Neighbourhood CT - 29 September 2019

Neighbourhood 29 SEPTEMBER 2019

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

It’s a smart plan Buying off plan has several advantages, like saving on transfer fees, choosing your own finishes, and no building stress, page 6

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TAPAS FOR TWO

yourneighbourhood.co.za

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AS EASY AS MARRAS

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PROPERTY FOCUS: PURCHASING OFF PLAN

Connecting homeowners with great communities

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

29 SEPTEMBER 2019

Editor’s exclusive CARLA REDELINGHUYS

In your hood:

Neighbourhood

Sea Point

Coco Safar | 021 433 1336 | cocosafar.com

A slice of Italian life

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n 5 and 6 October, Capetonians can experience all things Italian at the Festa Italiana at the Italian Club of Cape Town. This super-popular venue in Milnerton will transform itself into the streets of tourist attractions such as Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice and Palermo, and festivities will include Italian food, wine, fashion, music, arts and crafts, and, of course, cars.

“Our first-ever Festa Italiana will focus on all things Italians are famous for.

‘Made in Italy’ is simply in a class of its own and a full programme of exciting festivities is planned for the whole weekend, so there’s sure to be something for every member of the family,” organiser Leonardo Sforza says.

Fellow organiser Kiki Ciman-Frauenknecht adds that visitors will love the fact that they’ll be able to interact with the various exhibitors. “Many of our exhibitors are importers or local producers to bring you only the best Italy has to offer. They’re all passionate about and committed to their brands, and love to share it with others.”

Tickets are available from Webtickets or at the door (R80 for adults, R55 for pensioners and scholars aged 12 to 18). Free entry for kids under 12.

Safar so good Tapas with a twist of sophistication in Sea Point

win

WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Ten lucky readers stand a chance of winning a set of double tickets each. Simply send an email with “Northern News” in the subject line to info@purplepine.co.za to enter.

SEE FOR YOURSELF For further information, email the organisers at festa@icct.co.za.

T

apas is all about sharing – a meal, a conversation, leisurely unhurried sociable time. Growing up, that vibe was part of everyday life for Spanish chef Carmen Rueda, who oversees the kitchens at Coco Safar.

Although Coco Safar isn’t a chef-led brand, owner Wilhelm Liebenberg tells us, they searched far and wide to find the right chef to bring their vision to life. They found exactly that in Carmen, whose experience includes training with French master pastry chef Olivier Bajard, heading up the pastry section in Heston Blumenthal’s experimental kitchen at Fat Duck, working with Ferran Adria at El Bulli, and with Janice Wong in Singapore. Not surprisingly Coco Safar is now renowned for superb patisserie, coffee, and next level cafe fare.

The recently introduced evening tapas experience is international epicurean in inspiration rather than traditionally Spanish, and offers a choice of eight plates or four, for two people to share, with the option of swapping in alternatives from the main menu. The idea, Wilhelm says, is to make worldclass food accessible to everyone, so you can walk off Sea Point Main Road into the Belle Epoque style cafe and feel transported to Paris or New York.

Our first four dishes arrived together and it was hard deciding on a favourite

PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING

– beef brisket open ravioli were intense mouthfuls of rich, tender meat with a touch of mushroom powder and a dab of bright berry gel. The grilled aubergine was beautiful – cooked first sous vide it’s melting soft inside with a miso honey glaze, served with sweet potato mash and shimeji mushrooms.

A potato millefeuille is a reimagining of a pastry classic in vegetable form, crisp and intensely savoury. Light and crispy calamari are one of the swapins available if you’re in the mood for something simple and familiar.

A pretty palate cleanser sorbet gave us a breathing space before the next raft of dishes – a hearty but melt-in-themouth mutton casserole, reminder that tapas doesn’t have to look fancy to taste amazing, mushroom arancini, a lovely sea bass with herby cream cheese and fish broth, and poached leek on grilled pineapple with toasted mixed seeds.

After eight dishes we were happily replete, and the board of three enticing petits fours was perfect to toy with – miniature macaron, a mini bombe of intriguing buchu ice cream, and a melted dark chocolate-filled churro.

Good to note that Coco Safar’s food menu is halaal and they have a creative menu of non-alcoholic cocktails.

