project – Garlington Estate, near Hilton College. It too is a mixed-use project, with scope for 340 units together with offices, coffee shops a driving range and 70ha of open space. More than 180 of the properties have been sold, most varying between 380m² and 1,4ha. Prices start at R250 000, going up to R1,8-million.

Liz Fischer sums up the Midlands lifestyle as follows: ‘We enjoy a wonderful rural environment – fresh air, no stress, little traffic, relaxed, friendly people, plenty of space and relatively little crime.The only negative I can think of is that I forget to pay attention to traffic lights when I drive in the city.’

Top left to right The Midlands area is rich with wildfowl; Clive Foss runs the legendary Nottingham Road hotel. Middle and bottom right Two homes on the books of Meander Estates: a typical Midlands bungalow on 24ha of paddocks and grazing land at Kamberg,

With thanks to …

yours for R4,5-million; and a R5,5-million home on Siteka Estate at Curry’s Post that just about

Gowrie Estate, Clive Foss, +27 (0)33 266 6151, gowrie.co.za

has it all, including a French Provencal kitchen and a garden sweeping down to a large dam.

Harcourts Country Lifestyle Estates, Liz Fischer, +27 (0)33 267 7545, harcourts.co.za Meander Real Estates & Gowrie Village, Peter Greene, +27 (0)33 266 6456,

Visit thepropertymag.co.za for more information

meander.co.za

on the top neighbourhoods in South Africa.

30 | February 2011

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With its contemporary, chic setting and stunning views over the Indian Ocean and harbour, Docklands Hotel is perfectly positioned to cater for the diverse needs of all its guests.

32 | February 2011

Sleep easy All 83 rooms in the hotel are impeccably designed. Every aspect of the amenities and decor has been carefully considered to reflect the urban redevelopment of the area while embracing trendy, modern tastes. Docklands Hotel is a breath of fresh air in terms of hotel design. The bedrooms are perfect for the business traveller – they are well lit and have all the required technology on site,

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PROMOTION

delegates and guests. There’s secure visitors parking as well as a large central courtyard for breakaway sessions, and team-building opportunities abound at uShaka Marine World and the nearby uShaka Beach.

The perfect wedding Even the most discerning bride will find something to suit her tastes here. The Dockside Function Venue is the third largest in Durban, and with its exposed roof trusses and large bay windows, it’s perfect for weddings of 280 guests, while the Shoreside Function Venue offers comfortable seating and a dance floor, and is well suited to smaller, more intimate weddings of up to 100 guests.

Opposite Docklands Hotel marries urban chic with old-world charm. This page, top

Fun in the sun The beach is just minutes away from Docklands Hotel and offers every water and beach sport imaginable, while uShaka Marine World is just three minutes’ walk away.

The courtyard at Docklands was transformed into a glamorous tented venue for The Property Magazine’s KZN edition’s fifth anniversary. Left and above Restored Victorian walls complement the industrial look at Wodka, where The Property Magazine’s VIP guests delighted in the cuisine of Executive Group Chef Greg Henderson.

Fine dining One of the biggest drawcards of the hotel is Wodka restaurant, which is attracting Durban foodies in droves.

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The restaurant’s decor adds to the hotel’s trendy vibe. Restored raw brick walls from the Victorian warehouses blend comfortably with the industrial decor, creating a sense of glamour, and huge sheer windows create a feeling of spaciousness. Meals can also be enjoyed in the airy courtyard.

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February 2011 | 33

INSIGHT

34 | February 2011

INSIGHT

Words Thabang Mokopanele and Sandy Welch

The State of

SA REAL

ESTATE

The Property Magazine posed some probing questions to six of the country’s leading real-estate industry players. Here’s their take on everything from coping with the recession to dealing with BEE compliance and government training requirements.

February 2011 | 35

INSIGHT

The panel Peter Gilmour, Chairman, RE/MAX of Southern Africa Samuel Seeff, Chairman, Seeff Property Services Andrew Golding, Chief Executive, Pam Golding Properties Lew Geffen, Chairman and Co-Owner, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Berry Everitt, CEO, Chas Everitt International Property Group Keith Wakefield, CEO, Wakefields Estate Agents

T

he past 12 years have seen the South African real-estate market boom and bust, but never lose its resilience compared to its global counterparts. While 2009 was a particularly bad year for the industry, with the number of registered agents dropping from 80 000 to 36 000, 2010 seems to have seen some more positive movement. To date, SA real estate is worth R4- trillion, with the residential property market taking the majority share at R2,12- trillion (IPD). But there are some major challenges facing the industry. Here’s how some of the captains of industry plan on meeting them.

How is your company faring at the moment?

Peter Gilmour: Although 2009 was a bad year for us, things definitely turned in 2010. Sales are up by 40%, and in October we had our best sales month since 2007. The upper end of the market has slowed because of people’s price expectations and credit limitations, but the middle market – in the price range of R1-million and R2,5- million – is strong, particularly in Gauteng, which has outperformed Durban and Cape Town.

Samuel Seeff: In general, 2010 was a better year than 2008/9, and we are now proceeding along the X-axis of an L-graph, which I believe will continue well into 2011.

At the height of the property boom there were 40 000 property transactions being registered at the Deeds Office each month. In 2010 the average was 16 000/month. There was certainly greater demand than in the previous two years, due to interest rates being at their lowest levels in 35 years, but this did not translate into finalisation of sales, because of the banks’ far stricter lending criteria.

Andrew Golding: I am very satisfied with the performance of our group in the current environment. In 2010 we saw our number of sales increase by 20% off the 2009 lows, and this in an environment where house price values have, at best, remained flat. We are anticipating achieving sales turnover of approximately R12-billion for the financial year ended February 2011.

Lew Geffen: Our brand aims at a very specific market where the average price point is R2,5-million and our clients, in the main, are professionals. This category of the market has done exceedingly well

over the past two years. At the end of 2008, we saw sales volumes drop by 50%. In the 2008 – 2009 year, property sales volumes increased by 48% on the previous year and in the 2010 year-to-date we have seen a further increase in volumes of sales of 30%. I’d say house prices in this market have increased modestly by about 7% since the beginning of this year.

Berry Everitt: The year 2010 will be remembered as the year in which stability returned. We saw the number of competitors declining, so were able to sell more and keep our costs firm, and our profits for financials for 2010 were positive. Our agents have adapted well to change, and we have managed to secure quite a few agents from other companies, enabling us to increase our market share in certain suburbs.

Keith Wakefield: The KwaZulu-Natal market picked up by around 23% in 2010.

There are buyers in all price segments of the market, although the highest demand and the most activity is in the affordable segment, from R400 000 to around R1-million.

However, there has been very little increase in property prices, and in many instances there is still a lot of overpricing.

How many agents and offices do you now have compared to 2008, and what is your target here for end-2012?

Samuel Seeff: We have had very little fallout in terms of our offices and agents. In 2010 we increased our presence in Jo’burg South, Bedfordview and Edenvale and in Hillcrest and Kloof in KZN. There has also been a number of changes of ownership of existing licences, but we’ve kept the footprint across SA the same.We are currently at about 1 200 agents, slightly down from the peak of 1 300 in 2007/8. We currently have in excess of 220 offices nationally.

Peter Gilmour: At the end of 2009, we ended the year with 1 400 agents. At the end of 2010, we were up to 1 700, which percentage-wise is the biggest growth of agents for the past 10 years. The last time we grew so much was in 2001. We sold 20 new franchises in 2010 and saw the growth of nearly 300 agents. In terms of the RE/ MAX family, it makes us as the biggest growth

‘The drive to professionalise the industry has been accepted as good for all involved.’

Samuel Seeff, Chairman, Seeff Property Services

36 | February 2011

region percentage-wise in the world out of 70 countries. Seeing that the industry regressed as a whole in 2010, we are very proud of this.

Berry Everitt: To date we have 840 agents, and at the end of 2007 we had over 1 000. Most of those who left were lower-level agents.

Andrew Golding: The Pam Golding Property Group has just under 300 offices at present – a figure that has not varied much in recent years. Staff complement is currently approximately 2 500, having been reduced by about 500 in 2008, at a time when the market saw sales contract sharply.

Lew Geffen: Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty has increased its national footprint by 12% since the recession. The company is on a growth path in 2011 and over the past three months we rolled out four franchise operations.

Keith Wakefield: Wakefields Estate Agents currently has 390 estate agents of which 75 are interns recruited during the year. During the downturn Wakefields did lose a number of estate agents including those who retired. The company fared better than others because it is an independent real-estate company that is able to provide a support system for its agents and because of its internal training.

What have you been doing differently to cope with the recessionary climate?

