Neighbourhood CT - 15 December 2019

Neighbourhood 15 DECEMBER 2019

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Cheers to property!

Going into the new year, we give you the low-down on all the latest in the South African property market – and it is exciting for sure, page 6 3

HIP HERITAGE

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OH SO LAST YEAR

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PROPERTY FOCUS: TRENDING IN REAL ESTATE

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

15 DECEMBER 2019

Editor’s exclusive CARLA REDELINGHUYS

In your hood:

Neighbourhood

Countrywide

Abingdon Wine Estate | 060 349 7732 | abingdonestate.co.za Cape Grace Hotel | 021 410 7100 | capegrace.com Tokara Restaurant | 021 885 2550 | tokararestaurant.co.za

Straight from the horse’s mouth Wondering what to uncork for your festive feasting?

We asked three local sommeliers for their celebratory pour.

WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Laurie Cooper

Winemaker and sommelier at Abingdon Wine Estate, KwaZuluNatal. Laurie won the Moët & Chandon Best Young Sommelier 2019 competition in Cape Town this year.

Q: What will you be pouring at your festive table this December?

A: Abingdon 2011 Syrah. Christmas is always a time for us to dig into our library wine collection and enjoy some of the older Abingdon vintages. The 2011 is my favourite vintage and with only three bottles left, it only comes out once a year!

The art of light W

hat a spoil to walk around safely in near darkness on the Spier Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch, crickets and frogs singing in the background, mountains in the distance, the beautiful surroundings merging with the night skies, and, interspersed with the pristine gardens, an array of light art surprises…

Until 19 January, Spier Light Art celebrates more than 20 light and sound installations conceptualised and created by some of South Africa’s leading artists and designers, scattered all over the estate within walking distance from each other – all for free.

There’s the human-sized needle and thread of well-known landscape artist Strijdom van der Merwe, where Mother Earth begs us to repair her wounds; the captivating harp with laser beams, smoke and sound of Meghan Judge, Marc Nicolson and Brendon Bussy, inviting us to become immersed in a sensory exploration; the captivating interactive wave machine of Roelf Daling; and the mind-boggling split mirror wrapped around a corner of Caitlin Warther and Wendy Dixon, playing tricks with your eyes and perception of self as the colours deepen, lighten and change.

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Pause at three serene paper-mâché boulders of Auckland Studio floating in a fish dam; be mesmerised by the loving larger-than-life light sculptures of Goldendean, creating a glowing and breathing hugging space; be astonished

by David Brits’s gigantic illuminated coil, draped in an 300-year-old oak tree; or go back into the negative space created by Themba Stewart and Qondiswa James – a pitch-dark dome where the absence of light kicks off an inner journey…

Why not order a picnic basket and fill up on the lovely lawns of Die Werf, before indulging in this and many more light art installations? Arrive at dusk to catch the beautiful sunset and the switching on of the lights. Then walk around in your own time, map in hand, and interact with every art piece, experiencing the profoundness of light – or the lack thereof – in all its colours, forms and magic.

Be sure to book a dinner or a sumptuous picnic in advance – you wouldn’t want to miss it.

Q: What will you be pairing it with?

A: Christmas and New Year we always have a snoek on the braai... whether we keep the snoek classically Cape with apricot jam, butter and lemon, or spice it up with coconut milk, ginger, lime and chilli, this wine has the depth and amazing mid-palate that can hold some bolder flavours.

The crisp acidity and mineral finish complements the fish well.

Q: And what’s on the menu?

A: Christmas lunch, as traditional as it gets! Weber turkey wrapped in bacon with cranberry sauce, gammon, chipolata sausages, honeyglazed carrots, Brussels sprouts, onion pudding, roast potatoes and homemade gravy. With the delicately flavoured meats and smoky savoury notes that balance the sweetness of the carrots, nothing is too rich to overpower the wine. The syrah adds beautiful richness and spice and remains the hero of the meal.

Marlvin Gwese

Head sommelier, Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront Q: What’s in the decanter this December?

A: Avondale Qvevri 2018, a Rhônestyle blend driven by grenache, syrah and mourvèdre. A red wine lighter in style, yet delivering the finesse, elegance and sense of place, here driven by bright red fruit on a foundation of syrah spiciness.

LAURIE COOPER

Q: What will you serve it with, and why is this a great pairing?

A: Slow-cooked pork belly, roasted apple, saffron and fennel salad with truffle jus. The fat on the pork belly works well with the wine because of the vibrant acidity in the wine.

