Real Estate November 2015 ( Issue 27 )

REAL

ESTATE ISSUE 27 • NOVEMBER 2015

DESIGN FOR LIFE

Luxury yachts | Urban change-makers | Artisan food, fashion and design | Clever renovation ideas | Investing in Mozambique, Mauritius and the Seychelles

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MAKE THE FIVE STAR EXPERIENCE YOUR REALITY WITH EXCLUSIVE HOUGHTON LIVING, WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED

ON SHOW DAILY – LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES FROM R3,9 MILLION Visit the latest apartments on Saturday and Sunday.

SHOW APARTMENT Unit 12118, The Houghton on the 12th, 53 2nd Avenue, Houghton Office – 011 034 2201 || Alan Becker – 082 718 8100 Email – alan@thehoughton.com

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ED’S LETTER

REAL

ESTATE

PUBLISHED BY PA MEDIA, THE CREATIVE GROUP

HEAD OFFICE Old Castle Brewery, 6 Beach Road, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925. www.realestatemagazine.co.za 087 828 0423, 021 447 7130 THE CREATIVE GROUP CEO Shaun Minnie shaun.minnie@thecreativegroup.info

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NOVEMBER 2015

ADVERTISING SALES

EDITOR Michelle Snaddon

Michèle Jones Sales and Marketing Manager

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ART DIRECTOR Lucia Viglietti

Susan Erwee (Developers) Key Account Manager

ACTING ART DIRECTOR Jo Skelton

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DEPUTY EDITOR Julia Freemantle

Yvonne Botha Key Account Manager

CONTRIBUTING FEATURES WRITER Genevieve Putter

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Jimmy Balsaras (Property) jimmy.balsaras@thecreativegroup.info 083 387 2227

CHIEF COPY EDITOR Tracey Hawthorne ONLINE EDITOR Andy Möller

ADVERTISING BOOKINGS AND SUBMISSIONS Jackie Maritz Advertising Coordinator

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DISCLAIMER The publisher of this magazine gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representation regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. © The Advertising Joint Venture. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.

MICKY HOYLE

JOCELYN WARRINGTON

Micky’s inherent perfectionism and decades of experience make him the consummate decor photographer – one who’ll never submit a photograph he himself is not happy with.

His standards and skill make him the go-to for magazines, publishers and advertisers and he’s as comfortable shooting food and lifestyle as he is photographing a beautiful space or face.

This month he captured a glamorous home and artisanal gelato for our Lifestyle feature on page 24.

A freelance journalist with 20 years’ experience in the print and online media industries, Jocelyn wrote this month’s Special Report on buying in Mauritius, the Seychelles and Mozambique.

Privileged to have visited all three Indian Oceanfronting countries, she rates the last as her all-time favourite, and a good place for South Africans to consider investing. From tax and import incentives to dividend repatriation, read her reasons why Mozambique and its island neighbours are open for business on page 80.

Cover image The Star superyacht by Igor Lobanov Photographs Lar Photography and supplied

M

emories of the February fire in Cape Town came sharply back into focus when I looked through the images of the tragic devastation and subsequent rebuild of Tintswalo Atlantic along the shores of Chapman’s Peak (above). In just eight extraordinary months, a new lodge has risen from the ashes, and is ready to receive guests. Not even the beloved 300-year-old milkwood trees next to the sea escaped the flames but new ones were swiftly donated by Just Trees and planted before building started.

It’s a heartwarming story of resilience and a dedicated community working together.

Look out for more detailed coverage in our newsletter later this month.

Equally hard at work, revolutionising our cityscapes for a better future, are the change-making ‘young urbanists’ of Street View (p49) which was compiled by Genevieve Putter in collaboration with five talented Instagrammers. It was great working with you, Grant Payne, Thoban Jappie, Jessica Stafford, David East and Ockie Fourie!

If you’re dreaming of investing on the shores of the Indian Ocean, turn to p80. This year, it was Mozambique that especially piqued our interest, with many exciting and now-mature developments. And if you’re into more portable property, take a look at the drop-dead gorgeous luxury yachts we have lined up for you on p32.

Finally, an announcement: we’re calling all KwaZulu-Natal estate agents to enter our first online competition dedicated especially to the region. Subscribe to our newsletter on Michelle Snaddon realestatemagazine.co.za Editor, REAL ESTATE www.realestatemagazine.co.za and we’ll keep you posted.

EDITORIAL TEAM

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CONTENTS

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CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2015 09 WORD ON THE STREET 18 SHOW HOUSE Impactful design tweaks kept the character of this Durban home intact while making the most of its tropical location 24 TWO SCOOPS A fashion-industry couple, recently home from Italy, has come back to make authentic Italian gelato. And their home is just as enticing as their ice cream 32 GOING OVERBOARD The ultimate status symbol, luxury yachts are a lifestyle

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accessory that announces to the world that you’ve arrived

57 MARKETPLACE The property news you need to know now

43 CHANGING IT UP Strategic changes to your home can increase its value as well as improve the quality of your lifestyle.

We look at three clever case studies

78 DIVING OFFSHORE Buying in Mozambique and the Indian Ocean islands – what you should know before purchasing a piece of paradise

49 STREET VIEW Up-and-coming young local revolutionists give us the lay of the urban landscape and discuss the changes they’d like to see in South African cities and how these can impact our futures

93 PRACTICAL ADVICE Spruce up your home to increase its value, and get the best rate on your homeloan 96 DREAM HOME Live the dolce vita on Lake Como

Photographs Supplied and Jessica Stafford

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Purism. Sensuality. Intelligence.

To see what else bulthaup kitchens have to offer, please contact your local retail partner www.livingkitchens.bulthaup.com

bulthaup cape town Living Kitchens (Pty) Ltd 47 Somerset Road, Green Point Cape Town 8005 Tel. 021 419 5445 info@bulthaup.co.za

bulthaup johannesburg Living Kitchens (Pty) Ltd 9 Kramer Road, Kramerville Johannesburg 2148 Tel. 011 262 5257 info@bulthaup.co.za

In Partnership with

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WORD ON THE STREET Places to be and things to see in the hippest ’hoods

Text Genevieve Putter, Julia Freemantle and Michelle Snaddon Photographs Bryan Viljoen and supplied

FASHION

IF THE SHOE FITS New local footwear brand Tread + Miller, under the umbrella company Cape Union Mart Group, recently opened two stores, one at Woodlands Boulevard in Pretoria and the other at Baywest Mall in Port Elizabeth. Aside from the stylish mix of local and international brands on their shelves, such as Crockett & Jones, Sebago, Cushe, Caterpillar, Adidas, Superga and Sperry, sits Arthur Jack, the group’s own men’s footwear label. They’ve also launched an online shop with services including door-to-door deliveries. treadandmiller.co.za

Racy numbers This summer Fabiani takes us to the Sicilian countryside, to the world’s oldest openair car race, the Targa Florio. This is the inspiration for its spring/summer 2016 menswear range, ‘On the Road’, which sees soft modern tailoring, clean lines and ocean-blue hues effortlessly blend trends

with iconic classics. Fabiani’s sophisticated leather sneaker will also be launched, in an array of colour combinations that complement both timeless tailoring and casual streetwear – something that’s very on-trend with the rise of the luxe sportswear aesthetic. fabiani.co.za

The art of dressing Poetry launched its spring/summer 2015 range in signature feminine style at the CAAM gallery in Cape Town. Floral and art installations introduced the theme of the collection, ‘House of the Artist’. This season you’ll see the label concentrate on three primary directions – painterly prints, nautically inspired black and white with interesting texture, and a modern take on blue and white. The ranges are designed to mix seamlessly and are complemented by accessories from shoes to totes and sunhats. poetrystores.co.za

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DESIGN Amazing spaces Fantastic news for fans of the unique and instantly recognisable Weylandts aesthetic of Scandi-chic meets African earthiness – it’s introduced a specialised interior design division, Weylandts Spaces.

Headed up by acclaimed designer Adam Court, the team will tackle residential, commercial and hospitality projects, offering a full-spectrum service from concept to custom furniture. With an approach that’s shared by CEO Chris Weylandt and his partner Kim Smith, Adam’s advice for decorating your space is ‘form follows function first, then add personal accents’. 021 914 1433

MONSTERS’ BALL As a follow-up to her successful Shining Girls exhibition, which raised over R100 000 in less than 20 minutes for Rape Crisis Cape Town, author Lauren Beukes presents her second showcase. Sponsored by Nando’s, the Broken Monsters Charity Art Exhibition, curated by Jacki Lang, has original artworks going for R1 500 each for Book Dash, a company that creates beautifully illustrated storybooks for children. Every R1 500 allows Book Dash to make 150 books. The artworks have been created by a host of South Africa’s emerging and established artists and creatives across the fields of architecture, photography, design and illustration, including Brett Murray, Conrad Botes, Mia Widlake, Matthew Hindley and Paul Senyol. Venues will be announced closer to the time but if you’re in Cape Town, pencil in 12 and 14 November, and in Jozi, 26 and 28 November. laurenbeukes.com, bookdash.com

TRUE BLUE The release of Plascon’s Colour of the Year, ‘Atlantic Beach’, came as no surprise to Dauphin HumanDesign Group, specialists in contemporary office furniture design – it’s one of the most popular colours in its office ranges. Sales and marketing director Cherine Leishman shares some insight into this colour for office environments. • ‘Shades of blue are known to have a calming effect on people, which is great to encourage focus in the workspace.

Atlantic Beach captures a wonderful synergy of boldness and vibrant fun which speaks to the current philosophy of the contemporary work environment, where a balance of energy is needed for optimal productivity. It’s the sort of blue that makes a statement.’ • ‘Contemporary workspaces are dynamic and always changing. The trend of offices moving into a more lighthearted space that isn’t too stuffy and with brighter colours is on the rise.

We’re seeing this a lot with international offices such as Google and Facebook. Office design is now embracing creativity, and what better way to do this than by playing with brightly coloured office furniture? The thinking here is that bright colours enhance employees’ moods, which ultimately increases productivity.’ dauphin.co.za

On a Rolls

Touted as the ‘sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built’, the new Rolls-Royce Dawn, like the beginning of the day, heralds a new age for the luxury brand. The world’s only true modern convertible ‘will be the most sociable of super-luxury drophead [convertible] motor cars for those who wish to bathe in the sunlight of the world’s most exclusive social hotspots,’ says Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. rolls-roycemotorcars.com

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Suita Sofa Antonio Citterio for Vitra, 2010.

A tribute to mid-century American design.

The Gallery, 68 on Hobart Corner WIlliam Nicol Drive and Dover Road, Bryanston C +27 (0)83 605 5000 T +27 (0)11 463 7869 www.cubegallery.co.za

WHERE ART AND DESIGN MEET

Authorised retailer for Vitra I Artek I Belux I Gio Ponti by Molteni & C I Paola Lenti

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WORD ON THE STREET

LEISURE Test run Number 28 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Luke Dale-Roberts’ The Test Kitchen is popping up at Jozi’s Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa this coming January.

Named Africa’s Best Restaurant by the Continental Restaurant Awards, The Test Kitchen in Cape Town has accrued many accolades since it opened and Dale-Roberts is eager to bring some of his gastronomic creativity to Jozi’s culinary scene. thetestkitchen.co.za

Shoot the breeze

A new addition to the Garden Spa repertoire at Babylonstoren is the deep-tissue bamboo massage.

The natural heat retention and rounded shape of these hardy plants – which are grown, dried and trimmed on the farm – make them an ideal tool for massage. The treatment kicks off with a soothing foot bath followed by 90 minutes of relaxation which is enhanced by the use of Africology oils to heighten the senses and nourish the skin, and a combination of techniques in order to reach specific areas and deep tissue. Make the most of the spa experience by spending some time on the bamboo-fringed beach or in the hammam after your treatment. babylonstoren.co.za

COOL CARAFES

What: Brooklyn Wine Affair Where: Weylandts, Brooklyn Mall, Pretoria When: Friday 20 November Why: To showcase the winners of arguably the hippest wine competition, the Sommelier Selection, which is all about the everyday wine drinker enjoying innovative and new approaches to wine.

Cost: R150 per person for entry and wine tastings. Tickets available through webtickets.co.za

Rising from the ashes

After the tragic February fire on Chapman’s Peak, the passionate team at Tintswalo Atlantic have worked tirelessly to replant the milkwood trees lost in the blaze, and to rebuild the five-star lodge along this spectacular shoreline to reopen by 1 November. Guests who loved the original lodge will discover an equally beautiful Tintswalo in this location of unparalled beauty, where you wake to the soothing sounds of waves lapping on the pebbly shores. Sleep with the sea-facing doors open and you’ll enjoy the view of Hout Bay as it slowly lights up at dawn.

A night here during the week feels like a weekend away. tintswalo.com

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Double Volume Pendants M-KLCH-1288-8 - 8 Lamp Double Volume Glass Pendant (Available in White or Black)

Cape Town: 7 Kunene Circle, Omuramba Business Park, Milnerton, 021 552 4370 Johannesburg: Units 8 & 9, The Arena, Capital Hill Business Park, Halfway House, Midrand, 011 312 1247 info@klight.co.za I www.klight.co.za I Facebook.com/klightimport

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WORD ON THE STREET

LEISURE

Republic of bliss The Amanera, Aman Resorts’ new Dominican Republic destination, will open at the end of November. With jungle on one side and ocean on the other, plus an organic aesthetic designed to complement the raw beauty of the surroundings, the hotel will comprise 25 casitas. Also noteworthy is the fact that along with an extensive array of recreational facilities, this will be the first golfintegrated Aman and will boast the highest number of oceanside holes of any course in the western hemisphere. aman.com

Go on, treat yourself

Need a break after browsing Hertex’s ranges at their Bellville showroom? Take it at the newly revamped Treat Patisserie. Order a coffee, a generous salad or an omelette, or a sumptuous slice of cake to complete the delightful experience of shopping for spring fabrics and other lifestyle goods. hertex.co.za.

CLIP ART Nespresso’s new Pixie Clips machine features exchangeable decorative side panels that adapt your machine to your style choices or changing design trends. The range of interchangeable covers include Pop, Arty, Elegant or High-tech, Black & Lemon Neon and White & Coral Neon. If you renovate, move house or have a change of heart when it comes to your favourite colour, your Pixie Clip machine will adapt to your changing preferences. nespresso.com

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A new leaf Cavalli has earned a reputation as one of South Africa’s leading lifestyle estates – its progressive eco approach and emphasis on refinement bleed into all aspects, not least its finedining restaurant Equus.