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ADVERTISING SALES:

Group Editor: Carla Redelinghuys carla@yourneighbourhood.co.za Senior Sub-Editor: Marana Brand Designers: Anja Bramley & Samantha Durand Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za

Call us for advertising opportunities on 087 828 0423 Production (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen capetown@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Chantelle Balsdon chantelle@augmentcreative.com

29 SEPTEMBER 2019

Neighbourhood

In your hood:

Swartland

In your hood:

Marras Wines | 082 491 1948 | marraswines.co.za

NEWS & LIFESTYLE

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V&A Waterfront

Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers and Ribs | 087 357 3465 | gibsonsburgers.co.za

It’s not complicated Winemaker Martin Lamprecht offers superb value in his MARRAS range of terroir-driven wines WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES IMAGES: SUPPLIED

“I

love the honesty of the Swartland,” says Martin “Marras” Lamprecht down a crackly phone line from the Riebeek valley. “But it’s an extreme region, with vineyards growing in extreme conditions.”

Martin obviously thrives on those conditions. Formerly winemaker at Doran Vineyards in the nearby Paardeberg, he went solo in 2017 and today his MARRAS range is focussed on two of the most exciting wine regions in the Cape, sourcing grapes from the sunbaked vineyards of the Swartland and the cooler high-altitude mountain slopes of the Piekenierskloof outside Citrusdal.

The vineyards here “have a great view of the Atlantic Ocean!” laughs Martin.

“Even though daytime temperatures are quite high, the evenings and mornings are cool thanks to the altitude.”

That brings plenty of minerality and freshness to his Piekenierskloof Chenin Blanc, says Martin. “It’s more like a sauvignon blanc in style, whereas the Swartland Chenin has a golden colour, more richness, more yellow stone fruit.”

For Martin, the MARRAS wines are all about enticing wine lovers to discover single-varietal wines, at a more affordable price. While there’s no shortage of chenin blanc in the market, his MARRAS Pinotage and Cinsault offer unique takes on popular cultivars.

The MARRAS Piekenierskloof Grenache offers particularly good value for this cultivar growing in popularity and should be a staple addition to your wine rack this summer. Picked early, and whole-bunch cold-fermented – “as you would with white wine,” says Martin – it’s a wine bright, lively and low (12%) in alcohol.

If you prefer your reds more full-bodied, his red blend from Swartland vines is for you, marrying full-bodied Swartland Shiraz with the freshness of cinsault.

“There’s a lovely bright berry character that comes through in both wines,” he says. “They’re a step up from a rosé and a step down from a dry red. Chill them slightly and enjoy them as you would white wine, with grilled tuna and salads.”

For Martin, it’s about crafting wines to be well made and well priced. “Life is complicated enough as it is, I don’t want to overcomplicate my wines. I want to create wines that don’t hold back on quality and complexity, but they’re also enjoyable, juicy, lively and fresh.”

With his MARRAS range, he’s certainly done just that.

MARRAS AND MORE! Taste the wines of the Swartland at the Swartland Producers Street Party Saturday, 2 November, 10am to 5pm Short Street, Riebeek Kasteel.

Tickets (R450pp) at quicket.co.za

Burger heaven

A Gibson’s burger may just be worthy of being your last meal on this earth WORDS: CARLA REDELINGHUYS

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

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f I ever had to choose a last meal, I’d probably enter the afterlife hungry because I just wouldn’t be able to decide between my mom’s spaghetti bolognaise and a big, juicy burger and fries. If I was given a Gibson’s burger, however, the choice might be much easier to make.

So, for my birthday I decided to take the mater to the V&A for a beef burger fix (her being as partial to one as I am).

With over 50 delectable variations on offer, it was quite a struggle to choose.

But, after changing my mind about five times, I opted for The Mex-Tex (cheddar, jalapeños, guacamole, tomato salsa, and sour cream topped with nacho chips) and my mom The Governer, a classic cheese burger.

The chefs recommend you go for medium-rare and I agree. Both burgers were succulent, flavoursome and well put together. The condiments and sides complemented the meat perfectly.

All burgers are available in small (150g) and regular (200g) and come with potato fries, sweet potato fries or half and half. There’s also a wide selection of chicken, pork and vegetarian burgers, as well as salad and banting burgers. Three vegan options (served with homemade vegan buns) have recently been added to the menu: cauliflower and hemp burger, smokey black bean burger, and falafel burger.

We enjoyed our meal with a bottle of the house pinot noir – avaible only at Gibson’s and its sister restaurants Belthazar’s and Balducci’s – but there are also more than 200 shakes available, one more sinful than the next.

And, as we discovered after we placed our order, Mondays are buy-two-getone-free. Score! (My dad was more than happy for his takeaway later that day.)

Retire

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A purchase of one of these outstanding villas secures your spot in the protected reserve.