Andrew Golding: Having been in the industry for more than 30 years, we’ve observed that each downturn in the market has some similarities to previous downturns, as well as some new features. We have focused on sticking to what we know – the marketing and sales of the country’s premier real estate through service excellence. We have also focused on key aspects, such as training, and are constantly introducing marketing innovations, including the use of new media.

Samuel Seeff: First, externally, we have needed to counsel sellers regarding their pricing expectations. Many property sellers are still holding out in trying to fetch 2007 prices, and we have needed to steadily adjust these perceptions. Second, internally, as we have always had a lean operational model, we have been fortunate in that we have not needed to make too many adjustments to overhead and personnel. We have used this opportunity to cement some key positions in the group.

Berry Everitt: One of the strategies we followed was to make sure we understood the meaning of the word ‘stakeholder’. Our communication was well managed and we created an environment in which it was easy

INSIGHT for our agents to provide quick and relevant information to our customers. Our national advisory councils helped guide us through the tough times, so we could best service our customers.

Peter Gilmour: Training has been a big priority. Over 600 agents have gone on a real-estate course I brought in from the US. We have positioned ourselves very strongly in the distressed property space and created a special department to work purely on this sector. About 15% of sales in 2010 were distressed, and our banking partners indicate that up to 40% of all sales in 2011 will be distressed.We are launching a course to teach our agents how to deal with distressed sales, from helping people to keep their homes to dealing with the psychological implications.

Lew Geffen: It’s the age of technology and social networking. Information is giving us

‘In terms of the RE/ MAX family, RE/MAX of southern africa is percentage-wise the biggest growth region in the world out of 70 countries.’ Peter Gilmour, Chairman, RE/MAX of Southern Africa

challenge is one that has to be solved and all stakeholders are currently engaged in finding workable solutions.

Peter Gilmour: We have a Level 4 BEE rating as a company, which I believe is the highest in the real-estate industry. We now have over 250 agents of colour, and we have 25 franchises either owned or managed by black agents. We are very focused on this

‘The year 2010 will be remembered as the year in which stability returned.’

Berry Everitt, CEO, Chas Everitt International Property Group

better insight into what is happening in the marketplace and where we need to hone our skills, and it identifies our client base. Case in point, one of our agents sold a home to the lead singer of the Parlotones, Kahn Morbee, by accessing Facebook.

Keith Wakefield: More than representing a successful, long-standing family business and our values, the backbone of the brand is service to our clients. Being a wholly owned real-estate company rather than a franchise is a strength and has many advantages that further underpin service and client confidence. The current economic climate and the challenge it has thrown at estate agents is a case in point: our managers and directors bring their vast experience, including that of previous downturns, to bear on the business.

How BEE compliant are you?

Andrew Golding: The unfortunate reality is that despite many industry players’ efforts, transformation in the residential sector has been slower than desired. Given the commission-only based remuneration structure that the industry operates on for agents, it is very difficult to attract new black talent when other industries offer a less-risky alternative. This is further compounded by the current recessionary state of the market and the fact that the barrier to entry in the residential real-estate industry has been raised with the introduction of a new curriculum for estate agents. The transformation

issue, and have been selling in areas where no one wants to do business. We are positioned and focused to take transformation forward from 250 to 500 agents of colour next year.

We will be running training programmes to help and mentor new and existing agents.

Lew Geffen: We are trying our best to transform our company. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry at the moment is that the barrier to entry is so stringent that we are getting far fewer applications from all race groups than ever before. Still, we are establishing innovative programmes that go right to grassroots to promote transformation through our training academy, The Learning Institute, to focus on developing black entrepreneurs.

Samuel Seeff: We are not BEE compliant at this stage, but we are looking at understanding the requirements of the Property Transformation Charter (PTC) and assessing our situation accordingly. At one stage the company had roughly 15% people of colour in the workforce. This has been

‘It’s the age of technology and social networking. we sold a home to the lead singer of the Parlotones by accessing Facebook.’

Lew Geffen, Chairman and Co-Owner, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty

February 2011 | 37

INSIGHT reduced dramatically with the downturn of the economy. I believe that the main benefits we will see coming through will be far greater mentoring and assisting of those previously disadvantaged who are coming into the industry.

Berry Everitt: We are ambassadors and proponents of the PTC, and while we believe it could have had slight practical changes, we have however, made provisions in this department, because we believe it’s positive and necessary. We have 108 companies, so from a scorecard perspective, each has to achieve targets. We are focusing on aligning our scorecards and making sure all the pillars are adhered to. It has been one of our biggest priorities, but has been difficult to achieve in the recession.

Keith Wakefield: More than 50% of Wakefields Real Estate consultants are black and 70% of our consultants are female.

How are the government’s RPL qualification for the realestate industry affecting you?

Samuel Seeff: Most agents and principals who wish to remain in the industry will have completed their Recognition of Prior Learning requirements by the end of 2011.

The drive to professionalise the industry has been accepted as good for all involved.

Berry Everitt: I hope that Seta has enough moderators to cope with it, because it is behind schedule. I’m comfortable we will meet the goal though, because the majority of our agents have done the course, and over the next three months a lot more are scheduled to go through. It’s good to have a standard, although I have to caution that academia doesn’t necessarily create salespeople. It’s all about having the right attitude.

Andrew Golding: In 2000 we established the Pam Golding Training Academy – one of the first institutions to become a Services Seta-accredited training provider, and accredited to offer the new NQF Level 4 certificate qualifications introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry. At the start of 2009 we introduced a comprehensive training programme by incorporating the new curriculum within our own training programme and our process of accreditation

‘in 2010 we saw our number of sales increase by 20% off the 2009 lows, and this in an environment where house price values have, at best, remained flat.’

Andrew Golding, Chief Executive, Pam Golding Properties of all PGP agents. All agents will have completed the RPL programme nationally within the deadline of December 2011.

Peter Gilmour: I foresee this causing the number of registered agents to drop off even further towards the end of 2011. Getting the whole industry qualified by the end of next year will be a big thing, seeing that to date only about 25% have completed the qualifications. Will there be enough trainers available? On the positive side, at least by 2012 all agents in the industry will be qualified and the standard of service delivery will be raised.

RE/MAX is currently investigating having all its courses recognised as official training.

Lew Geffen: Our agency is on top of it.

All our people are qualified through our Learning Institute, but I am still worried about the lack of future entrants.

Keith Wakefield: We have registered the Wakefields Training Academy with the Services Seta and appointed Lindsay Gartrell, the first assessor in the country to be registered with the Services Seta for the real- estate industry, to ensure that all our agents meet the new required qualification.

As many as 80% of Wakefields’ estate agents have successfully completed the course, while the remainder are finalising their studies.This has clearly refocused their knowledge and improved their professionalism.

What effect will the new consumer Act havE on industry?

Samuel Seef: In general, the legal advice given has been that the transaction between buyer and seller will in all likelihood not fall within the realms of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). But estate agents will need to be far more focused on ensuring that their marketing to their clients falls within the ambit of the Act. Estate agents have to comply to the code of ethics according to the Estate Agency Affairs Board, and many of

these provisions that regulate our behaviour are found within the Act and as such should not present too much difficulty in the way the industry operates.

Berry Everitt: From a consumer point of view, it’s a world-class act, but I believe it simply follows on from the code of conduct of the Estate Agents Act, which our company already follows, so it won’t be a big change.

I think it will mostly affect developers, and agents selling developments will have to be aware of the new clauses.

Peter Gilmour: The Act impacts our franchise agreements, so we have already worked on changing these. Other than that, I don’t think it will affect us too much. We already get sellers to disclose any problems they are aware of in the house and sign it off to avoid any comeback.

Lew Geffen: It’s good for the industry, as long as it doesn’t go overboard in terms of restricting advertising to the extent that all puffery is challenged by the consumer.

Genuinely misleading advertising is out of the question. In terms of pricing parameter advertising, it should be allowed because it is an invitation to do business and is no different to the auction business.

Andrew Golding: Agents will need to ensure that their mandates comply with the provisions of the CPA and take cognizance of, for example, the consumer’s rights to plain and simple language, and include provisions for a cooling-off period where applicable. Agents also need to ensure that their direct marketing practices comply with the requirements of the CPA. Keith Wakefield: There may be some implications with regard to mandates but these will be clarified on publication of the regulations.

Where do you see the future of the real-estate industry, and

‘More than representing a successful, long-standing family business and our values, the backbone of the brand is service to our clients. ’ Keith Wakefield, CEO, Wakefields Estate Agents

38 | February 2011

how Do you see the way you do business changing over the next five years?

Keith Wakefield: The future of real estate is positive due to the new education requirements, which I believe will result in a more favourable public image, something that is well overdue. There may be fewer agents going forward, but those who remain will be knowledgeable professionals able to provide excellent service to the public. As far as we are concerned, we will continue recruiting in 2011 and are in a strong position to recruit rookies because of the training we offer.