New executive chef Hylton Espey has just joined the stable, and with an ethos that’s perfectly in stride with the estate’s, is offering

a menu informed by the seasons, heritage and produce of the area. With plans to develop the horticultural side of the estate such that it supplies the restaurant more fully, his food ethos is informed by down-to-earth and modern ideals. Expect to find elegant dishes, artfully presented in a setting that is hard to beat. cavallistud.com

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There’s an art to what we do.

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LEBRATING CE *

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The overscaled pivot doors make the living space feel almost like a veranda when they’re open. Natural details like the raw-wood TV shelf and giant indoor plants enhance the connection with the garden. The artwork above the fireplace is by Richard Hart OPPOSITE Using timber slats instead of burglar bars is an ingenious way to stay safe while making a statement.

They also provide protection from the elements, allowing this area to function as an entrance hall

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SHOW HOUSE

MODERN HISTORY ARCHITECT LISA RORICH HAS MODERNISED HER DURBAN HOME WITHOUT COMPROMISING ANY OF ITS HISTORICAL APPEAL Text Candice Botha Photographs Lar Photography

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SHOW HOUSE

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t was the original details of this Morningside, Durban house that appealed to architect Lisa Rorich: the exquisite moulded fireplace, finely worked ceilings, generous archways and double volumes were keepers. At the same time, her experienced eye immediately determined that less-appealing elements, such as the lack of light, could easily be remedied. And from the first moment you see the house, her ingenious solutions are on display.

‘I didn’t want unsightly burglar bars on the windows and doors,’ she says, ‘so we created a series of timber screens that keep the house secure while creating an extra entrance-hall-like space.’ Painted the same colour as the rest of the facade, the screens seem to be much more of a style statement than a security measure and demonstrate Lisa’s knack for making the ordinary outstanding.

The interiors of the house are quite spacious, thanks to the high ceilings, and Lisa has used clever tricks in different areas to enhance this feeling, as well as to blur the boundaries between inside and out. In the dining room, she installed overscaled pivot doors, making the room feel more like a veranda when they’re open, while in other areas she’s painted walls and ceilings a seamless dark grey so that they seem to recede completely.

The house is semi-detached and therefore open only on three sides, which made it quite dark originally. To maximise the light in the living area, Lisa simply affixed a floor-to-ceiling mirror running the length of the room to reflect the sunshine streaming in through the doors, which also has the effect of making the room feel much larger than its actual dimensions. ‘It gives this lovely sense that you’re living between forests,’ Lisa adds.

Screeded floors keep the room cool, while natural textures in the decor, including a chunk of raw wood that acts as a TV unit, create a link with the garden. Big indoor plants and botanical artworks are another nod to the outside-in lifestyle Lisa favours.

‘The items in my home are all things I love and have collected slowly over time,’ Lisa says, pointing out, by way of example, a pair of retro-style chairs she saved from the Pavilion hotel and revamped.

‘I worked on lodges in East Africa and many objects came from the markets there, and I have artworks by my sisters, for instance. Everything works together because each reflects my taste rather than my having planned a decor scheme.

It’s quite eclectic.’

She does believe in investing in good basics, however, such as the comfortable sofa and luxurious handwoven carpet by Hoffmann Rugs in the living room.

The kitchen, built by Blue Olive Design, is anchored by a remarkable island that seems to have a floating marble counter. ‘The island is a perfect square,’ says Lisa. ‘The marble countertop is fixed on one corner and the rest is indeed floating. The shelf created provides storage space, along with drawers running the whole way round.’

In keeping with Lisa’s preference for natural, raw textures, the marble, from Afrigran, is honed Carrara which has a lovely matte finish rather than the more commonly seen high gloss.

Another contemporary addition to the house is the outside shower – one of Lisa’s favourite things about her home. The shower is actually tucked into a corner of the garden opening off the downstairs bathroom (the bathrooms were modernised and

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A retro chair provides a place to relax and enjoy views of the garden

have a clean, minimalist feel) and is screened with recycled pine fencing by Forest Fencing. The outside decking is Balau, left to weather naturally, which Lisa has also used for the built-in bench that provides practical seating outside, and with the addition of a few cushions becomes an ideal spot for lounging.

‘In making all of these changes, the aim was to update the house while preserving its character. If a building is more than 60 years old, the heritage

association, Amafa, has to be consulted to ensure that this happens sensitively,’ Lisa explains.

She loves the Morningside area with its mix of people and busy social and art scene, but it’s the fact that much of the original charm of the area remains that appeals to her most about the suburb – and her home is an excellent example of how modern living and heritage appeal can go hand-in-hand. lisaroricharchitects.co.za 083 973 8803

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE The outdoor shower is one of Lisa’s favourite things about the house. Reclaimed pine fencing provides privacy; a floor-toceiling mirror stretching the length of the living room enhances the sense of space and reflects light – a clever detail in this semi-detached home; the refitted bathrooms have a contemporary, minimalist feel. Painting the walls and ceilings the same shade makes them recede, and the small space feels much larger; Lisa preserved many of the original details of the house, such as the arch in the bedroom, and simply used furniture to update spaces

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE The unique kitchen island with its floating honed-marble top makes a striking focal point; the dining room is a masterclass in enhancing the sense of space: a glass table takes up minimal space visually while 2.5m tall doors open directly onto the garden and beckon in maximum light; the bedroom seems nestled in the forest canopy, thanks to large sliding doors. The decor’s contemporary/colonial feel is ideal for the old-Durban setting of the home; the exterior facade of the house is given a contemporary character with timber slatting which doubles as burglar bars

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SHOW HOUSE

Naturally weathered Balau decking and built-in seating create a welcoming space for relaxing alfresco.

Indigenous vegetation keeps the garden low maintenance and creates a tropical feel while overscaled doors allow a flow between the courtyard and interior spaces

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LIFESTYLE

TWO SCOOPS Jetsetting fashionistas and gelato entrepreneurs Heine van Wyk and Stefano Moro know a thing or two about good taste Text Genevieve Putter Photographs Micky Hoyle

The beautiful retro styling of the Moro Gelato cart is a fitting home for the authentic Italian gelato underneath the gold lids OPPOSITE Heine serving behind the Moro Gelato cart, which can be seen at the Oranjezicht City Farm market and Lourensford Harvest Market

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LIFESTYLE

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eine van Wyk and Stefano Moro live so high up in one of Long Street’s mixed-use buildings in Cape Town that the apartment can’t be seen from the road. Modest in size, it’s nonetheless abundant in everything for which the city has become known among the international fashion pack: light, views and, of course, location.

The balcony of the one-and-a-half-bedroom corner apartment is bursting with succulents of every shape, size and colour – plants are something for which former model Heine has an absolute passion, and the couple couldn’t imagine living in Cape Town without that connection to nature.

The floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows create the effect of being in a glass chamber above the CBD. ‘We look out onto Signal Hill and Lion’s Head. When all the window-doors are open, it feels like our lounge is hanging in the open air,’ says Heine.

When they bought the apartment in 2009, they did so with the intention of spending half the year here and the other half in Europe. As a prolific fashion photographer, an important box that Italian-born Stefano needed to tick when househunting was that their home had to be good for business. ‘We needed an apartment in the centre of town, a lock-up-and-go that was close enough to hotels, modelling agencies and photographic studios for my international clients,’ says Stefano.

Once the apartment was theirs, the process of injecting their personalities into the space and capitalising on the home’s enviable surrounds began. ‘The apartment was new when we bought it, with the typical stock-standard accessories – downlighters, white walls, tiled floors and curtains,’ says Stefano. ‘We stripped all of this away and set about making it feel more personal.’

They discovered that the bulkheads carrying the dreaded downlighters were hiding high concreteblock ceilings with an interesting retro feel.

Also, instead of having the main living area centred around the lounge, they focused theirs outwards, towards the views. ‘We don’t watch a lot of TV so our couches face the windows that look onto Signal Hill and Lion’s Head. It’s nature’s show, and one that’s slightly different with every sunset,’ says Stefano.

Their eclectic tastes, which range from European and Asian antiques to a Karoo farmstyle dining table, give the space a sophisticated and varied global aesthetic, while the mirrored Art Deco-style cabinetry that lines the livingroom wall makes the space feel bigger and airier.

THIS PAGE, FROM TOP The entrance area to Heine and Stefano’s apartment features a mirrored Art Deco-inspired built-in cabinet that extends into the living area; the couple laid out the living room so that it faces out towards the view of Signal Hill – a good spot for coffee and reading OPPOSITE The open-plan living area is a richly layered and lighthearted pastiche of antiques and collectables from all over the world. The monochrome shell of the apartment and extensive natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows makes them stand out even more

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‘Life is too short to have bad ice-cream. Our authentic Italian gelato is made in the traditional way with the best local ingredients’ – Heine van Wyk

‘When decorating, we decided to put a bit of our respective souls into it, with the furniture each of us loves from different parts of the world,’ says Heine.

They put an equal amount of passion into their business, Moro Gelato, which has brought them back to Cape Town on a more permanent basis. They learned the craft of making authentic Italian gelato from Stefano’s family, but even Heine, who’s Afrikaans, has become quite the connoisseur. ‘It’s been a part of Stefano’s life since he was a child. His grandfather was one of the first in the early 1980s in Italy to get a domestic gelatomaking machine, and his grandmother became an expert in homemade gelato,’ says Heine.

When they decided to turn this universal pleasure into a business, they went to Bologna to learn from the gelato-making masters. To go with their generations of gelato wisdom and treasured family recipes, Heine enrolled in an online website-building course, and after they landed in Cape Town he did another one through UCT in small business management. All this homework resulted in a brand, a website and logo, and premises at the very trendy Mason’s Press development in Woodstock.

‘Woodstock is close to home, and is an area with lots of new energy, mainly because of the young businesses that put in a lot of hard work and are very creative. It’s a neighbourhood that has a lot of potential for synergy and collaboration,’ says Stefano.

Heine and Stefano only sell their artisanal product to a few local restaurants, and at the Oranjezicht City Farm market and Lourensford Harvest Market on weekends, preferring to keep the scale small for now; even their shop at Mason’s Press is open only for a few hours on Thursdays or by appointment.

The gelato is made using the freshest natural and local ingredients. ‘Our product is fresh and made in small batches, as the artisanal manner requires. That’s how we’re able to avoid adding preservatives and vegetable or hydrogenated fats,’ Stefano explains. ‘We would never sell food that our grandmas wouldn’t recognise as edible.’

And with choices like marchese (made from macadamia butter and homemade caramelised almonds), pawpaw and Black Forest sorbets, and portofino (cream with a cherry sauce), it’s a sure bet his grandparents would be proud. morogelato.co.za

RIGHT The compact kitchen has a sophisticated look thanks to the black cabinetry and white subway tiles. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT The farm-style dining table and chairs offer a foil to the slick kitchen; three of the star flavours: marchese, paw-paw sorbet and pistachio; Charlene Stephenson, kitchen manager at the Mason’s Press shop and Heine’s sister, makes up part of the family enterprise

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LIFESTYLE

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LIFESTYLE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The classic freestanding tub and black-and-white tiles give the bathroom an elegant period feel; many of the walls, like here in the bedroom, were painted black to add depth and a sense of space to the quaint apartment; Stefano Moro is the Italian link – it’s his grandmother’s recipes the gelato is based on

STEFANO’S IDEAL FOODIE DAY n 8am Breakfast at Skinny Legs and All (skinnylegsandall.co.za) in Loop Street. n 12:30pm Lunch at Giulio’s Cafe (giulios. co.za) in Loop Street. n 3pm Coffee at Haas (haascollective.co.za) in Buitenkant Street. n 5pm Beer and snacks with friends at The Village Idiot (thevillageidiot.co.za). n 9pm Dinner at Bukhara (bukhara.com).

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One luxury four bedroom Penthouse unit of ±530m² is situated at the top level on the new vertical extension of the build. Clean, stylish colour palette throughout, dramatic cascading waterfall Façade feature. Bang & Olufsen audio visual. Penthouse kitchen and design accents by ARMANI Casa.

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Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the Brangelina of yesteryear, on board his private yacht, the Kalizma. Years later, this exquisite vessel, which was once the scene of Hollywood scandals and paparazzi pot shots, enjoys an elegant retirement from the limelight in its fully refurbished splendour

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LUXURY YACHTS

GOING

OVERBOARD Text Simon Williams Photographs Gallo Images/Hulton Archive/David Cairns (OPENING PORTRAIT), supplied

LIKE THE VERY BEST SPORTS CAR OR THE INTRICATE WORKINGS OF A TOP-DRAWER WATCH, LUXURY YACHTS ARE THE PRODUCT OF REMARKABLE ENGINEERING AND VISION, AND NOTHING ELSE ANNOUNCES TO THE WORLD IN QUITE THE SAME WAY THAT YOU’VE ARRIVED

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or many, the word ‘yacht’ may conjure up images of sleek sailing boats with tiny cramped cabins and only enough room on deck for wizened sailors to do their tacking, winching and reflecting out to sea. But life on the modern-day, multimillion-dollar super-yacht is geared towards luxury, comfort and incomparable indulgence.

Uniformed crew members attend to the every whim of passengers, and fears of seasickness or frizzy hair are packed away in Louis Vuitton carryalls as the pampered wealthy smile their way from marina to marina in the sunkissed ports of Saint-Tropez, Monte Carlo and Portofino.

For years, images of the rich and famous aboard private luxury watercraft – from Richard Burton romancing Elizabeth Taylor on the classic Kalizma to more recent newlyweds George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin whipping up a frenzy when they whizzed to Venice’s grand 13th-century Palazzo Cavalli in their vintage speedboat, Amore – have been the fodder of tabloid magazines and their voyeuristic readers. Indeed, the lives of the rich and famous look impossibly glamorous against the backdrop of multilevel decks, helicopter pads and onboard swimming pools.

By modern standards, Kalizma (named after Burton’s daughters Kate, Liza and Maria) is a mere dinghy. Still in commission and beautifully modernised, the 165-foot classic Edwardian motor yacht, originally launched as Minona, was used by the British navy in World War One and World War Two, although, arguably, she saw more hostility in the BurtonTaylor years than in either of the wars.

More than a century later, she is privately owned and touring the waters of the Mediterranean, the Gulf and Southeast Asia.