Jaap-Henk Koelewijn Sommelier at the acclaimed Tokara Restaurant

Q: What’s being poured at your festive table?

A: The Migliarina “Grey Matters” Pinot Gris 2017. I’m a sucker for new and interesting wines, but I also want a wine I can drink. This pinot gris is not like the lighter crispier styles of pinot grigio but more likened to a chenin blanc. Sourced from a vineyard in Stellenbosch this was a once-off wine made by Carsten Migliarina.

MARLVIN GWESE

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15 DECEMBER 2019

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Stellenbosch

Hamm & Uys | 066 495 0270 | blaauwklippen.com/hamm-uys-eatery

W

ith its shady trees, old farm courtyard, lawns and historic interior, Hamm & Uys, the new eatery at Blaauwklippen wine estate outside Stellenbosch, is informal, welcoming and unobtrusively stylish.

It’s named for owners Johnny Hamman and Marius Uys, who after cooking against each other in the finals of the Kokkedoor reality show on KykNet, went on to start a successful catering business, Slippery Spoon. Five years on, this is the first time they’ve been tempted into the restaurant world.

“Blaauwklippen just felt right – it’s beautiful but not pretentious,” says Johnny. “We designed the food to fit in with the heritage of Blaauwklippen.

It’s not fancy food, it’s more homecooking, things that we grew up with.”

With chef Reinette Botha (ex Kloof Street House and El Burro) heading up the kitchen, inspiration comes from Afrikaans food heritage and Johnny and Marius’ childhood food memories that are also part of South African collective nostalgia, such as Milky Lane waffles and stopping for Wimpy breakfasts on long road trips. This they interpret with contemporary creativity and warmth.

“Everything’s homemade, really good quality ingredients and yet affordable.

And we’re having fun, there’s a bit of playfulness in the menu,” says Johnny.

Met Uys, ja Nostalgic comfort food and South African heritage in a beautiful farm setting WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

IMAGES: CHRISTINE LE ROUX

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The menu is in both English and Afrikaans and for overseas visitors there’s a glossary to explain mosbolletjies and the like. If you’re lus for a braaibroodjie, koeksisters, or lekker slap tjips, you’ll find all that and more. It’s generous food often demanding to be eaten with your hands, like the Wilson Toffee chicken wings – braaied wings basted with Wilson cola toffees melted in soy sauce, served with fire-roasted mielies.

We shared a mussel pot with roosterkoek, a luscious chateaubriand burger in a rusk-dough bun stacked with cheese, homemade pickles and aioli, and a farm salad piled temptingly with roast vegetables and leaves.

Ouma’s slow roast leg of lamb pops up on pizzas or in tacos on the weekday menu, and on Sundays the harvest table becomes a buffet centrepiece groaning with heritage classics. Locals have already discovered these long, lazy lunches accompanied by chilled live music and they book out fast.

The dessert table is designed for the kid in all of us – plaatkoek with 100s and 1,000s, carrot cake, mini milk tarts, peppermint crisp tarts, fudge squares and rice krispie treats. We finished at the gelato counter, torn between chocolate mousse, strawberries and cream, peppermint crisp, and lemon curd, all equally delicious, rich and creamy.

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PROPERTY NEWS

15 DECEMBER 2019

What’s hot and what’s not Moving into the next decade, there are trends which are being binned and a host which are fresh, emerging or evolving

Neighbourhood

D

ecor and lifestyle trends are usually sparked by lifestyle, or local or global moods or attitudes. Given the economic and political noise emanating from almost everywhere, no surprise that there are innumerable trends.

Out

Krystal-Lee Terblanche, Olalala Interiors, gives the run-down on elements heading for the door. “We’re seeing far less beaten metallics, mirrored furniture, industrial accents, and Boho.”

WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER

She says white spaces, aka the very clean Scandi look, are set to be traded in for bold warm colours and confident spaces – a mix of modern and traditional. Likewise minimalism. “It has its place for city millennials, but it’s not practical with family, pets, kids and so on. And PS, the days of the Edison bulb are over.”

IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

In

Lots. Terblanche points out a handful of her favourites. “There’s a new wave of abstract energy, with bold geometrics, hand-drawn sketches, and playful blocks of colour – this look is all about expressing personality in our homes, evoking emotion and creating a mood.

“There’s also a leaning towards ‘honest comforts’, a combination of comforting textures, calming colours and decorative details. The creation of a personal sanctuary, a low-maintenance look with weathered woods, faded tones and time-worn finishes.”

