Property
Est. 2004, Issue 264
JOHANNESBURG
MAY/JUNE 2012
Winner of 10 publishing awards
CREATIVE SPACES
AT PLAY AT WORK
decor, trends, luxury, design & real estate
INDULGE IN FOOD, DECOR & SHOPPING
LIVING IN … MELROSE NATIONAL DIGITAL EDITION FOR iPAD
io Get it from Zin
The Rule of Three: Adrienne Hersch’s recipe for success
RSA R34.95 (incl. VAT) Other countries R21.90 (excl. Tax) Urban-Hub, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
Urban-Hub HOT COMMERCIAL SPACE
33
Contents
22
D DOWNLOA AL N IO OUR NAT N IO EDIT FOR iPAD from Zinio
DECOR
LUXURY
REAL ESTATE
14
16
47
21
HOT DECOR & DESIGN
Adrienne Hersch’s
and your wardrobe …
formula for success
between design giants
Just for starters
DESK JOCKEYS Expert advice on setting up
20
We take a shine to Tinsel’s
42
Clearwater Estate, and
72
A HAPPENING HUB
Rosebank’s revitalisation
49
JOHANNESBURG: COMMERCIAL
A new commercial office
A green Pick n Pay for
space, Urban-Hub, in Cape
Roodepoort, a light
Town’s historic Bo-Kaap
industrial business park
is a hybrid of old and new
on the East Rand, and
New restaurants in city
design aesthetics
a revamp for Grayston
WHAT’S ON
28
Shopping Centre
THE DUKE OF AWE WMI converts a Midrand
What you should be
mansion to a modern
doing this month
family home
MELROSE IS THE PLACE living in Melrose
for details.
The convenience of
HOT PLATE
33
SOCIETY
39
Advertising agencies’
This Melrose home combines classic Old World features
gala dinner in Windhoek
with a modern lifestyle
We look at the coolest
44
AFRICA Palais Namaskar Marrakech luxury hotel
52
SOUTH AFRICA A rugged getaway in the Karoo
STATELY LIVING
The Safland Awards 2012
TREND WATCH
50
presents a decor feast
CREATIVE CAPITAL inspiring office interiors
Why you should be
56
JOHANNESBURG: RESIDENTIAL
Parktown comes up for sale
22
MAGPIE’S DELIGHT
48
A Randlord mansion in
11
and country
for Cape the full Town. story.See page 22
HISTORY FOR SALE
DESIGN
18
THE RULE OF THREE
jewellery box, your pets
TRENDS
12
@ Maison. office space, Turn to Bo-Kaap, page 11
Indulgences for your
galore and a marriage
gorgeous new store
ON ON THE THE COVER COVER
HOT INDULGENCE
New treasure troves, fabrics
a productive workspace
TheUrban-Hub Kitchen & Tasting commercial Room
16
54
NAMIBIA The retail boom sparks new investment in shopping centre
AXIS OF EXCELLENCE
accessories for your
The Creative Axis puts a new
office space
spin on architecture
developments and expansions
thepropertymag.co.za | 1
ED’S LETTER THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE ONLINE
Photograph Grant Difford
Kitsch or cool?