Contrast, if you will, the Kalizma with the Octopus, which has been spotted at times in several South African ports. Owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and built at a cost of $200 million, the Octopus is 416 feet long, has a permanent crew of more than 50 and boasts a glassbottomed pool, a 10-man submarine, a basketball court and two helicopters (presumably because one is just never enough). At the time of its

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ABOVE, FROM LEFT Many of today’s luxury yachts are not unlike large, floating, multistorey luxury apartment buildings or hotels; the interiors of larger superyachts are palatial in style if not in size OPPOSITE Classic lines and impeccable finishes are hallmarks of the smaller vessels that are nonetheless among the most expensive that money can buy

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LUXURY YACHTS

The lives of the rich and famous look impossibly glamorous against the backdrop of multilevel decks, helicopter pads and onboard swimming pools

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OPPOSITE TOP AND LEFT Measuring 433 feet in length and just under 200 feet in height, the concept Star super-yacht by Igor Lobanov offers more than 37 000 square feet of interior space and is being touted as the world’s most exclusive hotel RIGHT AND ABOVE LEFT An organic aesthetic meant to evoke the structures of natural marine formations informed the design of the Unique Circle Yachts by Zaha Hadid for Blohm + Voss.

These concept designs and others like it will become a reality in the near future

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LUXURY YACHTS

One wonders whether one-upmanship is a box to be checked on the order forms given to the creators of these increasingly hefty pleasure crafts

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LUXURY YACHTS

The Mirage by local boat builders Matrix Yachts will dock at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront in early 2016

ALL ABOARD SA’s scenic coastlines are renowned for their conduciveness to ocean activities, and local boat companies are getting on board with launches and redesigns. n Matrix Yachts is launching the purposebuilt private day-sail catamaran Mirage in early 2016. With space below deck and on the expansive fly deck above, it can host up to 130 guests. The sophisticated design features a trampoline area ideal for sunny days, awnings for shade and a full array of safety features. For entertaining, there are two outdoor grills and two on-board bars.

The Mirage team are available to arrange a seamless experience – from concept to delivery – for an array of events on board. mirage760.com n Robertson & Caine replaces the Leopard 39 with the Leopard 43 Powercat. The redesigned mid-size catamaran with exteriors

by Simonis Voogd Design has large windows in the galley which give it an indoor-outdoor feeling (by virtue of near-panoramic views) and on the large fly bridge you’ll find a grill, wet bar and access to the sunbathing platform. robertsonandcaine.com

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construction in 2003 it was the largest yacht in the world, but today it has been superseded in both size and expense by bigger, better and swankier behemoths of the boating world.

For instance, Leonardo DiCaprio recently took time off from not winning Oscars to grow a hefty beard, march for the environment, speak at the United Nations and spend his Brazil World Cup vacation on the fifthlargest yacht in the world, the Topaz. Worth £400 million, it is owned by Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a billionaire oil tycoon from the UAE who also owns Manchester City Football Club. Measuring 482 feet in length and 70 feet across, with a stainless-steel hull and aluminium superstructure, its features include a deck-top Jacuzzi, a fitness centre (to work off the plentiful martinis), a cinema, a large conference room and, of course, that all-essential accessory, a helicopter pad (it has two).

So, what could possibly eclipse a yacht of such size and luxury? The answer: the 536-foot leviathan owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who owns Chelsea Football Club. (It would seem that superyachts and league-winning football clubs are must-haves for today’s average billionaire.)

Eclipse has the features, styling and accessories, and chest-thumbing grandiosity of Topaz, only it is bigger, better and – rumoured in some circles to be priced north of a billion dollars – certainly more expensive. And yet it is smaller and less lavish than what must surely be the world’s biggest yacht, Azzam (590 feet by 68 feet), which is owned by the half-brother of the owner of Topaz, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who undoubtedly has as many billions in the bank as he does letters in his name.

One wonders whether one-upmanship is a box to be checked on the order forms given to the creators of these increasingly hefty pleasure crafts. Is it simply a case of ‘Here is a blank cheque, make it pointy at the front end and bigger than the other bloke’s’? This would be a pity, as there are many classic, exquisitely designe,d yachts that are smaller but just as envy-inducing.

Princess Yachts, a luxury-boat-building company based in Plymouth, UK, is less likely to build you a boat that you’d have to parallel park to get into the

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LUXURY YACHTS

Riva is associated with classic stylish, heritage and flawless craftsmanship RIGHT Faultless attention to detail makes their boats a favourite

Mediterranean than to offer watercraft that are more understated and yet no less glamorous. The late South African business icon Graham Beck was no stranger to the champagne lifestyle – after all, he built an empire that includes Barack Obama as a fan. What is perhaps less commonly known about Beck, however, is that he was once the owner of Princess Yachts.

This boatbuilder has real luxury clout. Sold by Beck in 2008, the company is now owned by LVMH, the multinational conglomerate that turns out posh luggage, real French champagne and fine cognac. It seems self-evident that one would add a luxury yacht to a shopping list that contains a Louis Vuitton suitcase, a case of Moët & Chandon and a bottle of Hennessy. Princess Yachts, which started as Marine Projects making 20-foot dayboats, now sells a range of 80 boats topped by 95-foot luxury cruisers, all of which test the superlative.

Italian yacht builder Riva may not agree to knock you up a yacht big enough to land a space shuttle on. Rather, its emphasis is on craftsmanship, quality and, as it puts it, ‘innovative design’. Its creations are smaller – yachts of 27 to 115 feet in length – and eschew brashness for elegance.

With a long, rich history dating back to a stormy day in 1842, Riva has crafted yachts for the discerning wealthy, with Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and Sean Connery among its famous customers. The legend of the Riva empire was born at Lake Iseo in Sarnico, Italy, where a newly arrived Pietro Riva undertook to repair boats damaged in a massive storm. From these somewhat humble beginnings in the Riva boatyard, the eponymous

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With a long, rich history dating back to a stormy day in 1842, Riva has crafted yachts for the discerning wealthy, with Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and Sean Connery among its famous customers

dynasty has crafted many vessels, with each new generation building on the legacy of the design and innovation of the one before. In the golden age of the 1950s, Carlo Riva created his chef-d’oeuvre, the Ariston, which was ‘designed with love, born pure and strong like a pedigree horse’. ‘Unforgettable!’ he enthused. ‘It was my lord of the sea.’

In 1962, with designer and architect Giorgio Barilani now on board the Riva team, the Aquarama was launched. Sailing under the slogan ‘Sun, sea, joie de vivre’, it became a symbol of luxury and entered yachting folklore, so much so that Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of the supercar manufacturers, decided to marry a pair of Italian icons by putting two of his V-12 engines onto his specially ordered Aquarama hull.

This extraordinary creation had long been forgotten in a boatyard before being restored to its former glory by Riva-World with the assistance of the Lamborghini Museum in Italy. During the three-year restoration, the wooden hull was lovingly repaired, sanded and treated to 25 layers of new coatings. The chrome was buffed back to shiny splendour and the interior restored and re-upholstered under the watchful eye of… Carlo Riva. The original V-12s weren’t available, so they were replaced by adapted Lamborghini power-horses.

Indeed, the owner of this classic beauty might not need two helicopters, but would have a one-off that is as timeless as it is legendary.

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SMALL CHANGES, BIG RETURNS

CHANGING IT UP THE POINT OF ANY RENOVATION, WHETHER SMALL SCALE OR EXTENSIVE, IS TO MAKE A SPACE WORK BETTER Text Genevieve Putter Photographs Greg Cox/bureaux.co.za, supplied

CASE STUDY 1 | UPWARDLY MOBILE

T

he decision to renovate – and the ideas around that decision – may be arrived at after the owner has lived in a home for some time, or when buying with that in mind.

Usually the expertise of a trusted architect or builder will be enlisted to interpret the needs of the homeowner, which will inevitably inform the redesign.

These three renovations presented different challenges but each has resulted in a beautiful space, happy clients and a big return on investment.

When interior designer Dylan Thomas was approached to add a ‘wow’ factor, and more depth and space to the living area of a two-bedroom apartment high up in Sea Point, he came up with an interesting solution: wall panelling. This treatment creates the illusion of height in the main living area, achieved with narrow, tall panels.

The trick to getting this look, says Dylan, is to ‘choose a moulding design that you like, get a framing company to make up the timber moulds to the size you require, and have them installed professionally by a handyman or someone who has done this treatment before’. Then get a professional painter to paint them the same colour as the wall. Aside from wall panels, Dylan’s other tips for making rooms appear bigger are the addition of floorto-ceiling curtains, painting walls white, opting for bigger furniture (even in relatively pokey places), and going for big or big-framed art. dylanthomaz.com

Dylan’s idea of creating depth with wall panelling was achieved by painting the panelling moulds the same colour as the wall. This also adds texture to the space, enhanced by the thick woven rug and white knitted scatters. The plain white armchairs further magnify the illusion of more space

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Ramon wanted to maintain the original cottage aesthetic for the extension so they continued the theme of paned black-steel windows and thatched roof. It was expensive, he says, ‘but the results were worth it’. He also loved the big tree in front of the living room, which they did everything to keep

BEFORE

CASE STUDY 2 | GRANDE DAME GETS A FACELIFT When Ramon Casado, design director of Bulthaup Kitchens, started looking for a home in Cape Town, the idea of a grand old dame with a thatched roof was never a serious option for him and his family. But after viewing this property, with its garden that included old trees curled around the 90-year-old house, he was sold. ‘Aside from needing new ceilings and bathrooms, the major portion of the project was to build a kitchen and living extension, as well as convert the garage to a small self-contained one-bedroom cottage,’ says Ramon. The changes were actioned by Cape Town-based architects G-Squared (gsquared.co.za).

The major extension of the home included a very distinctive solution to creating a bigger kitchen, scullery and laundry area. ‘We built a glass conservatory to link the kitchen and the breakfast area with the main living area. It’s a beautiful solution because when all the doors are open it feels like the breakfast area is right in the garden,’ Ramon says.

When it came to the choice of materials, he wanted to stay true to the thatchedcottage aesthetic of the home, and went for simple, basic and neutral finishes like granite and timber floors. ‘In the kitchen we chose the b3 system from Bulthaup with very durable materials, so the work surfaces are laminate, which is tough and stain resistant and kid-proof. We also used grey aluminium for pocket doors that hide all the small appliances, and the fridge, freezer and storage cabinets, as a contrast. For appliances, we went with the very top of the line from Gaggenau.’ livingkitchens. bulthaup.com

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SMALL CHANGES, BIG RETURNS

BEFORE

The addition of a glass skylight/atrium floods the space with light, giving it a completely different feel from before, when the space felt cramped and dark, and enhancing the indoor/outdoor flow

ABOVE The living room looks onto the breakfast nook and beyond that to the kitchen, which in its prior incarnation was dark and outdated LEFT The glass conservatory that houses the breakfast nook is a clever solution to link the kitchen with the living room. The pitched shape of the glass structure’s roof echoes the thatch and gives the building’s silhouette consistency

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BEFORE

CASE STUDY 3 | OLD BONES, NEW BODY The owners of this heritage home in Oranjezicht, Cape Town, bought it as a fixer-upper. They wanted to retain the old Victorian aesthetic of the house but bring it up to date with added quirk via clever design solutions and furnishings. They consulted with their friend, interior designer Clair Drier of Flock Design, to turn it into their dream home.

While the entire home and garden underwent an extensive makeover, it was in the kitchen and living room and on the veranda where the magic really happened. The owners, who love entertaining, wanted a galley kitchen to add to the contemporary look, and, says Clair, ‘Structurally, we opened up the archway to create more space and flow to the living area.’ Clair called on Spotlight Kitchens (spotlightkitchens.co.za), who came up with the idea of adding a cut-out groove stretching across the kitchen cabinetry to make the whole space look more linear and create the illusion of elongation.

‘In the living room, the exposed beams were refurbished and cleaned up.

We decided to leave them, as they add to that cottage-farmhouse feel.’

The generous veranda feels like another room. ‘When the owners bought it, the entire space was used for storage,’ says Clair. ‘We opened up the front side but kept the side around the corner enclosed to provide some respite from the wind in summer and rain in winter.’ flockdesign.co.za

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The combination of light-grey floors and white shutters that open onto the veranda enhance the space even more. Essentially, the point was to create a comfortable living node outside to be utilised no matter the season. The pendant lights, as opposed to hardy outdoor light fittings, as well as the quaint breakfast table and chairs add to the effect of the veranda being an extension of the home and not just an outside area

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SMALL CHANGES, BIG RETURNS

Adding to the sleek, streamlined effect in the kitchen is the thin, chamfered edge of the countertops and the handleless cupboard doors

Clair added uplighters to the empty spaces between the beams as a way to warm up the space and for visual effect. The soft light really adds a lovely glow to what would otherwise be a dead space

BEFORE

BEFORE

BEFORE

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BUT WE AGREED… PAPERWORK’S POSITIVE SIDE In an increasingly regulated world, one may be tempted to steer back to the ‘old days’ when agreements were cast in stone by the parties’ handshake and supporting paperwork was not (such) a dominant aspect. Whatever one’s considerations, it is ill-suited where you deal with rights with regard to your property. A recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) decision illustrates why it is so important to meticulously record such agreements.

The facts in the matter were, briefly, that Mr X commenced developments on his property after fire damage. Mr Y, a neighbour, was of the view that the developments breached zoning scheme and title deed conditions, but was amenable to supporting X’s departure applications to the local authority in exchange for certain height servitudes against X’s property.(X’s property was in front of Y’s property, both overlooking the sea.) Various draft propositions were made, but X continued with building before there was an actual agreement.

When Y thereupon tried to enforce registration of the servitudes, X denied having agreed to any specific departure or height servitudes, and Y approached the Court.

The SCA ultimately found in favour of Y, holding that it was not shown that any oral agreement was reached. This, coupled with the fact that our law requires any agreement for the alienation of ‘any interest in land’ to be in writing and signed by both parties, would in any event render an oral agreement invalid. The alienation of an ‘interest in land’ included the exchanges of rights in property - such as in the present matter where X would agree to the registration of height servitudes in exchange for Y’s concession in respect of building deviations.

Speak to expert property attorneys for all your dealings with your property.