Samuel Seeff: I believe the next two years are going to be tough in terms of trading, unless the banks relax their stringent lending criteria. So we need to ensure that we focus on doing ‘the basics’ well. Technology will play an increasingly important role.

Berry Everitt: I’m not looking as far ahead as five years – the industry is too dynamic for that. I’m planning for the next 12 months, but we review and reassess all positions every three months and take short- term interventions. Our structures are pliable, and we create an environment in which people feel comfortable by providing the correct access to data and systems and focusing on making sure our business model is not one or two dimensional but flexible for what’s required.

Peter Gilmour: I have lots of expectations for next year, although I think property demand will remain flat for most of the year.

I see the number of distressed properties increasing significantly. I believe 2011 will mark the beginning of accelerated BEE transformation in the industry and that the South African property market and the economy as a whole will largely be governed by external forces over the next 12 months, including move towards currency strength by emerging markets and the continuing recessionary climate in Europe and the US. Service delivery and transformation will become paramount to success.

Andrew Golding: There are many expansion plans, locally and internationally, and in particular on the African continent.

We plan to add about 10 to 20 offices a year for the next few years, depending on specific market conditions. This is likely to represent an increase of between 150 and 250 new agents per annum.

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DESIGN

Much has been made of the relative youth of Luke Pedersen and James Lennard, but there’s no denying their fresh look at form and function has timeless appeal.

‘We want to be known as a design house rather than carpenters.’

Luke Pedersen

40 | February 2011

DESIGN

YOUNG GUNS Words Vicki Sleet

Photographs Anth

ony Friend

‘OUR DESIGNS ARE ABOUT THE PLACE WHERE HAND MEETS MACHINE.’ James Lennard

Design duo James Lennard and Luke Pedersen have found a niche with their practical furniture designs, including the Bucket Stool (front), which has become practically iconic.

February 2011 | 41

DESIGN

m

eeting James Lennard and Luke Pedersen at Field Office, their new showroom and coffee stop in a gritty east city street, I find the industrial space a fitting stage for their contemporary, Scandi- influenced pieces, many of which feature an element of recycling. I recognise their iconic Bucket Stools from the get-go. They’re just as striking in real life as in the many pictures I’ve seen in local decor magazines, and Luke happily explains that the product has been developed in conjunction with a township- based metalworker who manufactures each zinc bucket by hand, delivering them by the bakkie load, ready for their reincarnation as a coveted style statement. The buckets have certainly helped the Pedersen + Lennard star to rise – it was the first product they released, and so far they have produced in excess of 200. In fact, a shipment bound for Paris has just left, says Luke.

Sitting at a table that’s part of their Ingvar range (inspired by the designs of Swedish super-brand IKEA and named for its founder, Ingvar Kamprad, aka ‘the father of flat-pack furniture’), I get the low-down on these two 20-somethings who met at the then Cape Tech in the industrial design faculty, went their separate ways to travel and study abroad and met up again to hone their skills and create a workable business model and fully fledged design studio.

Pedersen + Lennard was launched 18 months ago, and in a relatively short time

the duo has garnered an enthusiastic response from the marketplace, getting orders from architectural firms, hotel designers, retailers and a number of interiors experts keen to add a sense of pared-down chic and an element of surprise to the spaces they’ve conceived. ‘We’re still a little surprised at our relative success, but we’re pleased that our commitment to designing things our way is being met with such enthusiasm,’ says Luke, who is the ‘front of house’ arm of the business, with James something of a brainiac behind the scenes, devising computerised ways to eliminate wastage from laser-cutting and managing the manufacturing and production process in their Salt River factory.

explains Luke, the son of a practically minded pastor who bought his tool-mad son his first hacksaw at the age of two. Laughing, Luke says, ‘My mom used to collect all her broken appliances and take them with us on holiday.

It would keep me busy for the whole time we were away.’

For James, with both his father and grandfather in architecture, his departure from the world of bricks and mortar was perhaps unexpected, but it has made all the difference. ‘I often ask my dad his opinion about different designs, and he has even started commissioning some of our work for different projects, so we’re connected on that level,’ says James who’s also spent time

‘There’s a distinctly utilitarian signature to their work, and a strong focus on clever storage solutions.’

The pair were group project partners during their studies, a time both spent immersing themselves in the how-tos of a myriad manufacturing processes, and though they have clearly defined roles in their business, they work closely together on the design and format of their products.

‘My family is originally from Denmark and James’s dad is an architect, so that probably explains the Scandinavian influence and the strong emphasis on form and function,’

in a forge learning the craft of metalwork in his desire to understand the process behind design rather than just the finished product.

The pair started off as they mean to finish: first, they are committed to producing items that have some level of eco-pedigree, and though this can add to the price, they’re adamant that ‘made in China’ has no place in their world; second, they’re sticking to their guns. ‘We want to be known as a design house rather than carpenters,’ says Luke,

citing Michael Graves, Ross Lovegrove and Tom Dixon as inspirations. ‘Those designers are sought after because of their approach to design, and that’s how we’d like to be known,’ says Luke..

Their Ingvar range is an exercise in sustainable South African pine, while one of their newest offerings, the Elizabeth wardrobe, makes use of oriented strand board, usually a ‘behind the scenes’ product, but, says James, ‘we really liked the textured look of the wood and it’s great to work with – after a light sand it’s totally smooth and very beautiful’.

There’s a distinctly utilitarian signature to their work, too, and a strong focus on clever storage solutions, no doubt also influenced by their ages. Like many of their contemporaries, they live in relatively small spaces, and finding furniture that’s both easy on the eye and hard working is no mean feat.

‘For transportation and practical reasons, a lot of our designs are flat-pack, which added a whole new design challenge to things which we really enjoyed. Our designs are about the place where hand meets machine and our challenge is to make this practically and financially viable,’ says James.

Each of their 35 seating, lighting, storage and table designs is a neat, practical solution to an everyday problem. I imagine that in an increasingly complicated world, demand for such products will rise. Pedersen + Lennard couldn’t be more perfectly placed. pedersenlennard.co.za

Pedersen + Lennard’s designs have an unmistakably Scandinavian streak to them. Like IKEA, their furniture is at once simple, practical and beautiful. Among their furniture solutions are (from left): the Elizabeth wardrobe, made from oriented strand board; the plywood-based, Formica-topped Ingvar café table and dining chair; the Tree coat rack; a TV trolley; the unambiguously named Three Shelves; and the stunning, pared down Strand couch.

42 | February 2011

ASK THE EXPERTS

Photographs Val Adamson Hair and make-up Make-up Your Mind Shot on location Riverside Hotel & Spa | riversidehotel.co.za

44 | February 2011

ASK THE EXPERTS

We invited the top professionals in interior design to divulge this year’s hottest trends.

WATCH THIS SPACE February 2011 | 45

ASK THE EXPERTS

ANDRE KLEYNHANS LIVING

WE-ST INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR

JENNIFER JONES INTERIORS

WE-ST INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR

Andre Kleynhans

Carla Strachan, Joint Founder

Jennifer Jones, Owner/Founder

Judi Wells, Joint Founder

Tell us about the most exciting interior design projects that you’re currently working on or have completed in the past year.

We have recently finished a magnificent home in Durban North, where the clients and I reshaped the look of the interiors as well as landscaped the garden. They gave me carte blanche when it came to certain design aspects, which allowed me to fill spaces with some extraordinary pieces. One of them is a chandelier I commissioned for the double-volume entrance hall, with 450 swooping resin swallows suspended from the ceiling.

Explain briefly how this project exemplifies your company’s approach to delivering interior design solutions.

I love designing interesting pieces that push the boundaries of the manufacturers I work with. Although this process can be trying, it always results in unique pieces.

What are the most popular interior design trends and brands currently?

Bigger and bolder pieces rather than vast collections of thimbles. And a sense of place – local designers are doing some incredible work and working with local artisans is an effortless way towards greener design and living.

Describe your dream interior design project.

First prize – an unlimited budget and absentee client. A small boutique hotel in the middle of nowhere would be a great second prize!

What makes your company one of the best in the business?

We have an understanding of space and how to use it efficiently and creatively.

Tell us about the most exciting interior design projects you’re currently working on or have completed in the past year.

We’re currently working on a few diverse projects, from a new commercial development at Riverhorse Business Park to designing extra accommodation for an extended family at their weekend getaway home. We’ve just finished with the rebranding of a firm of attorneys in Durban North, thereby uplifting their corporate image.

Explain briefly how these projects exemplify your company’s approach to delivering interior design solutions.

Most importantly, we listen to our clients and try to come up with innovative ways of interpreting their needs to suit their lifestyle/image and budget.

What are the most popular interior design trends and brands currently?

What are your trend forecasts for 2011 and beyond?