• Prime location near Tamarina Golf Course • Modern interiors • Manicured garden with swimming pool • Close to the beach and leisure parks • Sought-after river frontage and sea views • Ecofriendly living • World-class amenities on site • 3 bedroom villa available from EUR 680,000

To claim your piece of Mauritius, please contact: Derrick Mace +230 5 423 5072 • projects@pamgolding.mu

pamgolding.co.za/akashavillas

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PROPERTY NEWS

29 SEPTEMBER 2019

Neighbourhood

Property focus

Going off plan Modern urban and gated developments are luring buyers who benefit from convenience, customisation and cost savings by buying off plan WORDS: MIRIAM MANNAK & KIT HEATHCOCK

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

THE POLOFIELDS LIFESTYLE ESTATE, WATERFALL

ELLIPSE WATERFALL, WATERFALL CITY

With an established developer, the offplan process is less stressful than building your own home and is almost always quicker JESSICA HOFMEYR, MARKETING EXECUTIVE, CENTURY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS

SKYWOOD, BRYANSTON

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any property buyers prefer to purchase a new home over a second-hand property.

A key drawcard is that this allows them to choose their finishes and sometimes even the entire layout and stand. Buying townhouses, homes, apartments and retirement units off plan is becoming increasingly popular.

This type of property has several financial and practical advantages.

“In our experience, getting ahead of the curve by buying off plan with a reputable developer, has proven to be greatly beneficial for the investor.

Not only does it give you the financial benefit of locking in a price and not being subject to transfer duty, but you’re also able to select – from the available range – the finishes you prefer. From a developers’ point of view, it’s these personal touches we can provide to early buyers, which add additional value,” says John Chapman, director, Rabie.

The older convention of a plot-and-plan sale means that a buyer purchases a plot, draws up plans and building quotes and applies for finance. Western Cape agency Harcourts Platinum says once finance is approved, the buyer takes

transfer of the plot and enters into a building contract with a builder. As the building progresses, the builder is paid out in stages or draws funds, either from the buyer or the bank, until the property is completed. Harcourts says the benefits of such a purchase are that buyers can build the house to a budget, with their desired finishes.

Bond The negative is that the buyer has to carry the cost of servicing a bond while the property is under construction. In addition, manage the whole process – the builder, payments, resolve unexpected issues, and carry the risk of delivery.

With off-plan purchases, financial benefits include not having to pay transfer fees. Off-plan costs are also fixed, unlike when building your own house.

“Building with your own contractors can cause escalating costs,” says Jessica Hofmeyr, sales, rentals, marketing and operations executive, Century Property Developments. “With an established developer, the off-plan process is less

29 SEPTEMBER 2019

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

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FIVE TIPS FOR BUYING OFF PLAN • Plots on low-lying land may flood during storms and plots on steep slopes result in additional excavation, piling and retention costs.

• Ensure surrounding plots are also zoned for residential. You don’t want to live next to the clubhouse.

• Avoid corner plots that back up on noisy main roadways.

• Ensure the development has architectural height restrictions to prevent your view from being blocked by future homes.

• Irregular shapes make it difficult to site a home correctly and achieve maximum use of garden space.

Source: RealNet estate agency group MD Gerhard Kotzé

ON CLOSER INSPECTION • Ensure that the developer has a track record and is NHBRCapproved.

• Ensure that all deposits are held by the conveyancing attorneys in their trust account and not paid to the developer.

• Read the fine-print, especially the timelines and occupation dates.

Most developments require a certain amount of pre-sales before the development finance kicks in.

Source: Rui Magalhaes, First Wave Holdings

THE ASTER, ORANJEZICHT

stressful than building your own home and is almost always quicker.”

Dealing with reputable developer members of the National Home Builders Registration Council may also trim costs. “This ensures a guarantee of three months regarding general defects, one year for roof problems, and five years for structural guarantees,” says Westbrook Property Developments MD Clifford Oosthuizen.

Apartments Off-plan apartments are popular with more South Africans chasing a lock-upand-go lifestyle in luxury developments such as Tree Tops Houghton in Joburg.

Featuring a luxury penthouse, lap pool, gym, garden and entertainment area, the complex comprises one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments starting at R1,65m. Buyers can choose between a classic or platinum package for appliances, flooring, wall specifications, and other finishes.

Listed developer Attacq has partnered with development company Tricolt to launch the first high-rise luxury apartments in Waterfall City – Ellipse Waterfall. Kent Gush Properties is selling this off plan.

Its luxury one-bedroom and twobedroom apartments start from R1,625m for a one-bedroom unit and several duplex penthouses, which feature private rooftop gardens and heated swimming pools. Each apartment comes with modern finishes, ecofriendly features, high ceilings and high windows with Joburg skyline views.