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MORE THAN JUST THE PAPER WORK

YOUNG URBANISTS

STREET VIEW CAPE TOWN’S YOUNG URBANISTS ARE, IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS, REVOLUTIONISING THE CITYSCAPE – AND THE PERCEPTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH IT Compiled by Genevieve Putter

Ilze Wolff, architect and facilitator of new understandings of the built environment

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‘Our concepts of identity are being reimagined. It’s not about nationalism any longer but more, in my view, about a sense of place and belonging. When this is secure, people are free to express themselves socially, politically and culturally but also to create, reimagine and develop the cities they wish to live in’ – Zahira Asmal

ZAHIRA ASMAL | PUBLISHER AND CURATOR Photographed by Grant Payne @mynameisgrant_ As the founder of multimedia publishing and research company The City, Zahira’s newest venture is the much-anticipated anthologies, Movement, on the cities of Johannesburg and Cape Town, with a ‘posterzine’ for Durban. Her interests in design for socioeconomic change have led her to work on innovative projects such as her first book, Reflections & Opportunities: Design, Cities and the World Cup (2012: The City), as well as a ‘place-making’ project in collaboration with architect David Adjaye at Jozi’s Park Station. thecityagency.co.za Q: How did The City publishing company come about?

A: Given the fact that South African cities have the highest Gini coefficient (which means our cities are the most socioeconomically and spatially divided in the world), yet 64% of our population reside in them, I wanted to gauge the attempts to make them more integrated and inclusive. I also wanted to understand the influence of design in these city-making efforts – in the private, public and academic sectors – in order to plan for a more considered way of developing our cities and ultimately to influence

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policy on urban regeneration. In February 2010 I founded The City for these purposes; and to produce a multimedia report, a book and a series of seminars and tours on city-making and design developments in our democracy. With particular reference to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the bigger aim was to service Designing South Africa (DZA), a social organisation and programme I initiated in 2009.

Q: Talk us through your two books, Movement Cape Town and Movement Johannesburg.

A: This innovative series of publications and experiences uses movement as a conceptual device through which to read three major South African cities: Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. While Durban was presented as a graphic posterzine, Cape Town and Johannesburg have been explored in greater depth. Functioning as both a guide for visitors and a resource for residents, the Cape Town and Johannesburg books re-read the historical and contemporary forces that continue to shape these cities. They explore fraught histories, poetically question contemporary decisions, and critically reflect on social change, thereby

allowing for an engaging and inspired reading of each city. What’s more, all the content is presented by these cities’ accomplished residents – authors, academics, photographers, researchers, designers and artists.

Q: What are the biggest challenges facing South African cities?

A: Something to consider when understanding our cities is to look at what we all inherited and what we feel entitled to; there’s a distinction between the two. In 1994, depending what race and level of privilege we were and had, we inherited a set of circumstances that in turn caused us to behave in a certain way in our cities today. It plays out in service-delivery protest, in crime, in complacency, in the brain drain, etc.

At the moment, we feel entitled to a number of things that are causing us to be complacent rather than being engaged urban citizens. Yes, there are some mavericks out there but not a sufficient number to turn South African cities around. We need to make some bold moves – not just government but all of us – to make our cities more equitable and more inclusive for residents as well as visitors.

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YOUNG URBANISTS

MARCO MORGAN | PLANNER IN THE WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT AND SKATER Photographed by David East @daveast Marco has been working at the Department of Transport and Public Works as a planner for the last eight years. More recently he’s moved to the Regeneration Directorate to assist rethinking the use and development of public land and properties. He’s also a member of the National Skate Collective, an advocacy group for the skateboarding community, and was instrumental in the development of the city’s first skatepark in Mill Street, Gardens. facebook.com/NationalSkate-Collective-313344875389908 Q: What projects fall under your new position?

A: I’m the newest member and part of a really diverse team of dreamers and pragmatists who approach each project collectively. I’m currently working on the Two Rivers Urban Park project and Tygerberg Hospital Estate, among others.

The work I do is a bit transversal, and I still find my way back to strategy and planning from time to time, most often to check up on and nurture the projects I really got stuck into, like the Western Cape Infrastructure Framework 2040.

Q: Tell us about the Skate Collective.

A: Our passion for skateboarding is deep-rooted, and our thoughts centre on the possibilities that this simple piece of wood can engage in the urban landscape. For most skaters, the objective is as simple as ‘skate every damn day’, but to do this, we need to advance the skate culture and community. The Skate Collective is a vehicle to help with these plans, creating a single loud voice and platform for skaters to engage on issues affecting them. One of the projects the National Skate Collective is currently busy with is the formation of the South African Skateboarding Federation, a collective body to govern the sport of skateboarding, unite fragmented pockets of skaters and guide the development

of this choice sport for South African urban kids. While my knowledge of advocacy and the ability to navigate the systems and networks of Government does help a lot, I’m just a skater.

Q: What’s the current policy of the city towards skateboarding?

A: At the moment the lines are blurred. The city is charging ahead with policy and infrastructure to encourage a non-motorised-friendly city, and public spaces are being redeveloped to satisfy a broader spectrum of users. However, skateboarding is still plagued by outdated legislation and planning methodologies relating to the use of streets and public space. The Skate Collective has been working with the city of Cape Town’s Skateboarding Task Team on identifying these obstacles and addressing them, but the process has been a long and perplexing journey. After three or four years of meetings, it seems that we’ll soon finally have a position on skateboarding as a mode of transport, and we’ve set up a working group with skaters and city officials to develop and guide skateparks in and around the city.

Q: What’s the most memorable project you’ve worked on?

A: Beyondtheskatepark, a programme of projects that has set out to challenge the perception that most people have of skateboarding. The programme included performances in the public arts festival Infecting the City, which symbolised the reclamation of space, to unlocking the Western Cape Government’s entrance halls for a once-in-a-lifetime skate event called Redbull Unlocked. Each project undertaken as part of Beyondtheskatepark has been incredibly memorable in that it challenged the status quo and inspired others to do so as well.

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KIRSTEN WILKINS | URBAN DESIGNER AND URBAN CYCLING ADVOCATE Photographed by Jessica Stafford @jessbinxx Having recently taken up a position created just for her at the Cape Town Partnership, Kirsten is looking forward to bringing some strategic planning to the various projects in her portfolio as well as creating synergy between them – all the while advocating for urban cycling and the overall benefits it has not just for individuals but for the city as a whole. capetownpartnership.co.za, bicyclecapetown.org Q: You’re an urban designer and an urban cyclist. How do the two tie together?

A: With almost half of the city living under the poverty line, and the average cost of transport being roughly 30% of monthly income (often more), we need to be looking at how to change this and not simply tweaking old methods of development and urbanism. Urban design by its very nature is a public-good profession, and so bicycles as a tool for social justice ties these two aspects together well. There’s a strong economic case for bicycle-friendly cities, which the private sector understands, and we’re seeing more developers and corporates getting involved in some wonderfully practical projects. Easing congestion, lowering carbon emissions and cultivating a healthier population are all ancillary benefits of an uptake in bicycle usage, but without giving people a chance to escape the poverty trap, these paybacks mean very little.

Q: What was the most memorable project you have worked on?

A: For the past 18 months I’ve been assisting with rethinking the East City Precinct with the team from 75 Harrington Street (see page 44 of the October issue where we featured the co-working hub of 75 Harrington Street). We wanted to

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create a thriving open-source co-working space, but to do so we’ve had to put substantial effort into understanding the neighbourhood and its rhythms. This is tactical urbanism at its finest. We’ve been very agile and open to new ideas, and experimented with all manner of urban interventions, in order to attract young creative thinkers, revive street culture and create opportunities for urban upgrade. The outcome can best be explained as creating ‘engineered serendipity’.

Q: What is the biggest challenge facing South African cities, and Cape Town in particular?

A: A lack of agility. The people, businesses and ideas that are thriving are those that are underpinned by a robust and transparent leadership style that can quickly absorb and adapt to change. Our governance structures, both within cities and regionally, simply can’t cope with curve balls, be they economic, social or structural. There are talented and committed people drowning in our bureaucracy.

It saddens me – but there is a positive side: citizen engagement is undergoing an incredible metamorphosis, sloughing off complacency and getting involved in practical change.

It’s an exciting time to be in advocacy.

Q: What are your hopes for the future of this city?

A: An immediate fascination of mine is disrupting the tourist/local nexus. What I hope for the short term and going into the holiday season is that the city pushes for a more authentic representation of our urban reality.

The thinking is that if it works for locals, it will draw tourists.

NOVEMBER 2015 www.realestatemagazine.co.za

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YOUNG URBANISTS

‘The exhibitions, tours, documentaries and publications we create through OHA stimulate our curiosity about our built environment. OHA is a vehicle to explore and produce our reflections, and runs parallel with the work of Wolff Architects to encourage a deepened creative architectural practice of consequence’ – Ilze Wolff ILZE WOLFF | ARCHITECT AND FACILITATOR OF NEW UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Photographed by Thoban Jappie @thoban

Ilze is a founding member of Cape Town-based Wolff Architects (her husband Heinrich is the other), and is also at the helm of Open House Architecture (OHA). The latter is concerned with the coordination of various events, publications and other forms of communication about Cape Town’s built environment. wolffarchitects.co.za, oharchitecture.blogspot.com Q: To what do you attribute your fascination with the built environment?

A: I developed an interest in the politics of space during graduate work in African Studies at UCT. I learnt that buildings and architectural space are never neutral but signifiers of power, privilege and exclusion. Architectural interventions could subvert social conditions to produce positive change – but only through the will to dispel one’s blindness, see things for what they are, and critically engage with the challenges to change conditions.

Q: What have been your biggest insights since you began hosting the OHA events in 2007?

A: The events encourage a different way of looking at architecture. We try and contextualise, and in some cases re-contextualise, the buildings that make up our city. History has a huge role to play but even more powerful is how historic perspectives can inform contemporary practices.

The events can raise interesting questions, some obvious but not often discussed. For instance, why are there so many vacant industrial buildings along Salt River Main Road? What does it say about global economies and the spaces that it produced?

How were these spaces shaped in the conditions of racialised labour and gendered practices of the past? Have the conditions remained the same or morphed into new ways of building? The OHA events establish a platform for discussion and conversation about how buildings came to be as they are and what they currently represent.

Q: What changes would you like to see to this city in the years to come?

A: There’s an urgent need for the repair of the segregated city. The city administration should lead and enable this agenda and, as architects, private investors and ordinary citizens, we should all perpetuate an agenda to reduce structural poverty and urban exclusion. I’d like to see the same focus on and investment in the development of the public urban sphere (parks, public transport, inclusive housing) as there currently is in the private urban domain (office parks, security housing estates, gentrified industrial zones).

www.realestatemagazine.co.za

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‘It’s amazing the power people have to change their situations just with the knowledge that they have someone on their side to help them’ – Sizwe Mxobo

SIZWE MXOBO | TOWN PLANNER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPER Photographed by Ockie Fourie @theworldsyoungestman

From a young age Sizwe always wanted to know what it would take to transform an informal settlement into a formal one. His story and the work he does with NGO the Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC) have helped him get closer to an answer. His approach critiques traditional town planning as a profession that has always focused on space as opposed to the people who use it. His methodology of subverting this when applied to informal settlement planning (focusing on how people use the space and what the habits are that form around it) won him the South African Planning Institute (SAPI) Young Planner of the Year Award in 2014, and secured him a spot on this year’s programme for TedX Cape Town. sasdialliance.org.za Q: What have been the most memorable projects you’ve worked on with CORC? A: The first reblocking project (repositioning shacks in very densely populated informal

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settlements) I did in 2012 and 2013 will always stand out. It was to restructure a whole community in the informal settlement of Mshini Wam outside Milnerton. I project managed it, not just from the design and the actual planning side but from the implementation of these and getting the community involved. There was a lot of pressure on us to make it work and the biggest lessons I learnt during this project were firstly, the importance of empowering the community so they could drive the project and eventually take ownership of it, and secondly, the line between the technical or scientific side of town planning and the human and social side of it is becoming ever more blurred, especially in the context of informal settlements.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges facing the city of Cape Town?

A: Post 1994, we still value buildings more than people; and, even more so than during apartheid, we place more importance on the financial value

of land rather than its social value. Cape Town was structured to serve apartheid and it broke our society. Today we’re still reeling from this and nothing is being done to change this structure.

Q: How should we address these issues?

A: We need to try to find core values that are socially inclusive and begin the process of planning our cities around them. Apartheid fragmented our society and we need to find cohesiveness again for a new, inclusive definition of what being South African means.

In an interview with the Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI) South African Alliance, I summed up a key element of the role of a planner as being to ensure the relationship between people and land: ‘Public participation should be more than drawing up plans and asking for a community’s approval. It should be about supporting people to come up with their own development plans for their communities.’

NOVEMBER 2015 www.realestatemagazine.co.za

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YOUNG URBANISTS

MEET THE IGERS Instagram is the perfect platform to capture the energy of today’s continuously evolving contemporary cities, their people and their buildings.

It’s for this reason that we chose some of Cape Town’s most creative Igers, with burgeoning careers in photography, film and social marketing, to capture the urbanists in their respective contexts

OCKIE FOURIE |

DAVID EAST |

@THEWORLDSYOUNGESTMAN

@DAVEAST

As brand manager for international surfwear company Hurley, Ockie believes that Instagram provides another platform for people to interact with brands. While he loves portraits (and the stories they come with), he also has a keen eye for everyday details – check out his #ManholeMondays series. ‘People now send me images of manholes from Canada, Iceland, Amsterdam – all over.’

Gear of choice: iPhone 6 Plus, Canon 5D MKIII and Fujifilm X-T1.

Interesting fact: Ockie is colour-blind and struggles to edit colour-heavy images.

David is a freelance film director and cinematographer with a particular fondness for street photography and portraiture. He has a distinctive urban shooting style, and enjoys the visual effects that come from playing with perspective. He sees Instagram as a means to get good practice in honing his photographic skills.

Gear of choice: iPhone 5s, Panasonic GH4 and Sigma 18-35 1.8 Art. Interesting fact: He shoots for a lot of local bands and footwear brands.

JESSICA STAFFORD | @JESSBINXX

THOBAN JAPPIE | @THOBAN

GRANT PAYNE | @MYNAMEISGRANT_

Jessica, who’s studying full time at UCT towards a medical degree, has a style with a distinctly feminine touch, and her aesthetic has garnered her a relatively large following. She uses the socialmedia platform as a means to not only expand her photography skills but meet interesting people, and her Instagram feed is full of fashion, architecture and nature.