I believe that layering is definitely going to be one of the key trends, but it’s all about keeping it simple with monotones. Wallpaper will be popular for accent walls; natural fabrics and indoor plants will also be prevalent.

Describe your dream project.

Designing and decorating an island home.

What makes your company one of the best in the business?

The fact that after 15 years in the game, I still personally work with each and every client on all aspects of design and concept and oversee the jobs through to installation. I am known for my flair and diversity and the attention to detail that goes into every project. My quality standards are higher than ever before and I take pride in after-sales service.

Tell us about the most exciting interior design projects you’re currently working on or have completed in the past year.

This year has seen such diverse projects completed – from a luxury Italian-inspired holiday home and a magnificent neoclassic home that we are still busy with to a traditional farmhouse in Swaziland.

What are the most popular interior design trends and brands currently?

Monochromatic palettes, particularly in the silvers and greys, are still coming through strongly. They are wonderful to work with, allowing for accents, whether through pattern or colour. I will always believe in the principal of investing in a good base for your decor, with timeless basics and really good quality furnishings, so that one can ring the changes down the line just by changing some accent fabrics or colours.

Describe your dream interior design project.

A grand old palace with endless rooms in which to play out all the fantasy rooms that live in my head!

What makes your company one of the best in the business?

So often interior designers intimidate people. Clients imagine we have to be flamboyant and over the top and that we are only interested in doing expensive interiors. This is not so – even if it is just a case of choosing a floor tile for a guest bathroom, no job is deemed beneath us.

Tell us about the most exciting interior design projects you’ve completed in the past year.

Revamping new offices for a firm of young attorneys was exciting.

Consulting on a home in the Eastern Cape was also fun – it is always great being called back to a client who loves something we have done.

What are the most popular interior design trends and brands currently?

I am always a little nervous of the word ‘trend’. I don’t think we should design something because someone tells us to. Each interior should be something a client will love and something that reflects his or her personality. I really think we need to be mindful of our planet. I have had great fun recently designing lighting with power-saving in mind and I just love anything with solar power. I will also never use timber that doesn’t come from a sustainable source, and I am all for ‘local is lekker’!

Describe your dream project.

An unlimited budget and the words ‘You are the designer; go for it!’ would be my ultimate dream.

+27 (0)83 619 0326 | akliving.co.za

+27 (0)82 655 6848 | westinteriors.co.za

+27 (0)31 312 3380 | jenniferjonesinteriors.co.za

+27 (0)72 226 1260 | judi@westinteriors.co.za

46 | February 2011

ASK THE EXPERTS

LEE MOON INTERIORS

DESIGNERS ON DISPLAY

O LÀ LÀ! INTERIORS (BALLITO)

Lee Moon, Founder & Owner

Megs Tweedie, Organiser

Schanè Anderson, Founder/Owner

What makes your company one of the best in the business?

I have the exceptional ability to interpret clients’ needs by listening to them. I offer personalised, one-on-one service, a turnkey service from concept to completion, and I have the ability to work with existing precious possessions.

Tell us about the most exciting interior design projects you’ve completed in the past year.

I have recently completed the interior design and decor of a four-storey office block in Seychelles. I am currently busy with a new home in Cotswold Downs, where I am working very closely with the architect. I truly believe this symbiotic relationship will result in the most perfect home.

What are the most popular interior design trends and brands currently?

I tend to stay away from trends as they are forever changing. I prefer to focus on timeless/classics. However, I do encourage ‘eco-friendly’, which is very important right now!

Where I will incorporate trends is in the accessories, such as cushions, lampshades and small ornamentation, which can be changed, but you are always left with a stylish and classic ‘basic’.

For 2011, I see a more homely look together with softer pastels, which offsets the grey/charcoal in fashion now. Remember, if you plan on keeping a trend, hoping it will do a full circle, it never does. As with fashions, when they do return there is always a tweak to the new style!

What makes your company one of the best in the business?

Designers on Display is the only show combining decor and landscaping in a live environment in a stunning estate or gracious mansion rather than a static exhibition hall. It’s a superb platform for the designers to showcase their talent and styles, with no restrictions on their creativity.

Tell us about the most exciting projects you’ve completed in the past year.

We hosted Designers on Display at the Pearls of Umhlanga – a completely different and very contemporary project with exciting new designers. We also launched a stylish Web-based directory, Everythingforthehome.co.za, listing everything to do with decor, landscaping and lifestyle. It enables prospective clients to search for competent professionals.

What are the most popular interior design trends and brands currently?

I don’t profess to being a trends forecaster, but in my view, it is not a prescribed thing – it’s more about being discerning and beautifying homes with a personal identity by using glamorous fabrics, colour and texture and by working within the client’s budget.

Describe your dream project.

Successfully launching a superior South African decor and landscaping TV show called Designer Lifestyle, with excellent sponsors, cameraman Rob Oakley and a hand-picked team to rival all previous shows.

What makes your company one of the best in the business?

Besides the fact that we are an approachable, talented, reliable, dedicated and friendly team of creative fairy godmothers with 20 years of good standing behind us? Must be our superior service and quality delivery, on time, every time.

Our mission is to personalise every breathing space and reflect the owner’s loves, travels, collections, tastes and styles.

Tell us about the most exciting projects you’re working on.

The Grange Guest House in Durban North, as well as numerous high-end residential projects on the North Coast. We are currently working on a 28-bed, five-star private boutique hotel on the South Coast.

Explain briefly your company’s approach to delivering interior design solutions.

We only work with (warm, wonderful and lovely) people we like (seriously) and concentrate on giving them the solution, look and ambience they want.

We love intelligent design and Proudly South African mixed with earthy and international flavour, and have designed and installed successfully across borders, cultures, genres and budgets. Successful execution requires hands-on project management – which our team also happens to be really good at!

We are also a proud Corporate Member of the Institute of Interior Design Professions (IID).

+27 (0)31 266 3752 | moondec@mweb.co.za

+27 (0)82 772 7247 | megs@designersondisplay.co.za

+27 (0)32 946 0641 | ballitointeriors.co.za

DURBAN FACTORY AND SHOWROOM 46 Buro Crescent, Mayville, 4091 Tel: +27 31 208 4418 / +27 31 207 2868 Fax: +27 31 207 2869 E-mail: leisure@eastcoast.co.za PIETERMARITZBURG SHOWROOM Cnr Victoria & West Street, Pietermaritzburg Tel: +27 33 345 9805 Fax: +27 33 345 9901

w w w. l e i s u r e l o u n g e . c o . z a

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Day-to-Day Luxury Malaysia offers a vibrant, exciting and world-class holiday experience without the usual stresses of international travel.

Words Tony Vaughan Photographs courtesy YTL Hotels

48 | February 2011

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Opposite The architecture at Tanjong Jara Resort is based on that of ancient Malay palaces. This page A huge beachfront Anjung Room overlooking a private garden and the ocean.

‘The philosophy of the resort is as unique as the resort itself.

It is based on the Malay concept of Sucimurni, which emphasises purity of spirit, health and well-being.’

February 2011 | 49

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Clockwise from top left The Nelayan Pool is adjacent to the beach, near the Spa Village; take an easy stroll along the pristine beach fringing the resort; the free-form pool by Teratai Terrace, where in the evening you may enjoy cocktails and a private dining experience and take in the views of the South China Sea; loungers and umbrellas entice guests to the pool, where refreshments are served at the pool deck.

H

ave you ever stopped to think how tiring south-to-north travel is? Even if your budget allows a flat bed, it’s at most four hours of disturbed sleep. Sure, it’s the same time zone as South Africa (or close), but realistically you still feel whacked and weary for a couple of days.

And have you then considered that you are leaving South Africa – with our beautiful, uncrowded coastline and affordable restaurants – to travel to a European destination that is more expensive, seriously crowded and often tacky?

So when we were invited to visit Tanjong Jara Resort, on the east coast of Malaysia, and were sent the itinerary, I was immediately excited.

A day flight – and you thought those were reserved for a Johannesburg to Cape Town hop or vice versa – fewer hours on- board than on a flight to Europe and the opportunity to get in some extra sleep

with a nap or two, after enjoying the amazing hospitality (read ‘wine’) provided by the Malaysian aircrew.

Arriving early in the morning and after adjusting for the time zone difference, we found the idea of jet lag was as far from our senses as the smell of European fish and chips.

After the short 45-minute flight to the resort (you may also opt for the luxurious 4-hour chauffeured drive through the beautiful countryside, with a stop or two to sample local delicacies) we arrived on the eastern side of Malaysia at Tanjong Jara Resort.

Situated on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, between Kuala Terengganu in the north and Kuantan in the south, the resort itself is built on a 17ha site, some 8km west of the river town of Dungun.