Ellipse Waterfall amenities include concierge services, 24-hour security, a business centre, a children’s game room, a library, restaurants, a gym, and a spa.

Units at Bedfordview Frontier residential estate are now selling.

Lifestyle, security, location, and space sum up their offering, says Rui Magalhaes, First Wave Holdings.

Compact living Cape Town, too, offers ample off-plan options. “We have off-plan apartments available at TENONQ in Sea Point and FORTY ON L in Bo-Kaap. These offer compact apartment living and shared amenities such as entertainment decks, gyms and pools. We have also recently launched an independent living building in the heart of Sea Point, EIGHTONN,

that also focusses on communal living within a bustling community,” says BLOK MD Jacques van Embden.

The Aster in Oranjezicht at the foot of Table Mountain, has 21 off-plan units. The development by Horizon Capital Residential is smaller and more intimate than most. “It offers excellent security, a roof terrace, braai facilities and swimming pool,” says MD David Sedgwick.

Apartments sell from R2,495m with completion due end of next year.

The Winelands is also worth exploring.

Pam Golding Properties’ Bosmans Club in Stellenbosch comprises 46 apartments priced from R1,4m, and two new developments are The Niche, 51 apartments from R1,5m, and Beau Vie, 18 units directly opposite the engineering faculty from R1,995m.

Accommodation in this university town is always in demand, which results in good investment opportunities.

“In 2015 a 70m2 two-bedroom unit in our Andringa Walk development sold for R2,85m. In 2016 such a unit fetched R3,75m,” says Louise Varga, area manager, Pam Golding Properties Stellenbosch. “The highest price achieved so far for a two-bedroom apartment resale was R4,7m.”

Townhouses There’s a healthy appetite for plotand-plan townhouses in Gauteng.

Zotos Property Group reports excellent sales for developments such as Westside and Solmeri in Bryanston and Monarch on Kings, which is now fully sold out. They’ve just launched a new development of three-bedroom duplex townhouses in Bryanston called Skywood.

A much sought-after townhouse development in the Western Cape is Acorn Creek Lifestyle Estate. Situated near Somerset West, this tranquil ecofriendly estate by MSP Developments was designed to harmonise with its natural surroundings. “Many people are scaling down and want the ideal lock-up-and-go scenario, knowing that if they’re away for business or a holiday, their property is safe,” says development sales manager Werner Scheffer.

Freehold Developed by Century Property Developments, Blue Hills Equestrian

Estate in Midrand takes the off-plan concept to a new level by allowing buyers to design their entire freehold home from scratch. “Each house has its own look and feel,” Hofmeyr says. “The average home is more than 1,000m2 and prospective buyers should calculate the build cost to be about R13,000/m2.”

Century has recently bowed to pressure from property seekers and released some of their rental stock at The Oval, The Sheds and Waterfall Crescent developments into the property market. Current tenants will get the first option to purchase the property in which they reside.

BOSMANS CLUB, STELLENBOSCH

In Port Elizabeth, the Amdec Group completed The Ridge in August, the first residential village of their Westbrook development, which includes 150 freehold homes, a medical facility, retail space, a school, business park, parklands, and cycling lanes. “Choosing to buy into an estate should be about more than just the bricks and mortar,” says Westbrook Property Developments MD Clifford Oosthuizen. The second Westbrook village, Riverdale, is now in development with off-plan sales starting soon from R1,3m.

Estates Estates such as Paardevlei Lifestyle Estate in Somerset West by Balwin and Buh-Rein in Cape Town’s northern suburbs have gained traction, particularly among off-plan buyers. MSP Developments’ Buh-Rein caters to all market segments and offers various offplan options enveloped by a sports field, family restaurant, cycling and jogging paths and an open-air gymnasium.

EIGHTONN, SEA POINT

Gauteng offers plenty off-plan estate options, including The Polofields Waterfall. Developed by Balwin, the estate’s apartments feature practical finishes, are fibre-ready, and provide a range of amenities including a lifestyle centre, yoga deck, spa, gym and outdoor cinema.

La Como Lifestyle Estate and Serengeti Estates, both near Kempton Park, and The Hills Game Reserve Estate in Pretoria East, are also worth investigating. Century Property Developments’ The Hills Game Reserve Estate comprises three- and four-bedroom homes featuring staff accommodation, double garage, and garden. “Our building packages have worked extremely well as our homes typically sell within three weeks of being on the market,” says Hofmeyr.

BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE, MIDRAND