Gear of choice: Samsung S4 Zoom and Canon 100D. Interesting fact: She’s a final-year Medical Bioscience student.

Thoban co-founded his content-production and visual-communication agency Mobile Media Mob (MMM) based on his and partner Roy Wrensch’s love of Instagram. Their real-time live social-media broadcasting and production have brought them success as well as big-brand clients like Samsung, Gallo Music and Johnnie Walker.

Gear of choice: iPhone 6S and Fuji XT1.

Interesting fact: Thoban was a winner in last year’s iPhonenography competition. Although he uses his Fuji XT1 to shoot, he still edits images on his phone with VSCOCam, Afterlight and Snapseed.

This professional photographer shoots from the hip with an edgy editorial style that has gained him recognition from the fashion community and earned him gigs like the Kluk/CGDT’s Big in Japan 2015 campaign, a collaborative editorial with Levi Strauss, and seen him featured in Gaschette and Elle magazines. He feels Instagram and its networking opportunities have been instrumental in his career. He especially relishes being able to get a portrait shot without the subject even knowing it.

Gear of choice: iPhone 6 and Fuji x100.

Interesting fact: He’s only in his 20s.

www.realestatemagazine.co.za

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Property news, reports, and dream homes for sale

MARKETPLACE Text Genevieve Putter, Andrea Vinassa Photographs Supplied

SEA POINT’S SYMPHONIC SCORE The launch of the much-anticipated boutique luxuryliving apartment block The Aria, developed by Berman Bros Group (BBG), in Gorleston Road, Sea Point, is more proof of the continuous upswing of this Atlantic Seaboard suburb. With just eight 120m2 apartments, each with two en-suite bedrooms and a large covered terrace, the starting price is R5,65 million (including VAT and with no transfer duties). Each of the two penthouse

units has its own private 100m2 terrace with rooftop pool and spectacular 360-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. Designed by Juan Bernicchi of Bernicchi Architects, the north-facing contemporary building includes innovative features such as a backup generator for loadshedding, solar geysers and LED lighting. Occupation is slated for June 2016. bermanbros.co.za

RAINBOW RELOADED Just six kilometres outside Pretoria is the site of the multibillion-rand Rainbow Junction mixed-use property development, with the 94 000m2 Rainbow Mall shopping centre being the jewel in this crown. The R2,5billion mall is expected to be a cutting-edge retail and leisure destination, with more than 250 retail stores, restaurants, a state-of-the-art cinema complex and an ice rink.

Rainbow Junction will comprise some 165 000m2 of retail space, 170 000m2 of prime office space, 120 000m2 of residential space and 65 000m2 of hotel and conferencing facilities. Construction is planned to start early next year, with anticipated costs being about R12 billion over the 10- to 15-year development period. rns.co.za, rainbowjunction.co.za

CYCLING DOWN THE THAMES

GO ONLINE For more on these stories, visit our website at www.realestatemagazine.co.za.

With non-motorised transport alternatives a high priority for many big cities, it should come as no surprise that London, with its congestion and pollution issues, has come up with one of the most inventive and innovative so far. The Thames Deckway Project was developed by a group of the city’s concerned engineers, architects and artists calling itself the River Cycleway Consortium. The £600-million private-sector-funded cycleway is proposed to run along the south bank of the river for 12km, with kiosks dotted along the route. Connecting Canary Wharf with Battersea, it will be designed to rise and fall with the river’s currents, with any hazardous conditions being monitored by sensors and satellites. Funds for a feasibility study are being raised, and once the green light is given, it should take about two years to complete the project. thamesdeckway.co.uk

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MARKETPLACE

AREA SPOTLIGHT> BRYANSTON This report provides a current snapshot of the Bryanston residential property market.

DEMAND INDICATOR METRICS n Sale Listings: Properties listed for sale in Bryanston comprise approximately 26% of the total sale listings in the Sandton and Bryanston (North) Province.

Approximately 35% of the interest (views) in properties for sale in the Sandton and Bryanston (North) Province is attributable to properties listed for sale in Bryanston. n Rental Listings: Properties listed for rent in Bryanston comprise approximately 20% of the total rental listings in the Sandton and Bryanston (North) Province.

Approximately 20% of the interest (views) in properties for rent in the Sandton and Bryanston (North) Province is attributable to properties listed for rent in Bryanston.

PROPERTY TYPES n Sale Listings: The types of residential property for sale in Bryanston can be broken down into 52% houses, and 24% each flats and complexes.

A typical property for sale in Bryanston is a fourbedroom house, currently with a median asking price of R5,6m. n Rental Listings: The types of properties available for rent in Bryanston are made up of 57% flats, 27% complexes and 16% houses.

A typical property for rent in Bryanston is a twobedroom apartment, currently with a monthly median asking price of R15 000.

MEDIAN ASKING PRICES n Sale Listings: The median asking prices for residential property in Bryanston is R6,3m for a house, R2,51m for a complex and R1,76m for a flat. n Rental Listings: The median rental price for residential property in Bryanston is R32 800 p/m for a house, R16 730 p/m for a complex and R13 510 for a flat.

Total value of residential properties listed on Private Property in Bryanston are n Sales: R3 651 765 000 n Rental: R19 790 000

spotlight on…

BRYANSTON MORE VILLAGE THAN SUBURB, PRESTIGIOUS BRYANSTON IN JOHANNESBURG BOASTS EVERYTHING FROM A CORPORATE CBD TO AN ORGANIC MARKET Text Andrea Vinassa Photographs Supplied

V

ery few suburbs in Johannesburg can be mentioned in the same breath as Cape Town’s Camp’s Bay and Clifton. Bryanston is one of them, with Mount Street attracting the super-wealthy for its spectacular views and over-R20-million trophy homes. Architectural masterpieces also line the avenues of Culross Road and Eccleston Crescent, where it isn’t uncommon to find listings over R30 million.

Bryanston is conveniently located in the ‘sweet spot’ between the business hubs of Sandton, Rivonia and Fourways, with easy access to the N1 and William Nicol Drive. Once considered very ‘far out of town’, the suburb retains its rural ambience and has the quality of a village where residents maintain a close-knit sense of community.

According to Charles Vining, MD for Seeff Sandton, Bryanston is a vast area and offers a wide range of properties for sale at significantly differing prices. ‘While Bryanston is home to some of the wealthiest people in the country,

there are homes in every price bracket,’ he says.

For investors with smaller budgets who’re attracted to the suburb’s tranquillity and leafy streets, there are one-bedroom sectional-title units that can be purchased from R500 000.

‘Bryanston is an established, prestigious area experiencing increased interest for homes priced above R10 million,’ says Vining. However, solid three- and four-bedroom family dwellings can be found for under R5 million.

Sales in Bryanston are split almost evenly – one third houses, one third clusters and one third sectional-title property. Over R1 billion in sales have occurred here in the last 12 months.

The ideal suburb for raising kids, Bryanston is home to a range of country clubs, top schools, shopping centres and restaurants, and the Bryanston Organic and Natural Market, which has been held for almost four decades on the grounds of the Michael-Mount Waldorf School.

The Campus, Bryanston’s own CBD, is home to the offices of Dimension Data, Google, Microsoft, GlaxoSmithKline and others.

BOND REPAYMENT CALCULATION The monthly bond repayment to purchase a typical property in Bryanston, namely a fourbedroom house with the median asking price of R5,6m, is R52 199 p/m over 20 years at prime of 9.5% with no deposit, compared to a monthly median rental asking price of R37 000 for a four-bedroom house.

Notes: These findings represent a current snapshot of properties available on the Private Property portal. The house type complex consists of townhouses, clusters, duplexes and simplexes.

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NAUTICAL AND NICE Set within the Roggebaai Canal Tourism Precinct, and connecting Cape Town’s financial hub, the vibrant Cape Town International Convention Centre and the V&A Waterfront, is the new mixed-use Yacht Club.

Comprising residential, hotel and office space, the nautical-themed development will be an ideal precinct for those wanting to live, work and play in the heart of the city. The commercial offering will consist of A-grade office space.

The residential component will include urban apartment living to buy and to rent, the latter as corporate and long-stay accommodation.

The one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as luxury corner apartments, will range from 54m2 to 95m2, with a starting price of R2,4 million. The R1,2-billion precinct, set for completion mid-2017, will be managed by Amdec Property Developers. theyachtclub.co.za

www.realestatemagazine.co.za

2015/10/22 10:20 AM

NO TRANSFER DUTY

Search over 362 property developments across South Africa.

A home for everyone www.privateproperty.co.za

Own your slice of Africa UNRIVALLED AND UNTOUCHED KAROO

n 10 000m2 stands from R495 000 to R950 000 n Houses from R1,4m to R2,4m n 7 000ha eco-friendly, self-sustainable development n 70% sold out n Only three hours from Cape Town on Route 62 n 4x4 routes with breathtaking panoramic views n Over 160 bird species n Private game drives traversing the entire reserve n Diverse network of single-track mountain-bike trails n Free-roaming wildlife throughout the reserve n Crystal-clear mountain water all year round Private tours of the reserve by appointment only

Call 082 823 9777 or 082 928 4743 | www.touwsberg.co.za RE_October2015_TOUWSBERG_FA.indd 79

2015/09/14 1:25 PM

MARKETPLACE

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A HAND-PICKED COLLECTION OF MAGNIFICENT PROPERTIES

A NEW HOME FOR PWC International accounting conglomerate Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) will be moving its Cape Town HQ to the Waterfront Silo district mid-2016. Occupying 9 000m2 of Silo No 5, the new offices will accommodate up to 650 employees. With a focus on sustainability, the green credentials of the new building are impressive and include a seawater cooling plant, electric-car-charging points, metering systems that monitor and manage water consumption,

and high-performance glass panels that allow for 360-degree views while minimising unwanted heat and glare, and optimising natural light. The internal workspaces are designed to inspire employees and encourage interaction and collaboration. There’s also a focus on healthier lifestyles – the building is located in a pedestrian- and cycle-friendly precinct, with bicycle-storage facilities and showers and changerooms on every floor. pwc.co.za

CABIN IN THE WOODS OR CITY? With the trend of small-space living sweeping the globe, we got caught up in its rapture when we discovered this newly released book, Cabin Porn (available to purchase online), a collection of stories and photos of homemade cabins set in all kinds of locations all around the world. We got lost in its pages for hours, and we bet you will too. cabinporn.com

GO ONLINE FOR MORE INFO www.realestatemagazine.co.za

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LH 144

Knight Frank, the world’s largest privately owned global property agency, has more than 100 years of experience in selling and renting residential properties. We assist clients in every aspect of buying, investing in and selling property.

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POA

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BANTRY BAY, CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

A rare investment opportunity, to be utilised as either a house or two separate apartments. The 643m2 penthouse offers stunning views, a private garden, four en-suite bedrooms, a terrace, lap pool and ample garage. The first floor of 492m2 includes a further four en-suite bedrooms, a patio, pool and a two-bedroom apartment, with lift access to all floors. A sectional title application is currently being processed.

Bedrooms 8 Bathrooms 8 Garages 8 Living areas 7 Gail Gavrill +27 (0)82 777 6000 gail.gavrill@res.za.knightfrank.com www.knightfrank.co.za web ref: ZA3183999

LH 521

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Tyson Properties is a specialist real estate agency with more than 20 offices throughout South Africa. Renowned for its excellent grasp of global and local trends, and its holistic understanding of the changing needs of buyers and sellers, Tyson Properties offers a refreshing and professional approach.

TAMBOERSKLOOF, CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

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R29,5-MILLION

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A unique high-end property designed for the Bohemian at heart. A self-contained outhouse consists of two bedrooms and a study leading onto a verandah and balcony with scintillating views. The main house is made up of a vast entertainment platform and bedrooms on the upper level, and a bar and two studios on the lower levels. The extensive pool deck and summer terrace need to be experienced to be appreciated.

Bedrooms 8 Bathrooms 5 Garages 3 Living areas 3 Jayson Sprawson +27 (0)74 315 0466 jayson@tysonprop.co.za www.tysonprop.co.za web ref: RL20719

LH 522

Operating in 60 countries with 760 offices and 16 570 sales associates, we are proud to say that Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty is the biggest Sotheby’s International Realty organisation outside the US.

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R58-MILLION

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BANTRY BAY, CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

A collision of forest and sea adorned in glass, light and maple. The bedrooms of this triple-storey masterpiece flow onto balconies or balau decks offering intoxicating sea and forest vistas. This one-of-a-kind property includes a study with gas fireplace, two kitchens, a spa-like steam room, sauna and yoga room, a pool, double staff accommodation, a guest flatlet and a back-up generator.

Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 5 Garages 2 Living Areas 4 Lara Kaplan +27 (0)73 711 4111 lara@sothebysrealty.co.za Fran Segal +27 (0)84 983 5278 fran@sothebysrealty.co.za www.sothebysrealty.co.za web ref: 1426589

LH 510

Operating in 60 countries with 760 offices and 16 570 sales associates, we are proud to say that Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty is the biggest Sotheby’s International Realty organisation outside the US.

SANDHURST, SANDTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

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R38,5-MILLION

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This palatial classic whispers of sophisticated elegance in the Italian tradition. A grand entrance with sweeping staircase leads to reception areas ideal for lavish entertaining and a patio with vistas of a magnificent, manicured garden with water features, and cityscapes beyond. Highlights include a spa/massage room, a home theatre and a versatile bedroom suite with separate entrance.

Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 4 Garages 4 Living Areas 4 Tasha Rossen +27 (0)82 561 0675 Daniella Apteker +27 (0)82 412 1273 Mary Fourie +27 (0)82 779 1492 www.sothebysrealty.co.za web ref: 1248488

LH 523

Country Life Properties specialises in the sale of residential properties and small holdings in the areas of Beaulieu, Blue Hills Country Estate, Bridle Park, Glenferness, Kyalami, Saddlebrook Estate and Sun Valley.

An assurance of dedication and commitment.

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R16-MILLION

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BEAULIEU, MIDRAND, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

This beautifully presented property includes a modern, charming farmhouse and equestrian facilities. The home features both formal and informal reception and dining areas, and a stylish fitted kitchen. Four en-suite bedrooms, a two-bedroom cottage and a loft suite with full kitchenette ensure ample accommodation. With eight stables, staff accommodation, a pool and borehole water, luxurious country living is yours to enjoy.