The staff greet you as though you were their only guest, after which they take you through the usual check- in procedures …

of course with a difference – a 15-minute back massage that makes swiping your credit card for the inevitable extras far less painful.

Taken through the amazing gardens on the short walk to your suite, you see that you are perched alongside an amazing sandy beach with palm trees leaning towards the sea as if seeking a refreshing dip.

As is often the case with Asian resorts, space is generous, from the balcony and bedroom to the living area and luxurious bathroom. With bedrooms finely appointed with luxury linen and those pillows that just keep on giving, you are treated to a suite experience to rival the best Europe has to offer – yet at a rate that is significantly more affordable, even for the South African rand.

The resort offers 99 rooms designed in the architectural style of a typical 17th-century Malay palace, with clean lines, an emphasis on local woods and the employment of local traditional trades. The philosophy of the resort is as unique as the

resort itself. It is based on the Malay concept of Sucimurni, which emphasises purity of spirit, health and well-being. Authentic in the staff ’s extraordinary service and attitude – always warm and welcoming – it is an environment that allows you to let go, relax and take time to rediscover yourself.

Dining doesn’t disappoint either, with several restaurants catering for your mood, appetite, time of day and location, from beach to pool to fine-dining venues.

The Di Atas Sungai restaurant (the name is Malay for ‘Above the River’) offers an unconventional treat. There’s no menu.

Guests are guided by the resort’s Menu Masters, experts in local cuisine, who provide a distinctive dining experience using only the freshest produce of the highest quality.

Dragging ourselves from hammock or pillow, we returned to the airport and looked forward to our return journey – this time a night flight – and to lying back and dreaming of our next Eastern excursion.

All about YTL Tony travelled and stayed courtesy of YTL Hotels, a group that offers magical boutique experiences in Bali, Phuket, Malaysia, China, Japan and the South of France. These idyllic destinations fall within the ‘Private Client’ listing of The Roving Ambassador/Tourism Corporation Africa. The company’s preferred tour operators offering packages to YTL Destinations include: Thompsons Holidays, Sure Tours and Travel with Flair.

The Roving Ambassador, +27 (0)21 426 0991, therovingambassador.co.za

50 | February 2011

T ES U G R O IT ED L el Ra itt ev

Real estate

residential, commercial, auction, property funds, offshore, green building

AHEAD

It’s going to be a tough year, but keen investors should keep their eyes on properties below the R1-million mark.

T

he good news is that many of Auction Alliance’s predictions for 2010 were spot on. In December 2009 we stated that 2010 would be a tale of two halves – pre- and post-World Cup. And so it proved to be. First quarter results were significantly up as buyer sentiment was heightened by the upcoming event. Despite high levels of crime and a still-shaky economy, South Africa proved the sceptics wrong.

Many people predicted a glory period for property sales after the World Cup, but not us. We said that the second half of the year would be more challenging, that house price growth would be limited, with complications left by the last decade’s property boom still lingering. Again, if one looks backs at the year, this prediction turned out to be correct.

In 2011 the greatest challenge for the auction industry will be to refocus on a buyer’s market still constrained by

Leisure residential properties at the coast, on golf courses and in other non- urban areas will also remain flat, with several properties being sold at auction below replacement value.

Next year two pieces of legislation may have a major impact on the auction sector.

The Consumer Protection Act will change a wide range of issues with regards to the auction process, mandates and sales processes; these are all designed to look after the consumer’s interests.

The new Companies Act will also have a material effect, with the introduction of business recovery. This may cause an initial slowdown in liquidations as companies go through the business recovery process.

The commercial property market will become two-tiered.

Good properties with strong covenants and reliable cash flow will experience a surge in demand as investors look to place their cash in areas that achieve greater returns than bank deposits.

Blocks of flats, retail property and key industrial sites will form the strongest part of the market. The office market will remain mild but A-grade properties in prime locations will attract strong demand on the auction floor.

The auction industry will continue to grow in 2011 as sellers see it as a viable option to secure realistic offers in a difficult property market. +27 (0)21 443 6000, auction.co.za

CEO, Auction Alliance February 2011 | 51

Photograph Sam Norval

The rocky road

a shortage of demand and an oversupply of non- income- producing properties. As the country gets used to a long, hard and bumpy recovery, the economic headwinds will still be strong and unemployment rates alarmingly high.

While the lowest interest rates in 30 years will boost sentiment and cause a bounce in properties with reliable cash flow, the favourable interest rate environment won’t be a magic pill that quickly relieves the downturn. Finding the right buyers at auctions and getting funding will remain challenging.

Business confidence will be dependent on a host of local and international issues, including fears of a potential sovereign debt crisis in Europe.

High-value bankruptcies will level off through the year, presenting opportunistic purchasing like never before seen in South Africa.

As liquidators and banks offload bad debts and an oversupply of development land, a sweet spot will emerge for investors with access to financing as they pick up these assets at bargain prices.

The residential property market will remain flat for most of the year, with a stronger recovery at entry level.

Investors will snap up properties below the R1- million mark, which for the first time in many years will provide stronger returns than cash in the bank.

The middle market will remain flat for some time as it deals with oversupply in newer residential areas.

The luxury residential market across the country will remain sluggish all year, with little help from interest rates and a strong rand constraining international demand.

real estate Residential

Marina life

Even with an oversupply of property in the greater Jeffreys Bay area, erven sales in Marina Martinique, just 5km away, are increasing steadily, with 11 successful transfers having been completed since the beginning of 2010. The developer, C-Max Investments, is currently developing Bermuda Cove, a low-density development comprising 174 erven. ‘Marina Martinique has always been known for its security and very attractive lifestyle experience. It is a family holiday destination par excellence and remains one of the safest holiday options in the country,’ says C-Max Investments MD James Hinton. Also within Marina Martinique is the recently completed La Caribe development. La Caribe comprises 60 two-bedroom units, each with a full bathroom, a dining room/kitchen/living area and a balcony. According to Vernon Heunis, general manager of the Marina Martinique Home Owners’ Association, the development has set a new standard in secure marina living. ‘Marina Martinique creates a magic factor, a sense of belonging for everyone living here,’ he says. ‘Even though a large percentage of our landowners is comprised of holidaymakers, or seasonal inhabitants of the houses in the development, they all have a home away

residentia l

fact:

The safe, 44m-w canals are perfecide t for family fun.

‘The lowest interest rates in 30 years are boosting buyer sentiment, and will cause a bounce in property prices.’

– Guest editor Rael Levitt, CEO, Auction Alliance

Courtesy of mblimaging.co.za

from home at Marina Martinique.’ +27 (0)42 292 0537, marinamartinique.co.za

New in Hillcrest With 30% of Phase 1 sold less than a month after launch, the positive response to 101 Acutts indicates a highly favourable market. Set in Hillcrest, on the corner of Acutts Drive and Inanda Road, this sprawling family estate comprises 80 sectional- title units in five villages and 120 freehold stands ranging in size from 1 800m2 to 3 000m2. Aimed specifically at a family-oriented lifestyle, 101 Acutts provides ample space for children to play and room for families to relax and entertain. The estate is pet-friendly, and facilities include a clubhouse, swimming pool, soccer field, community theatre and cricket pitch. Superb security, contemporary styling and upmarket finishes add to the appeal. ‘Priced from R1,26- million to about R2,5-million, this is an investment not to be missed,’ says Michael Dewar of Acutts Highway. +27 (0)31 767 7300, 101acutts.co.za

Developed by Frank Gawenda of Gavcon and marketed by Pam Golding Properties (PGP), Angler’s Court, in Dullstroom, comprises five stylish, fully furnished private suites. ‘These brand-new units are well priced, with three units available for purchase at R820 000 plus transfer duty and the other two units priced at R1,05- million plus transfer duty,’ says PGP Area Principal Elisme Swart. Other features of the development include secure, gated access and a boundary wall.

A Jacuzzi is also being installed. ‘Because these units provide upmarket, luxury accommodation, they will be rented out at R450/person per night on weekends.

That is comparable to other luxury accommodation in Dullstroom,’ says Elisme.

Buyers may block their units for leisure purposes and rent out them out the rest of the time. +27 (0)13 254 0205, pamgolding.co.za

52 | February 2011

Compiled by Tidi Benbenisti and André Fiore

Dullstroom rentals boom

real estate Residential

Umdloti launch ‘With the local economy performing better than many expected and lower building costs as a result of reduced interest rates and a stronger rand, developer interest has been re-stimulated,’ says Elwyn Schenk, Pam Golding Properties Area Principal, Umdloti and Umhlanga. The successful launch of Kiribati, an exclusive development in Umdloti, is one such example. Comprising nine luxury apartments and situated on an elevated site off Bellamont Road, high above the village and overlooking the beaches, these units are being well received. Apartments range from 181m2 to 222m2 in size, with three-bedroom/two-bathroom and three-bedroom/three-bathroom options, plus each homeowner has a ground-floor double garage of 36m2. Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, all the apartments in Kiribati feature indoor and outdoor living areas in a totally secure environment. Units are priced from about R2,4-million (price includes VAT and no transfer duty is payable). +27 (0)31 561 5300, pamgolding.co.za

Maritzburg market Beacon Hill Country Estate has just launched 80 sectional-title units to join their existing offering of 220 freehold stands. Situated in Bishopstowe, Pietermaritzburg, Beacon Hill is a family-orientated development in an area with huge demand for rental property. Providing quick access to shopping facilities and workplaces, and with a shopping mall pencilled in for development outside the gates, this estate offers an easy lifestyle, convenience and security.