She says “structured stability” as a trend is evolving from the 2019 Nordic Retreat trend, the purpose of which was to create a safe inviting space in which to rest and regenerate. “This trend will see homeowners swopping bold and bright for soft and neutral – the sustainably conscious will latch on here.”

She sees continued growth of the soft tropics, perhaps more diluted with different colour pallets. Palm prints still rule, as is bringing nature into our homes.

We’re responding to the practical benefits of bringing the outdoors in, drawn to the improved air quality, and feelings of relaxation and positivity.

“An indoor tree can transform a room be it a space filler, pop of colour, or the introduction of a structural element. Vertical gardens, too, will be around for the next few seasons.”

There’s a nomadic trend lurking too, with a thread of unapologetic authenticity that’s warm and welcoming.

“All our most-loved collectables and possessions perfectly curated into our living spaces. Think handdyed prints, pottery and terracotta, rich tones and rugged textures.”

And last season’s retro revival is evolving. Terblanche describes it as deco meets mid-century, with a certain flamboyancy, extravagant wallpapers, plush textiles, accent furniture with character, glossy marble and brass. Eclectic glamour.

There’s also a leaning towards “refined glamour”, where the glam has less sheen and is more sophisticated.

“Luxury materials are used to create

statement decorative details… velvet, marble, smoked glass, natural pearl, rounded furniture”.

Retro fusion, too, is an emerging trend – contemporary design pieces with clean lines. “This involves being creative with walls, giving them a retro vibe with paint techniques – painting ceilings or a geometric pattern such as half a triangle on one wall to create impact.”

For many, sustainability is a strong driver, timber from FSC (Forest Management Certification), knowing from where your flooring is sourced, is it renewable, reclaimed, natural, recyclable, are they accredited suppliers? Are those hides from a reputable, sustainable source? Using natural elements as a framework around which to develop spaces. “Sustainability sparks a fuller interest in, and appreciation of, nature, which motivates people to protect and preserve it.”

Colours, fabrics and wallpaper

Terblanche pinpoints grey, mustard, jewel tones, natural pearl, blush pinks, black and petrol blue as colours to watch. Velvet fabrics will reign supreme, with wallpapers being either bold (tropical leaves still up there) or iridescent. She says fibre-guard fabrics have come to the fore. “Think fabrics with high performance, excellent durability, optimum washability, easy to clean – fresh-looking fabric with stain-free technology. Consumers want low maintenance, child and pet friendly, and at the right price.”

And of course, local is still a massive driver. Source it, buy it, support it.

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PROPERTY NEWS

15 DECEMBER 2019

Neighbourhood

Property focus

Looking to the future

Industry experts pin down the residential trends and price points likely to stick in the new year PARK CENTRAL, ROSEBANK

WORDS: KIM MAXWELL

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ow do property experts, bond originators and bankers expect the property market to play out during 2020, and which housing trends are likely to persist?

The residential market has endured a number of challenges during 2019, but a leaner economy and flattening out of the market has also been a leveller for bargain-hunters, longterm investors and those with entrepreneurial nerve for risk.

IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK

“Buyers are more educated than ever and are really spoiled for choice, so it’s critical for sellers to price their properties correctly, especially in the upper income and luxury segments,” says Marcel du Toit, CEO at bond originator Bondspark.

Home type and precinct trends WATERFALL RIDGE, MIDRAND

Which are the home type trends with staying power? Pam Golding Property group chief executive Andrew Golding is backing these to succeed in 2020: sectional title accommodation in mixed-use developments in prime locations including urban precincts, that facilitate a secure, lock-up-andgo lifestyle. “For example, Menlyn Maine in Pretoria. Cape Town CBD has also been a key urban precinct for some time,” he says. In lifestyle estates, there will be a focus on creating a greater mix of price bands.

Golding also singles out retirement developments, particularly those in secure, lifestyle estates; and affordable homes in towns traditionally considered as retirement or holiday destinations.

BOSMANS CLUB, STELLENBOSCH

“There are areas such as Somerset West and Simonstown, where new developments ensure that more medical or education amenities are available in what are often former retirement or holiday destinations,” says Golding. In Joburg, Rosebank “is experiencing something of a revival” and Pretoria is flourishing with projects such as the new R6bn mixeduse precinct Castle Gate development.

House pricing patterns But how’s the residential market looking in broader terms? Buysile Maseko, growth head of Gold subsegment at FNB Home Finance, says Deeds Office home transaction data for Q2 2019 shows that growth in house prices either declined or slowed across all price segments.