Bedrooms 7 Bathrooms 7 Garages 3 Living areas 6 Hilary Powell +27 (0)82 490 0811 hilary@clroperties.co.za Karen Weilers +27 (0)83 252 3047 www.clproperties.co.za web ref: 230

LH 524

Benefit from high profile, top-quality advertising, show-house presentation and exposure through our experienced and motivated approach to selling your home. Kings Estates offers realistic valuations and a focused and dedicated service, backed by an excellent reputation in the area.

WESTCLIFF, JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

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R22-MILLION

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A beautifully renovated double-storey family home in a magnificent garden setting. The large formal lounge and dining room spill out onto a sumptuous covered verandah, perfect for year-round entertaining. A wellfitted kitchen, children’s homework room, TV lounge and his and hers studies complete the ground-floor plan.

Upstairs boasts well-appointed bedrooms and a pyjama lounge. Outside you’ll find a guest cottage, swimming pool, tennis court and borehole.

Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3,5 Garages 2 Living areas 4 Murray Haywood +27 (0)83 391 7037 murray@kingsestates.co.za Sheila Triegaardt +27 (0)82 920 1193 sheila@kingsestates.co.za www.kingsestates.co.za web ref: 20713

LH 525

The Pam Golding Property Group is a luxury home specialist. Using a partnership with London-listed Savills plc and drawing on more than 300 specialist offices around the globe, The Group is both coveted and highly regarded.

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R11,45-MILLION

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OAKLANDS, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

An extraordinary home set in a lush, treed garden, standing proudly in the heart of the highly desirable, leafy suburb of Oaklands. This immaculate and modern home boasts the perfect fusion of light, flow and design.

Classic features highlight this “statement of excellence”, including wooden-framed sash windows, stacking and French doors, luxurious wall finishes and generously proportioned reception rooms.

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Garages 3 Living areas 2 Brenda Courtney +27 (0)83 649 9017 brenda.courtney@pamgolding.co.za www.pamgolding.co.za web ref: HP1230650

LH 526

The Pam Golding Property Group is a luxury home specialist. Using a partnership with London-listed Savills plc and drawing on more than 300 specialist offices around the globe, The Group is both coveted and highly regarded.

MEYERSDAL ECO ESTATE, ALBERTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

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R17,5-MILLION

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This exclusive family home, set in a lush haven of tranquillity and privacy with panoramic views, epitomises the perfect marriage of architectural magnificence and opulence. Modern and sophisticated, it offers double-volume ceilings, light, space and attention to detail, with a warm blend of Rhodesian teak, porcelain flooring and underfloor heating throughout. The upper level offers an open-plan gourmet kitchen with scullery/ laundry, and an elegant open-plan dining area.

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 6 Garages 4 Living areas 4 Asimina du Preez +27 (0)83 581 2636 asimina.dupreez@pamgolding.co.za Jose Torres +27 (0)72 180 5192 jose.torres@pamgolding.co.za www.pamgolding.co.za web ref: 1AB1220665

LH 527

Ennik Estates/Christie’s, the exclusive Christie’s affiliate, combines the prestige of this international luxury brand with outstanding local knowledge. As a boutique agency, Ennik Estates/Christie’s takes pride in offering a bespoke marketing strategy that achieves results.

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R19,75-MILLION

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HOUGHTON ESTATE, JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

For the discerning buyer seeking a secure family home, this property has it all. Set in meticulously landscaped gardens, this home offers grand bedrooms, pyjama lounges, a study and a gym with bonsai garden.

Downstairs features include a designer kitchen and living spaces that flow onto the tranquil Zen garden with koi pond, as well as an enormous covered patio and stunning palm-lined swimming pool.

Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms 5,5 Garages 3 Living areas 6 Dan Onay +27 (0)79 505 0450 dan.onay@ennikestates.co.za Marco Bottega +27 (0)83 513 4576 marco.bottega@ennikestates.co.za www.ennikestates.co.za web ref: EN01-0802

LH 528

Exceptional homes. Powerful network. Finding your home is a personal process of discovery. The accomplished global network of LuxuryPortfolio.com is ready to assist in the journey. To explore the world’s finest properties, enter the web reference for details.

MEYERSDAL ECO ESTATE, ALBERTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

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R15,5-MILLION

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Timeless and free flowing in its design, this exquisite home offers luxurious proportions, superior finishes and remarkably tranquil views. The inviting double-volume entrance and the sweeping staircase take centre stage within this contemporary masterpiece. Impressive design features allow natural light to stream into the entire home, with the innovative open-plan segmentation of multiple living rooms creating perfect harmony and balance throughout.

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Garages 5 Living areas 4 Debbie Young +27 (0)83 307 7234 debbie.young@everitt.co.za Jacques Bronkhorst +27 (0)82 886 6415 jacques.bronkhorst@everitt.co.za www.chaseveritt.co.za web ref: 13248362

LH 529

LH 530

Exceptional homes. Powerful network. Finding your home is a personal process of discovery. The accomplished global network of LuxuryPortfolio.com is ready to assist in the journey. To explore the world’s finest properties, enter the web reference for details.

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R17-MILLION

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BARONETCY ESTATE, PLATTEKLOOF, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

This signature home offers privacy, views and nature at its best. The open-plan reception rooms include a dining room, family room, indoor gas/fire braai and indoor swimming pool, Jaccuzzi and steam room. The home also offers en-suite bedrooms, plenty of parking, top security throughout and staff accommodation. Additional features include a cinema room, a bar, a stylish kitchen that opens onto the dining area, and a separate scullery and laundry.

The landscaped garden is the ideal place from which to enjoy the uninterrupted panoramic views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Seaboard and a city skyline.

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 5 Garages 4 Living areas 3 Myra Swart +27 (0)82 422 5404 myra@everitt.co.za www.chaseveritt.co.za web ref: 12327234

TAMBOERSKLOOF, CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

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R11,9-MILLION

Situated high up against Lion’s Head with heart-stirring views, this home offers space, comfort and security.

A flourishing garden, private patio and French doors lead onto the wind-free courtyard, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and braai area. A voluminous living area leads onto a covered patio on one side and an open-plan kitchen on the other.

Meander through the irrigated garden outside for a walk up the mountain. A separate one bedroom apartment offers the possibility of dual living or rental returns.

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Garages 2 Living areas 2 Tania Grobler +27 (0)82 929 5536 tania.grobler@everitt.co.za Hofni Schoeman +27 (0)76 851 8164 hofni@everitt.co.za www.chaseveritt.co.za web ref: 3273007

LH 531

LH 532

Catering to the discerning luxury market.

BRYANSTON, SANDTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

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R18,5-MILLION

Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 5 Garages 3 Living areas 6 Regan Harris +28 (0)82 320 6464 regan@hamiltons.co.za www.hamiltons.co.za web ref: 13243645

BRYANSTON, SANDTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

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R12,95-MILLION

An exquisite contemporary farmhouse set in sought after Eccleston Crescent, on more than 2000m² of prime real estate with mature indigenous gardens. From the entrance, solid wooden flooring extends to volumed formal receptions with exposed trusses and red-brick detail.

A spacious, open-plan country kitchen with breakfast room and family room opens to a covered patio with cocktail bar. Features include double bedroom suites – the main suite of indulgent proportions – a pyjama lounge, wine cellar and study or sixth bedroom. A separate selfcontained studio or work-from-home space completes this home of absolute character and charm.

Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 4,5 Garages 3 Living areas 4 Christie Ford +27 (0)82 676 4699 christie@hamiltons.co.za Erica Porter +27 (0)82 871 7669 erica@hamiltons.co.za www.hamiltons.co.za web ref: 13247548

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A brand new contemporary masterpiece set on more than 2000m² of landscaped surrounds. Boasting fine workmanship, this abode offers extensive accommodation and cutting-edge design. From the impressive entrance, solid wooden floors flow to reception areas (including a cocktail bar, cinema and gym) and an entertainer’s covered patio with wooden decking, beyond which are a feature rim-flow pool and level gardens. The open-plan integrated kitchen features Caesarstone tops. Upstairs, generous bedroom suites are adjacent to a study and pyjama lounge. Additional features include airconditioning, home automation, solid oak flooring and immaculate interior design. Available fully furnished.

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SELECT Left: Samuel Seeff, Chairman. Select properties from our exclusive, luxury collection

NORTHCLIFF EXT.2 | R 12 000 000

EAGLE CANYON GOLF ESTATE | R 7 200 000

MAGNIFICENT MANSION FOR THE CONNOISSEUR!

AN ENERGY EFFICIENT FAMILY HOME

Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 4 Garages 3 SEEFF.COM WEB 363398 Exceptional home with style and flair! Private and secure with views! Stunning granite kitchen, large reception rooms. 5 Bedrooms en-suite, quality finishes throughout. 2 Flatlets.

Landscaped garden with pool. Excellent security and a very large generator.

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Garages 3 SEEFF.COM WEB 362271 A beautiful family home in a superb location offering “life off the grid” - solar energy with battery back-up.

Lounge, family room, study, games room, dining room, beautiful kitchen, pool and poolhouse.

Plus staff accommodation.

Cynthia Todd 082 781 4404 | cynthia.todd@seeff.com

Fiona Gaisford 082 332 3384 | fiona.gaisford@seeff.com

FAIRLAND | R 3 950 000

JOHANNESBURG NORTH | R 2 900 000

TOTALLY REFURBISHED 4-BEDROOM CLUSTER

DESIGNER’S DELIGHT - AN ENTERTAINER’S DREAM!

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 2 Garages 2 SEEFF.COM WEB 364931 Clean and modern. Underfloor heating throughout this 365m2 cluster with Caesarstone kitchen, walk-in pantry and separate scullery. Covered entertainer’s patio overlooking pool in landscaped garden.

Staff quarters. Plus plenty of extra secure parking.

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Garages 2 SEEFF.COM WEB 363815 Immaculate - a true work of art! Open-plan kitchen with opulent cupboard space, gas stove and hob.

Open lounge/dining area, games room/sun room leading onto entertainers patio.

Lush garden and sparkling pool. Fully functional cottage/staff quarters.

David Longhurst 060 634 0798 | david.longhurst@seeff.com

Colleen Green 060 634 0798 | colleen.green@seeff.com

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SELECT Left: Samuel Seeff, Chairman. Select properties from our exclusive, luxury collection

NORTHCLIFF EXT.25 | R 12 900 000 PINNACLE OF LUXURY IN DESIGN AND DECOR! Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Garages 3 SEEFF.COM WEB 366037 Panoramic northern views, spacious flowing entertainment indoor/outdoor living, fitted pub, Caesarstone kitchen, guest suite and vanishing horizon pool. Quality finishes throughout.

Cynthia Todd 082 781 4404 | cynthia.todd@seeff.com

EAGLE CANYON GOLF ESTATE | R 10 200 000 SPECTACULAR NORTH-FACING HOME ON THE GOLF COURSE Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Garages 4 SEEFF.COM WEB 366046 Welcoming entrance with fireplace, formal lounge out to spacious patio with breathtaking views of the golf course. Beautiful, generous size kitchen. Wine cellar. Heated pool in landscaped garden.

Fiona Gaisford 082 332 3384 | fiona.gaisford@seeff.com

The development at Praia da Rocha Beach Estate has been masterminded by Chris and Ella Greathead, who were previously with Wilderness Safaris and then built villas on Vamizi Island. Community involvement was a vital focus at the outset and the project employs local women in the village to hand-weave the makuti palm-thatch roofing and the village chief was involved in laying coconut husks interplanted with hardy sour fig to stabilise dunes. With long-term skills in mind, the development employed up to 135 local residents and installed a borehole at the local community school. Biological diversity is exceptional, with care taken to protect pelagic and reef rish, unbleached coral reefs, dunes with endemic cycads, grass plains and exposed dolerite outcrops.

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SPECIAL REPORT

DIVING OFFSHORE WHETHER YOU YEARN FOR YOUR OWN SHORESIDE HAVEN OR ARE SIMPLY SEEKING A VIABLE FOREIGN INVESTMENT, OUR GUIDE TO BUYING PROPERTY IN MOZAMBIQUE, MAURITIUS AND THE SEYCHELLES MAY JUST ENTICE YOU TO TAKE THE PLUNGE Text Jocelyn Warrington Photographs Adriaan Louw, Michelle Snaddon, supplied

MOZAMBIQUE While South Africans have for many years enjoyed the sun and surf of their northeastern neighbour, they’ve only been allowed to own property in Mozambique since 2005, when legislation allowed foreign investors to buy in resort developments.

Foreigners can attain property rights through numerous vehicles, including via an existing approved development, by forming a partnership with a Mozambican national, by purchasing a unit in a leisure-property project, or by obtaining residency rights.

The country’s property-ownership laws are similar to the share-block schemes used by some leisure-property developers where ownership of brick and mortar is obtained through a title deed.

This deed, known as a public national deed, allows investors to resell immovable property without restriction and make a return on investment.

All land in Mozambique is, however, the property of the state and can’t be bought or sold.

A ‘right of use’ (called a DUAT title), valid for 50 years and then renewable for another 50 years, can be obtained. This law applies to both local residents and foreigners.

‘Tax and import incentives and dividend repatriation guarantee sound and sustainable investment opportunities,’ says Kevin Lee Payne, CEO of the Coral Palm Development Group, which has been involved in numerous projects in the country, including four leisure-property condominium complexes of over 100 units, three hotel upgrades and as many tourismresort projects. ‘Investing in real estate in Mozambique as a foreigner is relatively easy to do, as long as the legal requirements are met and adhered to.’

Praia da Rocha’s private beach estate development will eventually house 44 homes in the classic architectural style of this privately owned beachfront villa. It is next door to a larger villa, The Lookout, which is ideal for would-be investors to rent for a holiday, if interested in buying in Mozambique OPPOSITE Appropriately named, Sunset Views is set higher up, with bird’s-eye views of the untouched coastline towards Tofo. Like The Lookout, it is also available for rent, providing owners with a good return on investment

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SPECIAL REPORT

CASE STUDY | PRAIA DA ROCHA

MOZAMBIQUE | OPEN FOR BUSINESS According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mozambique has experienced continued economic growth since 2014, with a real growth rate of 8,8 per cent and inflation remaining low. The National Statistics Institute puts the annual Consumer Price Index in the city of Maputo in 2012 at 2,09 per cent, the lowest in Mozambique’s postcolonial history. The real growth rate is expected to reach 9,2 per cent in 2015, according to the IMF, indicating that Mozambique as an emerging market is an exceptionally stable and growth-oriented investment opportunity.