‘Because units are priced extremely competitively, from R485 000, including upmarket finishes, we’ve had a very positive response from first-time buyers and the buy-to-let market,’ says Stedone’s Leon de Jong. +27 (0)82 781 2552, stedone.co.za

Play room Woodland Rest, a stunning, rustic entertainment area, is the newest facility on offer at the award-winning Brettenwood Coastal Estate in Sheffield Beach. Named after the Woodland Kingfisher, the facility is situated in a palm forest at the edge of a lily pond. The grassed area has a covered deck and bar, an open boma, braai facilities as well as a children’s play area. Brett Hulett, chairman of the Hulett Development Company, the developers of the estate, says, ‘Woodland Rest is not only a unique facility, but is also one of the most beautiful parts of the estate, and we are very excited that residents and their families and friends will be able to enjoy it for many years to come.’ brettenwood.co.za

real estate Commercial

Commercia l

fact

The design will : tone for the expa set the nsi the Mandela Bayon of Met area.

Hanglip service A 309ha industrial park in the Lephalale region in Limpopo Province is set to break ground in the second quarter of 2011. Developed by PDC Holdings, Hanglip Industrial Park will be situated in the industrial corridor between the Medupi and Matimba power stations, near the Grootegeluk coal mine. Area Principal for Pam Golding Properties Ellisras, Assis Pontes, says Phase 1 comprises 82 stands of between 5 000m2 and 18 000m2, with prices averaging R610/ m2 (including VAT). ‘Hanglip Industrial Park is

Anchor tenant

aimed at industries that provide services and goods to mainly construction, energy and mining industries as well as industrial end users. There are opportunities to let industrial space, and these will be tailor made

The first phase of an 80 000m2 (GLA) shopping mall complex being developed by Billion Group and

to client requirements,’ says Assis. The development

Abacus Asset Management in Port Elizabeth has broken ground. Designed by dhk Architects, Bay West

is also an ideal investment for owner- occupiers,

Mall is part of a larger multibillion- rand development of some 300ha. The completed development will

Assis adds. Commenting on the residential market,

contain the shopping mall (including more than 250 individual stores), a commercial office block, private

Assis says 10 sectional-title complexes have sprung

schools, a hospital and a residential and leisure component. Paul Krynauw, group director of dhk, says,

up in the past year, with buy-to-let investors driving

‘Our role as architects is to create a design that will blend the retail mall components into the greater

demand. The most popular units are priced at

project, setting the tone for the future expansion of the Mandela Bay Metropolitan area.’ The shopping

R662 000, generating a guaranteed rental income of

mall complex is due for completion in 2013. +27 (0)21 421 6803, dhk.co.za

R6 5000/ month, says Assis. +27 (0)14 763 1242, pamgolding.co.za

Newcastle news Groundwork on the R400-million Zenprop development, Newcastle Mall, has started, and completion is pencilled for the first quarter of 2012. With the region’s closest large-scale shopping mall currently 240km away in Pietermaritzburg, enthusiastic response from major retail chains has led to the planned 25 000m2 offering being increased to 35 000m2, with the potential to grow the gross lettable area in the second phase by a further 15 000m2. The centre, which will accommodate approximately 100 stores, will be anchored by Checkers, Pick n Pay, Game, Edgars and Woolworths.

Other leading retailers have also signed up. The centre will feature quality finishes and landscaping, abundant natural light, and extensive use of materials and references to the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

Newcastle is ideally located close to the N11, one of the main transportation

Ready to go Launched earlier this year and now due for completion in February 2011, Grid Heights, situated in Riverhorse Valley, is turning many heads with its stylish good looks. Designed by Debbie Hall of Debbie Hall Architectural Designs and managed

by Motprop Development Management, this R55-million Grid development is light, modern and contemporary, and now consists of 12 warehouses ranging from 800m2 to 1 500m2 with floor-to-ceiling stacking heights of 6m. Excellent visibility, accessibility to the N2, capacity to accommodate large trucks and rental still pegged at R55/m2 add to its appeal. grid.co.za

54 | February 2011

Compiled by André Fiore and Andrea Firth

routes between Durban and Gauteng. +27 (0)11 217 7716, zenprop.co.za

Commercial real estate

Location: Chatsworth

Brave new Century

Tyson Properties has expanded its existing

Century 21 South Africa has regained its

network, adding new offices in Chatsworth.

footing after the death of franchise holder

Franchisee Roshni Luckychund has more than

Dr Duncan Gray left the local branch of the

seven years’ experience in the Chatsworth

American brand ‘in limbo’. The SA branch’s

market, an extensive and established referral

new master franchise licence holder and group

base and well-recognised managerial skills.

CEO, Harry Nicolaides, has reassured existing

Roshni’s roots are in Chatsworth and she has

franchisees that Century 21 Global views its

been part of its close-knit community for 35

presence in SA as crucial to expanding the

years. She combines personalised service with

group’s international presence. Century 21

integrity. ‘With a strong first-time homeowners’

SA, which was launched in 2006, has been

market, as well as numerous opportunities in

recapitalised for further growth and has

the commercial segment, Chatsworth is one of

introduced training programmes for agents and

very few market areas that was not negatively

franchisees as well as the National Pearl Awards

affected by the recent recession,’ says Roshni.

for recognising top achievers within the group.

Situated on the first floor of Joyhurst Centre, the new Tyson Properties office is already

Retail revolution

The newest franchisee is Andrew Nkomo, who works the Silverton and Mamelodi areas. The

fully operational and busy, with a number of

RetailLab Property Advisors MD Adam Bravo

Century 21 real-estate system is comprised

qualified and experienced agents servicing the

predicts that new retail developments in previously

of about 8 000 independently owned and

area. 086 729 2200, tysonprop.co.za

disadvantaged areas will eventually overtake

operated franchised broker offices in over 73

high- income retail nodes, such as Hyde Park Shopping

countries and territories worldwide.

and Sandton City, as the leaders in this sector.

+27 (0)11 455 0066, century21.co.za

Citing figures released by the City of Johannesburg that show that Soweto residents have combined annual buying power of R10,5-billion – an estimated R4,3-billion of which is disposable income – Adam says retailers are ‘missing out on capturing a large amount of disposable income from an ever- increasing number of middle- and high- income earners resident in these areas’. The Financial Services Charter is providing further incentive by setting targets for the funding of projects in these areas. ‘If the growth and development strategies between developers and From left Tyson Properties CEO Chris Tyson and

retailers are correctly aligned and implemented, these

Tyson Properties Franchise Sales Manager Shane

previously disadvantaged areas will represent far

Pearson welcome Roshni Luckychund aboard.

greater returns, over a greater period,’ says Adam. +27 (0)11 786 3635, retaillab.co.za

‘Riverside Business Estate precinct is rapidly becoming recognised by corporate market users as a destination of choice.’

– Grant Smith, Director, JT Ross Developments

‘The demand for welltenanted commercial property together with a sound property sector augurs well for 2011.’

– Guest Editor Rael Levitt, CEO, Auction Alliance

Modern talking With high visibility from the N2 north of Durban and easy access to the new King Shaka International Airport, Riverside Business Park – situated in the broader Riverhorse Business Estate precinct – is rapidly becoming recognised by corporate market users as a destination of choice, says Grant Smith, director of JT Ross Developments. ‘Providing a contemporary and integrated industrial and office environment within attractively landscaped grounds, with high security and convenient access, this development has been well received by the market, with key clients including corporates such as SDV, Harveys Composites, WorldNet and a new Unitrans and Total distribution facility,’ says Grant. JT Ross is recognised as a leading ‘design and build’ contractor. Rob Moran, regional director for JHI in KwaZulu-Natal, says, ‘Rentals are competitive and in the region of R55/m2 for new developments, stacked against long-term leases.

Currently opportunities remain for large warehousing up to 13 000m2 at market-related rentals, while smaller units are being designed for letting in 2011.’ +27 (0)31 534 2500, jhi.co.za

February 2011 | 55

REAL ESTATE Auction

The platinum factor

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One of the key successes in the Auction Alliance stable over the past two years has been the growth of its premium property division.