The exception was the lowincome band where an average purchase price is R395,900, and where house sale prices grew by a 17,6% average year on year.

Luxury value bands – R2,3m average purchase price – declined by a 0,23% average year on year. “We anticipate this residential price point trend will continue into early 2020, with higher participation in the lower end of the market,” says Maseko.

BetterBond’s latest statistics show that 44% of bonds granted in the past year to end September, fell into the R500,000 to R1m category.

Another 19% of bonds granted were in the R1m to R1,5m bracket.

First-time buyers BetterBond found that homes costing less than R1m tend to be dominated by first-time buyers, where 38% of all bonds were granted in this 12-month period, paying an average R982,000 purchase price.

BetterBond CEO Carl Coetzee says first-time buyers now account for more than 50% of its applications. “They’re receiving an increasing percentage of home loan grants – up 17,5% in the past year – so we expect sustained demand in this category, especially now that banks have re-introduced products that enable buyers to borrow up to 105% of the home price, to cover transfer and transaction costs.”

Pam Golding Properties Pretoria regional development sales manager Ilma Brink says affordable properties

15 DECEMBER 2019

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

SIMON’S TOWN

in the R1,3m to R1,6m price range sell well and are always in demand.

Yet location remains key in new developments such as The Regency, the first luxury apartments in Pretoria East, close to Menlyn Maine shopping.

In Joburg, Pam Golding Properties area specialist Kayte Denham says Rosebank is set to almost double the number of sectional title properties when its new developments come to market.

Park Central offers lock-up-and-go Rosebank apartments in a convenient location close to business hubs.

One-bedroom units in this luxury development with a rooftop pool, gym and amenities, start at R1,99m.

Rosebank was one of four urban locations highlighted for its livework-play lifestyle and numerous

sectional title developments, in Pam Golding Properties’ recent year-onyear comparison (until August this year), using Lightstone statistics.

Maseko. “It’s taking about two to three times longer to sell a property in the upper end of the market as opposed to the lower end.”

Senior research analyst Sandra Gordon says these findings also singled out popular Umhlanga Rocks and Umhlanga New Town Centre in KwaZulu-Natal for achieving the strongest sales in recent years. In Umhlanga Rocks, the bulk of sales were above R3m.

Yet the luxury market seems to be holding. “The latest BetterBond statistics show that 7,5% of all bonds granted in the past 12 months (to end September) fell into the R2m to R3m price category, compared to 8% in the previous 12 months,” says Coetzee.

Luxury still holding “We’re finding that properties within the higher residential price points are staying on the market longer than those in the lower end,” says

“And while only 4% of bonds fell into the R3m+ price category, this was unchanged from the previous 12 months – thus no major shift at the top end of the market for the past two years.”

Pam Golding Helderberg agent Edelweiss Hankey says demand for luxury properties in Somerset West remains robust, despite a slowdown

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OYSTER ROCK, UMHLANGA

in many areas at the top end. Property data showed that more than a quarter of the 1,553 homes sold in Somerset West were estate homes, according to Gordon. Sold between August last year and July this year and offering a secure lifestyle (often views too), these estates were near popular schools.

“Demand for property is seen across all market segments, with investor interest from a broad demographic,” says Gordon. The average price of 130 repeat sales in Somerset West over the past 12 months was R5,5m.

“We see sellers are opting to hold on to their properties amid unfavourable selling conditions and increased bargain hunting in the higher priced segments,” says Maseko. “This has somewhat narrowed the supplydemand gap in those segments, and we expect that to continue into 2020.”

2020 HOME TRENDS IN A NUTSHELL • Mixed-use sectional title in prime locations • Lifestyle estates with mixed price bands • Student accommodation • Retirement developments in secure estates • Affordable homes in traditional retirement or holiday towns • Lock-up-and-go units in urban precincts • Hotel-like services in luxury urban apartments • Majority of sales in first-time buyer pricepoints • Luxury still selling, but taking longer • Financial prudence • Renegotiating interest rates

Neighbourhood

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Mon: 2 for 1 Burgers Tues: Quiz Night / Tequila Tuesday Wed: Open Mic Night Fri: Live Music Sat: Big Band Night

A R C HITEC TU R E

Best Leisure Architecture Africa The Blyde Riverwalk Estate

by Balwin Properties

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SUPPORTED BY

AIREA • SIDS • TIDA • SLIID Presented by the International Property Awards www.propertyawards.net

Steve Brookes – CEO Balwin Properties

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Record sales in excess of 400 apartments sold in November.