Between 2005 and 2014, nearly 1 700 direct foreign investmentfunded projects worth over R155 billion were approved by the Mozambique government.

ABOVE, FROM LEFT The view over Praia da Roche’s magnificent South Beach from Cycad Lodge, which offers the perfect base from which to explore the aquatic delights of southern Mozambique’s Inhambane Bay; mosquito netting catches the ocean breeze in the kids’ bedroom at The Beach House, which is fully equipped to provide an ideal family escape to the Indian Ocean

Just 16km outside Inhambane in southern Mozambique, the Praia da Rocha estate has easy access to the international airport and the resort villages of Tofo and Barra, which abound in beach bars, seafood restaurants, markets and shops.

The estate, 7km off the main tarred road, is an unspoiled, peaceful sanctuary that exists in perfect harmony with its environment.

‘The style of the estate is a fusion of East African, Indian Ocean, colonial Portuguese and classic Mozambican,’ says owner Chris Greathead, adding that each house has been constructed using local hardwoods, coconut thatch, and brick and mortar tailored to clients’ specifications.

The estate, 60 per cent of which will be retained as common indigenous coastal vegetation, will eventually comprise no more than 44 beach homes. ‘To date, 18 homes have been completed and a further 12 have been purchased,’ says Greathead. Each beach house has a footprint of about 1 500m2.

Praia da Rocha bay offers safe swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and surfing. ‘You can watch whales and dolphins from your deck, dive or snorkel with whale sharks, manta rays and seahorses, and kayak through pristine mangroves,’ says Greathead. For keen anglers there’s fantastic deep-sea and fly fishing. Or you can hire a local dhow to take you sailing on Inhambane Bay, and picnic on one of the powdery white sand banks and collect pansy shells.

Stands at Praia da Rocha are available for between R300 000 and R1 million, and building packages can be tailored to suit your budget.

For further information or enquiries, contact Chris Greathead at chris@pdrbeachestate.com, or visit thelookoutatpdr.com to view the Greatheads’ serviced luxury beach-house accommodation, The Lookout, on the estate.

A seven-bedroom ocean-front villa, Colina Verde is one of just a handful of properties at Machangulo Private Nature Reserve in southern Mozambique. The villa boasts extensive indoor and outdoor living spaces and is centred around a large heated swimming pool which has an adjacent covered bar area and hot tub

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SPECIAL REPORT

ONE TO WATCH | MACHANGULO PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE Situated in the southernmost part of Mozambique, neighbouring Inhaca and Portuguese islands in the Bay of Maputo, the Machangulo peninsula comprises thousands of hectares of wilderness and over 20km of sandy white beaches. There are 12 large lakes and vast swathes of indigenous bush on the peninsula, the coastline of which falls within a protected marine reserve. Flanked to the west by bay, with the Indian Ocean lapping its eastern side and a major game reserve to the south, the Machangulo Private Nature Reserve estate is just a 20-minute flight from the capital.

The handful of luxury villas available for sale on the estate are scattered along the reserve’s coastline. Each is unique in character, built according to the preferences of its owner.

Typically consisting of several buildings with walkways connecting bedrooms to a central wing, the properties range in size from intimate family homes to eight-bedroom manors with pools, tennis courts, gyms and media rooms. All are individually priced, and the weekly rental income on these homes averages R60 000. machangulo.com

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SPECIAL REPORT

CASE STUDY | THE SANCTUARY Situated within the Bazaruto Archipelago, on the San Sebastian Peninsula, The Sanctuary was established in 2000 and is the only privately owned terrestrial and marine reserve in Mozambique. It’s a haven for wildlife, with introduced populations of eland, giraffe, zebra, kudu, waterbuck, wildebeest and nyala (among others), nearly 300 recorded bird species, and the highly endangered dugong in the surrounding waters, together with large numbers of whale sharks and manta rays. Five marine turtle species nest along the reserve’s 20km coastline.

The 30 000ha reserve was declared a protection zone in 2003, which means it’s required to conform to strict conservation and development regulations.

The estate is managed by Santuário Bravio de Vilanculos, Lda (SBV), which holds the concession on the land, and was permitted to establish no more than three commercial tourism resorts and 54 private residences here. There is also a supermarket on the estate.

SBV has as its majority shareholder a South African-registered company, Sanctuary Owners’ Association NPC (SOA), whose members are the representatives of each of the current two commercial tourism lodges and the private homes.

Members of the SOA have to abide by various rules, which include architectural guidelines, and environmental and general-conduct regulations, in relation to the use of common property. If an owner wishes to sell their property, the buyer will be bound by the rules and regulations of The Sanctuary.

Property-management services are provided to homeowners but it should be noted that The Sanctuary is not a sales agent or reservations office, and any transactions must be negotiated directly between the property owner and the interested party, says the estate’s manager Guillaume van Wyk. Enquiries can be directed to The Sanctuary office, and will be passed on to the relevant people.

According to Van Wyk, it’s possible for South Africans to buy property here – or anywhere in Mozambique, for that matter – with a view to letting it out. If it’s a tourism property (in other words, a property that will be rented out for short stays of no more than 30 days at a time), however, then a private letting licence is required. The application for this licence is done at the local tourism department, and there are various costs and requirements that need to be met. mozsanctuary.com.

CLOCKWISE Sunset at Dugong Beach Lodge on The Sanctuary, a 30 000ha reserve on Mozambique’s San Sebastian Peninsula; infinity pools with views over the Bazaruto Archipelago are part of the property offering here; a haven for marine animals, it was declared a protection zone 15 years ago; viewed from the reserve’s 20km coastline, The Sanctuary is currently home to 54 privately owned residences

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SUBURB FOCUS

THE SEYCHELLES Since gaining independence, this otherworldly archipelago of islands about 1 600km off Africa’s east coast has enjoyed over 30 years of relative political stability… and a lifestyle second to none. The Seychellois boast a near-100 per cent employment rate – online residential property investment research company Global Property Guide puts the per capita GDP at nearly US$15 000 (about R204 000), the thirdhighest human development index in Africa.

Add to that a pristine environment. The Seychelles government is considered to be one of the most environmentally conscious in the world, and the hundred or so islands are home to primeval mist forests, huge flocks of seabirds and giant tortoises, black parrots and the flightless white-throated rail (related to the extinct dodo).

Need further convincing that buying in the

Seychelles is a good idea? ‘A small population of less than 100 000 maintains a relatively small property market in the islands, which is a significant factor in keeping prices stable,’ says Chris Immelman of Pam Golding Properties International and Projects Division, which markets the Eden Island development just off the coast of Mahé. ‘As a result, the Seychelles attracts investors predominantly from South Africa, Italy, France, Britain and Russia.’

In April 2014 the Seychelles government relaxed its policy on the right to sell privately owned land to foreign nationals, and today non-Seychellois can buy privately owned land provided they meet a number of set criteria and are granted sanction by the government.

Granting of the sanction (it’s recommended that buyers hire a notary to assist with this process)

requires that the foreign applicant deposit an equivalent of SCR2 million (about R2,068 million) in foreign exchange with the Central Bank of Seychelles, deliverable to the applicant for his/her local use, including the purchase of property. For a non-citizen, the tax payable on a property is set, depending on the sort of development proposed by the applicant, at between 10 and 30 per cent of the stated transfer value. The notary fee is between one and two per cent of the transfer value but for high transfer values the fee is negotiable.

In keeping with improving the Seychelles government’s ‘Ease Of Doing Business’ programme, which is aimed at ensuring investment in the country, the new policy also makes provision for non-Seychellois to obtain long-term leases for particular developments on state-owned land.

CASE STUDY | EDEN ISLAND

ONE TO WATCH | PANGIA BEACH This high-end residential development, comprising 33 luxury beach apartments, is situated on the Seychelles’ largest island, Mahé, equidistant between the capital, Victoria, and the international airport. It has panoramic views of the stunning Sainte Anne and Cerf islands, private moorings and direct beach access.

Designed by South Africa’s SAOTA, the residences combine island-style shingled roofs with light-hued stone, textured concrete, and washed wood and granite detailing. They’re split over four buildings and range in size from one- to four-bedroom freehold apartments, to spacious three- or four-bedroom penthouses with direct lift access and their own infinity pools.

Homeowners have access to the estate’s clubhouse and pool, a gym and the marina. They also benefit from 24-hour security, carports and secure garages. The development is due for completion in May 2017. pangiabeach.com

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Built on a 56ha reclaimed ‘island’ just eight minutes from the airport at Mahé, and including some 16ha of private waterways, Eden Island has been nothing short of a sell-out success.

Nearly 500 homes with a total value of $450 million (just under R6 billion) have been bought at the luxury resort development, with sales for 2015 until October having reached over R650 million.

With basins one to four sold out, Pam Golding Properties is now marketing the final two basins, with everything from 88m2 apartments, priced from US$450 000 (around R6 million), to spacious 317m2 villas priced at US$4,25 million (around R57,2 million).

Eden Island is one of the few freehold-property developments in the Indian Ocean where foreigners can purchase, which also enables them to apply for residency. Pam Golding’s Chris Immelman puts the year-on-year increase in property values at an average of eight to 10 per cent. ‘Over and above this, a rental division provides an option to achieve very good rental yields,’ he adds.

According to Immelman, resales have also progressed well, with around US$45 million of such transactions concluded.

‘About 10 per cent of buyers are permanent residents. Generally there’s a minimum occupation on the island of about 30 per cent and maximum of 65 per cent,’ he says. edenisland.sc

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The 100-odd islands that make up the Seychelles archipelago boast a relatively small property market which, say the experts, helps keep prices stable; now in its final stages of completion, Eden Island luxury resort has a commercial marina that caters to over 200 yachts, plus 500 residential moorings; the 33 luxury apartments at Pangia Beach in Mahé were designed by South African architecture and design practice SAOTA

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SPECIAL REPORT

MAURITIUS With beautiful beaches, first-class health and education, good flight connections, widely spoken English and a vibrant social scene, Mauritius lures more than just honeymooners. Since the early 2000s, when it first embarked on its initiative to convert sugarcane land for development purposes, Mauritius has been seen by investors as highly desirable for permanent or part-time residence.

Around 2004, legislation was amended to allow foreign ownership of residential property in terms of what is known as IRS (Integrated Resort Schemes) and subsequently RES (Real Estate Schemes). This can be achieved either in a personal capacity or through a Mauritian-registered business or trust, subject to certain processes and approvals.

IRS targets the high end of the international property market and, under the scheme, residential properties can be sold freehold to foreigners at a minimum price of US$500 000 (approximately R6,7 million). Investors may sell the property with no minimum selling-price restriction or rent the property; they may elect tax residency in Mauritius and are free to repatriate funds or revenue raised from the sale or rental of the property.

Under RES, residential units are sold to noncitizens at no minimum price. Acquisition of property worth at least US$500 000 entitles the purchaser to a residency permit. This scheme is targeted mainly at those who want to work and live in Mauritius, or who want a second/holiday home.

An added drawcard is that the residency permit linked to property ownership extends to the owner’s spouse and dependants, and entitles the resident to apply for an Occupation Certificate to work or start a business in Mauritius. Moreover, IRS owners may take advantage of the favourable fiscal environment offered by Mauritius and benefit from the double taxation treaties the country has signed with 32 countries, including South Africa.

Says Rob Hudson, MD of Hayes, Matkovich & Associates, the South African company marketing La Balise Marina, an exclusive IRS project: ‘Mauritius boasts a solid economy, a stable democratic government, and a low crime rate. And with a 15 per cent tax rate, it’s undeniably attractive.’

ONE TO WATCH | LA BALISE MARINA The only residential marina development on the island, this high-end resort development in the Black River region on Mauritius’s west coast offers residences that have direct access to the sea and surrounding lagoons.

The marina consists of 56 canal-facing apartments of two and three bedrooms, ranging in size from 125m2 to 255m2; 14 villas, ranging from three-bedroom residences of 457m2 to five-bedroom residences of 517m2, all with mooring, a private pool and garden; and 73 duplexes offering from 175m2 to 220m2 of modern marina living.

The phase-one units (villas and duplexes) have been sold out, while the second and final phase of the development, which comprises the last villas and duplexes available on the estate as well as the new apartments, is due for completion in 2017. The final nine duplexes, selling for US$1,315 million (about R17,7 million) went on sale in October.

‘Forty per cent of buyers at La Balise Marina up til now have been South African,’ says Hudson, adding that La Balise’s uniqueness has ensured a high resale value. ‘Apartments bought for US$600 000 (about R8 million) three years ago have resold for US$800 000 (approximately R10,7 million).’ labalisemarina.com

ONE TO WATCH | LE PARC DE MONT CHOISY GOLF & BEACH ESTATE In September, after 10 years of planning, ground was finally broken and construction begun at this golf and beach estate between Grand Baie and Mont Choisy beach in Mauritius’s northern region.

The first IRS development in the region, Le Parc de Mont Choisy was launched to the market in early 2014 through Pam Golding Properties, and to date some 110 of these Stefan Antoni-designed units have been sold at a total value of over R1 billion. ‘The market response to this landmark new development has been exceptional from the outset, both locally and internationally,’ says Pam Golding Property group CEO Dr Andrew Golding.

Developed by 2 Futures Property Developers and Mont Choisy Property Development Company, Le Parc de Mont Choisy will comprise a total of over 200 residential units in phases one and two. Work currently under way at the estate includes construction of the first phase of apartments, with the Peter Matkovich-designed golf course to follow shortly.

Says Chris Immelman, MD of Pam Golding Properties International and Projects Division, ‘In phase one we still have some very desirable apartments available, priced from approximately R7 million, while all the villas in this phase have sold out. We’ve experienced phenomenal interest in this development, with the bulk of purchasers from South Africa and France, and a few from the UK and elsewhere internationally.’

For further information contact Pam Golding Properties International and Projects Division on 021 762 2617 or email montchoisy@pamgolding. co.za. montchoisy.com

FROM TOP La Balise Marina on Mauritius’s west coast has 56 apartments, 73 duplexes and 14 villas – all with views of the canals, marina quay or the Black River estuary; the new SAOTA-designed Banyan Villas at Le Parc de Mont Choisy in northern Mauritius

84 OCTOBER 2015 www.realestatemagazine.co.za

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PANGIA BEACH A DREAM IN PARADISE A TEMPERATE CLIMATE, UNSPOILT NATURAL BEAUTY AND A RELAXED LIFESTYLE MADE MAHÉ IN THE SEYCHELLES THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR A NEW HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Images Supplied

P

angia Beach is a legacy of love – the dream a father passed on to his daughter to establish a luxury residential development in the pristine islands of the Seychelles.