Craig Berman, part of the company’s executive team, has been refining a premier Platinum brand within the

AUCTION

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A fine and rare auction Rudd’s Auctioneers in Cape Town is having its largest sale of antiques and artworks from 8 to 9 February.

Auction Alliance stable for the past

The sale comprises over 600 lots

18 months. His main focus has been on

from the personal collection of

showcasing premium properties, auctioned

the late Cecil and Milly Finneran,

in a multiple-presentation format. Two of his

who established Finn’s Antique

biggest successes include the sale of a home

Corner in Church Street in 1950.

in Arcadia Road, Cape Town, for R40-million,

The collection of local and

and one in Klein Genot for R30-million. ‘My

international pieces includes

vision has been to create this platform by

fine English and Continental

establishing a distinctive service proposition

furniture, fine rare silver,

that will ultimately set the bar for sellers and

nautical paintings by leading

buyers to identify Auction Alliance Platinum

British marine artist William

as a preferred selling and purchasing method,’

Lionel Wyllie, Chinese and

he says. Craig has always been drawn to

Japanese ceramics, clocks

the excitement of the auction industry,

of all descriptions, portrait

and predicts lots of activity for upmarket

miniatures and bronzes, to

properties in the future. ‘When set up

name a few.

correctly and positioned accurately, auctions

+27 (0)21 426 0384, rudds.co.za

are beneficial to both buyer and seller,’ he says. +27 (0)11 430 5555, auction.co.za

‘Several new auctioneers will open shop during the year as they look to the auction industry as a growth area.’

– Guest Editor Rael Levitt, CEO, Auction Alliance

First art auction for 2011 Stephan Welz & Company’s first Decorative and Fine Arts Auction for 2011 will be held on 22 and 23 February at their auction premises at the Great Cellar at the Alphen Hotel in Constantia. Headlining

Breede River dreaming

this auction is Irma Stern’s 1935 portrait, titled

A Breede River mansion is going under the Auction Alliance hammer on 8 February at Crystal Towers

sale include works by JH Pierneef, Walter Battiss,

Hotel in Century City. No. 4 Barracouta Street is a newly built 650m2 luxury home facing onto the mouth

Pieter Hugo Naudé and Maud Sumner. There is also a

of the Breede River in the coastal town of Witsand. The home offers four spacious bedrooms, three

full complement of decorative arts available, including

bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, walk-in fridge, wine cellar and numerous wrap-around balconies. The

highly desirable collectable pieces of Scandinavian

house also contains a gym, Jacuzzi, indoor lift and underfloor heating, and is built on spacious grounds.

furniture. +27 (0)21 794 6461, swelco.co.za

Zulu Woman, which is scheduled to fetch between R16- million and R20-million. Other highlights of the

‘The property is 40km from Heidelberg on the N2, making it an ideal weekend and holiday escape from

Compiled by Genevieve Fisher

the bustle of the city,’ comments Ish Hendricks of Auction Alliance. +27 (0)21 443 6000, auction.co.za

56 | February 2011

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REAL ESTATE Property Fund

Better days ahead for hotel owners While many hotels – particularly the

newer ones built in the run-up to the

FINANCIAL

Soccer World Cup – experienced tough

QUOTE:

trading conditions in 2010, listed-hotel

‘The tourism m arke in SA could dou t ble in volume over the next five years. ’

owners are starting to report an uptick in room demand. AltX-listed Quantum Property Group (QPG), owner of the five-star 15 on Orange Hotel in Cape Town (pictured right) and the Park Inn by

– Chaim Cohen

Radisson in Sandton, has seen a dramatic rise in occupancies since October 2010.

Executive Chairman Chaim Cohen says he is cautiously optimistic that trading conditions in the South African leisure and tourism market will improve in the year ahead. ‘Indications are that the tourism market in South Africa could double in volume over the next five years,’ he says. ‘The successful Soccer World Cup showcased South Africa’s solid infrastructure, centring South Africa on the global stage and positioning the country as a highly attractive business, conferencing and leisure destination.’

Emira sweating its assets Emira Property Fund continues to pour money into improving the quality of its R8-billion portfolio through selective acquisitions, the disposal of non-core properties and the refurbishment of existing buildings. Management is currently focusing a lot of time, effort and money on the latter. Upgrades to older buildings generally deliver good returns for shareholders, as they enable management to rent out space at significantly higher rentals. Some seven projects, worth R161-million, are already under way, including refurbishments and extensions to Randridge Mall in Johannesburg, the refurbishment of Rigel Office Park in Pretoria, an upgrade to Wesbank House in the Cape Town CBD and extensions to Woolworths at The Market Square Shopping Centre in Plettenberg Bay (pictured below). Emira plans on spending a further R130-million in the next 12

Hyprop propelled into the big league

months on upgrading, among others, Cresta Corner shopping centre (on the corner of Judges Avenue and Beyers Naudé Drive in Randburg). Emira CEO James Templeton says Cresta Corner is in a prime location opposite the Cresta

Plans by shopping centre owner Hyprop Investments to purchase its unlisted

Shopping Centre, but in need of a facelift. James notes that, following the

counterpart, Attfund Retail, for R9-billion will help create more funds that

upgrade, gross rentals for the ground- floor retail space should rise from around

can compete with sector heavyweights Growthpoint Properties and Redefine

R83/m2 to R95/m2,

Properties, in terms of size. Growthpoint’s current market cap of R27,5-billion and Redefine’s R21,1-billion comprise more than a third of the listed-property sector’s total market cap of R125-billion. They are also the only two out of the sector’s 19 counters that have market caps of more than R10-billion. Hyprop is currently in third spot, with its current market cap of R9,3-billion. However, the Attfund deal finalised. Attfund’s portfolio includes Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort, Woodlands Boulevard in Pretoria, Cape Gate Retail Precinct in Cape Town and a 25% share in Centurion Mall. Attfund’s malls are widely regarded as a good fit for Hyprop’s retail portfolio, which includes Canal Walk in Cape Town and Hyde Park Shopping, The Mall of Rosebank and The Glen in Johannesburg. Property analysts have welcomed the tie-up between Hyprop and Attfund, as they generally like the size and liquidity offered by bigger funds. For institutions that tend to invest only in counters worth more than R10-billion, it will offer an attractive alternative to Growthpoint and Redefine. ‘There’s no doubt the Hyprop-Attfund deal will significantly raise the attractiveness of listed property as an asset class,’ says Evan Jankelowitz, director of Sesfikile Capital. Property analysts are also looking forward to the possible listing of Old Mutual’s R12-billion, retail-focused property portfolio by mid-2011.

58 | February 2011

Compiled by Joan Muller, FINWEEK Property Editor

will see Hyprop’s market cap swell to R15-billion by April, once the acquisition is

real estate Green Building

Green gaining ground

GREEN

South Africa now has three buildings certified as earth-friendly by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). This

fact:

indicates that green building practices are indeed finding fertile ground in this country. ‘We are very excited to have awarded our first Four- Green-Star SA certifications,’ says GBCSA CEO Nicola Milne. ‘We have a large number of applications, and considering the significant task for developers to put together a submission form, the uptake and use of these Green Star Rating Tools shows that the South African property industry is ready to adopt global best practices in green building.’ The first three buildings to be certified are Nedbank Phase 2, in Sandton, Nedbank Ridgeside, in KZN, and The Villa Mall, in Pretoria. The Villa Mall is also the first building to receive

There are curren three Green Sta tly r SA rating tools.

a Four-Green-Star SA Retail Centre Design v1 rating.