The vision for Pangia Beach is a chic and elegant yet easy and comfortable place to call home on this Indian Ocean island. Spread across four buildings, the 33 exclusive beach apartments enjoy panoramic views of Sainte Anne and Cerf

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islands. With private moorings and direct beach access, Pangia Beach is where elite architectural design meets the verdant vistas of the Seychelles.

While it’s a small archipelago, the Republic of the Seychelles is well known to sophisticated travellers the world over – and for good reason.

It’s almost impossible not to feel at ease in the temperate climate, where you’re far from the bustle of modern life but still have access to all the amenities necessary for contemporary living.

2015/10/23 11:51 AM

ADVERTORIAL

A modern take on barefoot luxury Four of the luxury units are penthouses, and the other 29 are one- to four-bedroom apartments.

Each has a seamless indoor-outdoor design showcasing the uninterrupted sea views of the pearl-white beaches and azure waters of the Seychelles.

Contemporary yet timeless, the innovative design includes spacious living areas, and floor-toceiling aluminium-framed windows that open onto private terraces or gardens with plunge pools.

The limewashed wooden decorative elements flow into the elegant bedrooms and bathrooms.

The kitchens are fit for a gourmet chef, complete with Miele appliances and Calacatta porcelain-slab countertops. These sophisticated finishes complement environmentally conscious technologies that lower water and energy consumption.

Meet the team An interior designer with years of experience at two of the world’s most renowned propertydevelopment companies, Georgia Van Heyste’s aesthetic signature and her pursuit of perfection are unmissable at Pangia Beach. Georgia and her husband Vincent, who has decades of experience in international investment banking, are the solid team driving the design and management of this superior development.

The natural beauty of the islands had to come together in perfect harmony with the bespoke and refined design of the residences, so only the best architects and contractors have been commissioned. SAOTA, the award-winning South African architectural firm run by Stefan Antoni, Philip Olmesdahl, Greg Truen and Phillippe Fouché, has experience on five continents and understand the international, elite sensibility portrayed in Pangia Beach.

And with over 37 years of high-end construction experience in the Seychelles, Laxmanbhai & Co was the obvious choice to bring the beauty of Pangia Beach to life.

Life, Seychelles style

Victoria, and the international airport. Whether you enjoy outdoor sports, from hiking to golf, relaxing on the beach, or a cruise on your yacht, the private marina, beach and clubhouse provide for any desired activity. And when city life lures, Pangia Beach is just minutes away from the cosmopolitan shops and restaurants of Eden Plaza.

Scheduled for completion in May 2017, Pangia Beach will offer the best of every aspect of the island, from the soothing leisure of barefoot luxury living to the secure privacy of an exclusive residence, and all in the incomparable setting of the Seychelles.

For more information contact: Seychelles Vincent Van Heyste | +248 262 0750 | vincent@pangiabeach.com International Gail Gavrill | +27 82 777 6000 | gail.gavrill@res.za.knightfrank.com

Situated on the Seychelles’ largest island, Mahé, Pangia Beach is equidistant between the capital,

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2015/10/23 11:51 AM

10 out of 10 living

Invest in a life of luxury The Centenary Luxury Residence is Zendai’s flagship residential development in the new Modderfontein city – a city that will change the face of Johannesburg, as we know it. Luxury one bedroom apartments are selling from R1 250 000, two bedroom apartments selling from R2 100 000 and three bedroom apartments from R2 700 000, price includes VAT. The Centenary is a lifestyle choice and an investment second to none.

10 OUT OF 10 – A MEASURE OF EXCELLENCE FLAWLESSLY ACHIEVED

1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM

APARTMENTS

from

R1 250 000

n o tr a n s f e r dut y | vat i n c l u s i v e

Y O U R 10 OUT OF 10 L IV IN G E XPERI ENCE AWAI TS! Visit our sales centre: Centenary Street • Modderfontein The Centenary Luxury Residence will be open for viewing on Sundays between 10am and 5pm.

WWW.THECENTENARY.JOBURG scan here to read more about luxury living

BRYANSTON

R8,49 million

CAPE COLONIAL COMES TO BRYANSTON! CHARMING FAMILY HOME SET ON BEAUTIFUL ACRE GARDEN IN POPULAR BRYANSTON EAST. You will want to spend your holidays at home, offering 5 lovely recep on rooms all onto large covered pa o overlooking rolling lawns with pool, firepit and tennis court. Then Berloni kitchen, 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, main suite with own study, 3 garages and staff accommoda on for 3.

WEB REF: 103250503 Jonathan Broekman 083 444 1155 & Pat Godfrey 083 266 7010

BRYANSTON

Offers in the R12 millions (transfer duty included)

WHERE LUXURY AND COMFORT MEET… MAGNIFICENT RESIDENCE IN EXCLUSIVE AND SECURE ESTATE ON 2000M² OF INDIGENOUS GARDEN. Beau fully propor oned & finished family home offering 3 gracious recep on rooms to enclosed veranda overlooking sparkling pool & landscaped garden, open plan kitchen, study, gentleman's fi ed 'wine tas ng' cellar, exquisite main bedroom suite with si ng room, luxurious dressing room & bathroom; 2 further bedrooms en suite, 4th bedroom/upstairs TV lounge. PLUS 2 bedroomed flat with lounge/dining, kitchen & bathroom PLUS huge work from home with own entrance. Staff suite, garaging for 4 cars. Top security & 24 hour guard on gate. Many extras!

WEB REF: 103091900 Sally Manson 082 964 3162 & Chris ne Brits 083 632 3472

THE PERFECT SETTING STARTS HERE WITH US...

WELCOME HOME .

Let’s meet at W W W . A H P R O P. C O . Z A +27 (0) 11 728 7013 THIS PROPERTY IS FOR SALE : WEB ACCESS: ADHS-2870

PROPERTY INVESTOR

PROPERTY INVESTOR

advice column Text Patrick Cairns Images iStock

PART 15

SPRUCE UP The best ways to increase the value of your home

A

lmost everyone who owns a property will sooner or later want to sell it.

It might not be something that you’re even considering now, but it’s important to think about it, because when the time comes, your property should be in a state that makes it attractive. Spending money on maintaining and improving it while you’re living in it will go a long way towards getting value for it later.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you should go over the top on home improvements. Always compare how much you’re going to spend with how much value you’re likely to add, and be smart about what you choose to do.

The two rooms that benefit most from renovations are always the kitchen and the bathroom. These are the areas that home buyers look at first, and they’re generally prepared to pay a premium of up to 10 per cent of the house’s value if these rooms are modernised and well appointed.

Nobody wants a kitchen that’s dated, shabby or closed off. Modern homes need large, openplan kitchens with plenty of workspace and new appliances. If you can’t afford wholesale renovations, look at whether the cupboards could be repainted, the floor tiles replaced or new taps fitted. Making these incremental changes can have a large impact in the long run.

In the bathrooms, tiled floors are important, but even small things like a new showerhead, a glass screen instead of a shower curtain, or a new toilet seat can make a big difference. If you have more to spend, think about putting in double basins or

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adding a window to let in more natural light. Fixing the plumbing, especially the hot-water supply, will also make a big difference.

Making your home more energy efficient is also a great way to increase its long-term value. Larger improvements would be installing a solar geyser and a gas stove, since these consume the most electricity. But there are also smaller things you can do, such as installing a timer on your geyser or replacing old light fittings.

Another feature that will always be important is security. Security cameras and beams are excellent additions, as are motorised garage doors and modern, retractable security gates.

Throughout the house, look for things that can be modernised or updated. Cupboard space is essential, so consider adding more cupboards in the bedrooms and kitchen. Replace old carpets, lay tiles in heavy-traffic areas, place mirrors strategically to give the impression of more space, and don’t underestimate the impact of a coat of paint.

Finally, think about your outside areas. Plant indigenous flowers and shrubs that don’t need

MAKING YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT IS ALSO A GREAT WAY TO INCREASE ITS LONG-TERM VALUE

2015/10/20 1:00 PM

PROPERTY INVESTOR

a lot of water or maintenance, which will save on both the bills and the effort needed to keep the garden looking green and trim.

And putting in a couple of trees now could make a huge difference to the appeal of the property in 10 years’ time.

TIP BONDORS CAN ORIGINAT OF THE DO SOME RK FOR HOMEWOIT’S REALLY YOU BUT O YOUR BEST TO DWORK OWN LEG

PART 16

KNOW YOUR LOAN How to get the best rate on your homeloan

M

any people dream of owning their own home, but very few ever get to buy one for cash. For most South Africans, buying a house means taking out a homeloan.

This isn’t just a matter of going to your bank and hoping for the best, however. There are a number of factors that go into getting a bond, and if you understand them, you’ll have a better chance of securing a good interest rate.

For a start, banks need to know how risky it is to lend money to you – in other words, how likely it is that you will have problems paying them back. They use a number of criteria for this, but the three most important are your past credit behaviour, the size of the loan compared to the value of the property you’re buying, and how you’re employed. (Anyone who’s self-employed will, unfortunately, always find things more difficult.)

Banks will look at how you’ve dealt with all forms of debt in the past, from store cards to car finance. Debts up to the last five years can be taken into account. It makes sense, therefore, to always manage your credit affairs prudently: make the required payments on time and don’t use more than 90 per cent of your credit limit.

If you’ve had difficulties with debt, get your affairs in order. It’s also best to wait two or three years after you’ve put any issues behind you before applying for a bond.

Be aware that different lenders have different views on credit risk, so don’t just get one quote.

Visit different banks and homeloan companies to find who will offer you the best deal.

Next issue

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The next most important thing is your deposit, which most people have to save up for. Generally, the more you can put down up-front, the less risky the loan is to the bank. Always ask what size deposit will secure you the best rate.

How long you want the loan to run for is also an important consideration. Homeloans financed over 20 years will usually be given at lower interest rates than those over 25 or 30 years.

Bond originators can do some of this homework for you, but some lenders don’t deal with them and often your bank will insist that you approach them yourself. So it’s really best to do your own legwork.

Finally, once you’ve secured a loan, don’t consider that the end of it. Review your bond every three to five years, because you may be able to get a better rate as conditions change. This is because the loan-to-value is one of the most critical parts of calculating the rate you pay. If the value of your property increases and you manage to pay down some of the capital on your loan, then the loanto-value ratio will be more in your favour and you could well find someone willing to offer you a better deal.

BE AWARE THAT DIFFERENT LENDERS HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS ON CREDIT RISK, SO DON’T JUST GET ONE QUOTE

Green features to add to your home; what to think about when moving house

2015/10/20 1:00 PM

MORNINGSIDE – R11.5 MILLION

8

UPPER CONSTANTIA – R10.2 MILLION

8

93260

One address – Infinite pleasures Glistening city lights, colourful sunsets, uninterrupted views, and urban delights. – This glorious home puts the world at your fingertips.

Indeed, location is everything. Situated in a 24 hour guarded and gated enclave, this totally secure home offers superior design, exceptional finishes and a lifestyle of ultimate luxury. The wonderful living rooms with sheets of glass and amazing views of the spectacular garden. From the wonderful kitchen with breakfast room, to the sophisticated bedrooms with beautiful bathrooms, this incomparable residence is proof that a new era in pampered living has arrived. Plus, it’s a stone’s throw away from Redhill School.

Norma Robinson 082 554 7260 | 011 656 0888

95532

An impressive classical double story, immaculate, North-facing.

From the elegant gates, you sweep past rolling lawns to a gracious entrance. Sunny reception rooms, all open plan, flow out onto a lovely wrap-around patio, overlooking the pool and lush private garden. An eclectic mix of modern Brazilian Teak finishes turns this large kitchen into an inviting spacious ‘heart-of-the-home’. Beautiful wooden bespoke windows are an exceptional design feature of this home. Upstairs boats 4 luxurious bedrooms, with mountain views, 2 of which are en-suite to glamourous bathrooms. Extra features include a borehole serving a computerised irrigation system, and extensive layers of security.

Charne Shipper 083 274 6336 | Ingrid Hoaten 082 490 6246

8

OAKLANDS – R10.5 MILLION

95523

Irresistibly stylish.

A grand family home providing the perfect lifestyle solution. This double storey home offers imposing entrance hall; formal lounge; massive entertainer’s dining room; family/TV room. All receptions open onto a large wrap around patio, with built in braai, to overlook the pool and tennis court. Modern kitchen (Kosher) with granite surfaces, pantry & separate scullery. Pyjama lounge & 4 bedrooms upstairs – mes with dressing room and intimate sitting area. All bedrooms open onto balconies. Heated pool; 2 staff rooms; 3 garages accessing house; storeroom; irrigation; top security includes CCTV & street guard. Adjoining stand with tennis court, jungle gym & grassed play area. Close proximity to places of worship, top schools, M1 and nearby business hubs.

Chrissie Hammer 082 568 0440 | 011 880 3550

PARKTOWN NORTH – R6.9 MILLION

8

Ref 95705

The ultimate lifestyle!

Enjoy the luxury of space in this appealing north facing family home in the heart of Parktown North! Designed for pleasure, the generous free flowing receptions & covered patio provide superb entertainment facilities. Stylish kitchen with separate scullery/ laundry opens to private courtyard –perfect al fresco dining; spacious dining room and lounge; superb informal living room with feature fireplace; guest cloakroom; 3 double bedrooms (mes); 2 bathrooms; stunning private guest suite; in addition, a generous work from home/staff accommodation with private entrance; garaging for 2 cars; secure guest parking; excellent security; sun-splashed pool in secluded garden.

Glynis van Zuydam 082 930 0081 | 011 880 3550

DREAM HOME

COMO

This lakefront villa on three levels covers 930m2 and is located in the heart of a green park of about 3 450m2 alongside Lake Como.

It has a small independent villa for guests on two levels at the extreme north side of the park (also with independent access). The property includes a small private harbour with docking for three boats, a porter’s lodge, housekeeper’s annexe and garage. It is on the market with Sotheby’s International Realty (sothebysrealty.com, reference REYW6V), price on request.

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NOVEMBER 2015

Text and photograph Supplied

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2015/10/20 12:33 PM

The Infiniti Q50