‘It’s a huge achievement that South Africa is making such positive inroads in terms of Green Star certification.’ – Guest Editor Rael Levitt, CEO, Auction Alliance

Rating Africa The goal of creating a Green Building Council African Network is one step closer. Some 20 African states are in full support of the initiative,

Team effort

which was first proposed in May 2010 at the

The importance of green living has made its mark on the country’s students. A team of third-year

kind in Africa, the Green Building Council of

University of Cape Town students have taken top honours at the institution’s 2010 BSG Information

South Africa (GBCSA) has undertaken to assist

Systems Expo for their green-building management system, which they developed for ICT business

in putting together the network and support

incubator, Bandwidth Barn. The innovative system created by team members Kate Dawe, Nick

the implementation of rating tools throughout

Kuilman, Richard Pilkington and David Scheepmaker allows tenants to liaise directly with the building’s

Africa, in partnership with the World Green

administration on complaints and maintenance issues, as well as to book boardrooms and automate

Building Council (WorldGBC). The African

offices to cut down on electricity and provide an electrical analysis. BSG Information Science CEO Greg

countries involved are willing to adopt the rating

Reis says the design impresses him, because it provides tenants with a private, world-class service while

tools of the WorldGBC, but stress that the rating

reducing a building’s carbon footprint.

system must be adapted to each country’s

Green Building Rating Systems Conference in Nairobi. As the only established body of its

unique conditions. With the Green Star Rating System already modified and adapted to South African conditions, the WorldGBC is hopeful of a speedy assimilation of the rating tool throughout the rest of Africa. Bruce Kerswill of the GBCSA indicates several challenges, namely resources, training and financing. However, with support and positive feedback, the network is fast becoming a reality.

eThekwini in a first for SA The Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department (EPCPD) of the eThekwini Municipality, in KZN, together with the landowners in the Giba Gorge area (in Hillcrest, just outside of Durban), has launched the Giba Gorge Environmental Precinct. It is said to be the first special rating area (SRA) in the of the area, including the KZN Sandstone Sourveld grasslands (classified as ‘endangered’), the scarp forests (‘vulnerable’), the water sources and the many birds and animals in this ecosystem. Landowners in the area are paying an additional municipal levy towards the management of the area, and the municipality is contributing significantly to ensure the sustainability of the forest. EPCPD Deputy Head Debra Roberts says

Environmental

much of the natural beauty within the municipality has already been lost, giving rise to the need for multiple

Department Deputy Head Debra Roberts, Community

stakeholders to make a joint effort to protect that which remains. The project demonstrates the important role

Leader Mike Lourentz, Councillor Jaco Pienaar

Planning

and

Climate

Protection

communities can play in protecting and managing their natural heritage, she adds.

February 2011 | 59

Compiled by Andrea Firth

country to be used for environmental management purposes. The project will help protect the biodiversity

real estate Offshore

Urban action The completion of Rihan Heights, five luxurious residential towers that make up Phase 1 of the Arzanah project in Abu Dhabi, is a major milestone for its strategic planner and developer, Capitala. The 1 400 000m2 development encompasses residential, retail, commercial, sports and leisure components. The project is now officially on schedule to be completed in 2011. Rihan Heights is situated on the north-eastern corner of Arzanah, on 3,8ha of prime land. The five towers vary in height from 20 to 32 storeys and include 854 apartments and 14 villas. The buildings, which are surrounded by lush landscaped gardens and parklands, offer a range of recreational features, including a children’s playground, a gym and

offshore

fact: Arzan

ah is a US$6-billion development.

fitness suite and a clubhouse, and are protected by high- tech security and management systems. Centrally located in the Grand Mosque district, Arzanah is fundamental to Plan Abu Dhabi 2030, an urban-planning framework that aims to provide a sustainable foundation for the emirate’s growth. For its part, Capitala promises to deliver to Arzanah’s residents ‘the ultimate active

urban lifestyle’. +971 2 412 1111, capitala.ae

Mediterranean marvel Set on 110ha in the coastal town of Paphos, Cyprus, Neapolis is more than a property development – it’s an entirely new city. Neapolis Smart EcoCity will provide an integrated, healthy, smart lifestyle. The developers, Leptos Group, have set themselves the ambitious goal of creating ‘the most innovative, smart eco-city in the Mediterranean that will set standards of

‘A strong rand coupled with substantial foreign

allowance allocations opens a window of opportunity for offshore investments.’

– Guest Editor Rael Levitt, CEO, Auction Alliance

excellence in health care, education, research, business parks and planned green living, with an integrated blend of lifestyle, retail, entertainment and culture’. In October last year Phase 1 broke ground and the foundation stone was laid, making Neapolis the only European city currently being developed with infrastructure based on a single intelligent platform capable of accommodating green-living technology, the latest digital applications and sustainable design. With the Cyprian culture being so focused on family and good living, it is no surprise that Neapolis will contain expansive, green urban parks and themed neighbourhoods to encourage community- building.

It will also have a state-of-the-art health park and hospital and an English- language university alongside the residential and commercial offerings. Michael Leptos, founder and chairman of the Leptos Group, says that with the renewed and growing interest in clean-tech and eco- friendly ventures, Neapolis Smart EcoCity is a diversified investment opportunity for any property buyer. +357 26 880 601, neapolis.com

Country charmers on the cheap Owning a home in the English countryside has never been more accessible to South Africans, says Lanice Steward, MD of Cape-based firm, Anne Porter reporting that UK manor houses have dropped in price by 1,3%, farmhouses by 0,6% and country cottages by 0,8% in the last quarter – with further drops to come – now is a good time to buy a lovely UK country house, if you are in that asset bracket,’ Lanice says. The more rural the property and the farther away it is from urban hubs – particularly from London – the more reasonable prices become.

And if you buy in Scotland, Cornwall or Wales, you will possibly pay only 25% more than you would for a three-bedroom home in South Africa’s Constantia, Kloof or Sandton areas. Currently on Knight Frank’s books are a manor house at Poole Keynes, Gloucestershire, priced at £2,5-million, an 18th-century farmhouse (The Malthouse), in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, priced at £1,26-million and a historic, renovated thatched cottage in Newton Abbot, Devon, priced at £475 000. +27 (0)21 671 9120, anneporter.co.za

60 | February 2011

Compiled by Genevieve Fisher and Andrea Firth

Properties. ‘With the rand at its current levels and our UK associates, Knight Frank,

Society

society

Living the high life in KwaZulu-Natal

1

2

3

4

5

6

8

7

9

10

Compiled by Debbie Reynolds

Deloitte hosted the 20th Veritas Awards: 1Preggie and Nalini Pillay, Smitha and Marlin Moorthi 2John Barton, Richard Pemberton, Mary Barton. ‘Black and Gold’ was the theme for the Patrón Signature Party at Florida Road’s Czar: 3Simone Mugnai-Rogan, Roddy Rogan 4Brad Logan, John van de Ruit 5Brad Levin, Roxy Smith.

SA Breweries recognised entrepreneurship at its KickStart Awards: 6Nonhlanla Magwaza, Regina Nalu-Kyegereka 7Lunga Wanda, Pamela Buthelezi, Greg Uys, Ian Roberts 8Sindi Mzamo, Shobna Persadh. Guests chilled out at the opening of Platinum Health & Beauty in Westville: 9Debbie Law, Kylan Oliver, Natalie McGuinness, Natalie Daly, Lauren McMaster 10Shereen van der Merwe, Gayle Venediger, Samantha Herholdt, Mandy Ehlers, Dawn Ehlers.

To see who else we’ve featured in our Society pages, visit thepropertymag.co.za.

Email social photographs for consideration to socials@medianova.co.za.

February 2011 | 61

DIRECTORY

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TREND WATCH

The final touch

Looking for that showstopping decor piece that will transform any room in your house? We’ve rounded up four local design and interior aficionados to give us their pick of the hottest home accessories.

TREVYN MCGOWAN, SOURCE INTERIORS ‘Reuben Ngwenya Glassware, available from Boardmans, is one of the most exciting projects I have worked on, and the mixture of heart, soul and collaboration makes it a really special range. It is made from 100% recycled glass and hand made by master craftsmen. Besides being beautiful, sophisticated pieces, 5% of the sales go to a schoolchildren’s feeding scheme. The items in this range would work just as well in the dining room, kitchen or patio as they would in the bedroom!’ +27 (0)44 877 0719, source-sa.com

ADAM COURT, OKHA DESIGN & INTERIORS ‘The Black Rain Mirror is so much more than a mirror; it crosses the line between design and art. In its look it is both discordant and harmonious, because it is irregular and asymmetric and therefore has a provocative split personality that’s simultaneously dark and humorous. What I love about the Black Rain Mirror is that it stimulates and provokes a reaction; the viewer engages with the mirror in a multitude of ways. I would position it in a key focal area of a room, with plenty of space around it. Because of the scale of the piece, its drama and intensity, it needs space!’ +27 (0)21 419 7003, okha.co.za

MICHELE THROSSELL, MICHELE THROSSELL INTERIORS & AGENCIES ‘At the moment, my key decor accessory is the Tolomeo light. Its design is timeless and adds an exciting edge to any type of decor theme, whether it’s traditional or contemporary. The most obvious place to put the lamp is over a work desk or perched by a bed, but I think it also works well for intimate lighting in a small dining space.’ +27 (0)32 946 0590, michelethrossell.co.za

DAWN DICKERSON, HOTCOCOA INTERIORS & DESIGN ‘A coffee table that my partner Carmel Naudé and I recently designed adds a give an added dimension to any lounge and allow you to adorn it in different ways with books, magazines, flowers and other objects. With its rich, reflective surface, it can be glamorous and sexy in a modern setting, and it also looks great in a natural, organic interior, as the glass provides a perfect foil to natural, rough finishes. What’s more, the glass can be coloured to match any interior.’ +27 (0)21 424 0444, hotcocoa.co.za

64 | February 2011

Words Genevieve Fisher

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