VISIT thepropertymag.co.za for the latest features. FOLLOW US on Facebook and Twitter: facebook.com/thepropertymagazine twitter.com/thepropertymag
‘I have worked for Russians with money so new, even they don’t know where it’s from …’
Nicky Haslam wears a number of colourful hats. Author, events planner, writer (you may remember his quirky words from The Telegraph and Hello Magazine). He has even tried his hand at music. But his ultimate passion lies with interior design, and this is where he makes the world of decor and design spin. Love his style or hate it … Kitsch or cool …? The jury is still out, but there is no denying that Nicky is a character and he has had an incredible influence on this industry. I met him at the St Leger and Viney Design Focus morning, and despite playing the diva and missing our midmorning meeting, I later caught up with him and watched his lecture, which had me chuckling in the aisles. Nicky has led a life that is certainly worthy of the autobiography, Redeeming Features, that he has already published. Born in the UK, he has lived in many places and followed many paths, always hanging with the jet set. Today he can boast as past clients Mick Jagger and Bob Geldof (who, he says, ‘have great taste’) and Bryan Ferry, all of whom he now calls friends. He once decorated a morning room for Rod Stewart. ‘He doesn’t have good taste; I gave it to him,’ he exclaims about the rocker. From wearing riding chaps made from bear fur on his hunting farm to creating events for the royal family, Nicky courts controversy and inspiration and does it well. Between projects and homes he has decorated, Nicky reminisces on his friendships with photographer David Bailey and artist Andy Warhol, who, he says, ‘took me to Park Avenue and made me smart’. The unique pair actually made a movie together, called Kiss (‘Watch it if you are bored enough,’ Nicky laughs.) Fashion and design have always gone hand in hand and so it’s no surprise that Nicky dabbled in this world. He reveals that some of his fondest memories are of working for US Vogue when Diana Vreeland was at the
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helm: ‘Those were the days of whisky first thing in the morning, 15 cigarettes in the office, and looking at pretty clothes pictures.’ Nicky later took on the role of art director at a magazine called On Show, where he shot icons like the Beatles and Barbra Streisand on her one and only modelling shoot. He talks casually of his famous acquaintances, including the Duchess of Windsor, better known to us as Wallis Simpson, the woman who caused King Edward VIII to abdicate. According to Nicky, she decorated Buckingham Palace in pink and silver and liked to play poker with Churchill. ‘I am better for knowing her – she wasn’t shunned like everyone thought,’ he says. When it comes to decor, Nicky believes rooms should be pretty and exude comfort: ‘Everyone should look good in their room.’ At the end of his talk he showed us a photo of his dream home: a giant yellow house with an elaborate shell on top: ‘Anything with shell is fabulous, and I worship caterpillar fringe. Don’t you?’ Some of us nodded and some of us vehemently shook our heads. His style is certainly not for everyone. However, the span of his career proves his ability to shape this world, and with Nicky declaring his love for gold gilding and walls made solely of tassels – kitsch or cool – there’s no denying this man has stayed true to his vision and is a decor powerhouse, fur chaps and all …
Nicky Manson, Editor
This month I would love to indulge in …
The gorgeous Looking Glass collection of mirrors
Vamp’s Yellow Nest of Tables. Vamp is in the
Eclipse’s new High-Gloss Chair collection. I love the
from Sobeit Studios. With quirky names, such as
business of giving old furniture a new lease of
collection’s Spider Chair – an adjustable barstool,
‘Alice’ and ‘Dian Fossey’, they come in a variety of
life. Simply inspirational. +27 (0)21 448 2755,
in black and white. Available from Eclipse stores
colours. The showroom is in Muizenberg, Cape Town,
vampfurniture.blogspot.com
nationwide. 0861 325 4773, eclipsegroup.co.za
but Sobeit delivers nationally and internationally. +27 (0)21 788 9007, sobeitstudio.com
4 | May/June 2012
Wealth & Investment
RICHARD CARDO (CFA) Investec Wealth & Investment Portfolio Manager - Sandton
Listed property provides diversification and long-term growth appeal An exposure to listed property reduces risk in the
Wealth & 1nvestment
overall investment portfolio by providing diversification benefits. The longer-term prospects for the sector are also appealing, with predictable, high income and long-term capital growth in store for those prepared to do their homework. In the absence of major bond yield shifts, we believe total returns of 12%-15% pa in the next three to
Ranked #1 by PricewaterhouseCoopers in Wealth Management Ranked #1 in the Business Day Investors Monthly Stockbroker Awards for Sophisticated Investors Our #1 rankings are testament to our select investment services for discerning clients. Backed by our seamless global investment offering, we cater for your individual investment objectives.
To find out more contact our Sandton branch on 011 286 4500 www.investec.co.za/wi
five years are achievable. If long bond yields had to weaken to around 9%, total returns from listed property would more likely be 10%-12% pa. Going forward, the listed property market has scope to rerate as vacancies decline to normalised levels, the sector’s modest current gearing level of 30% increases closer to 40% (a more appropriate level given mainly rental income streams) resulting in higher distribution growth, and the current implied property risk premium of around 5% (which is similar to that of equities and too high in our opinion, given the predictability of the operating cash flows, the low risk associated with distributions, and the potential for real growth) declines. Consequently, we believe that a fair value property initial yield of closer to 5% to 6% over the long-term is warranted. Investec Wealth & Investment manages listed property portfolios investing in quality SA property stocks and
Ranked #1
designed to deliver capital and income growth over the
By Business Day/Investors Monthly Stockbroker Awards for Sophisticated Investors.
Ranked #1 In the 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers Banking Survey in Wealth Management.
long-term. Contact Investec Wealth & Investment for more details. Sandton 011 286 4500
69753 Propety JHB.indd 1
Portfolio Management
Stockbroking
Wealth Management
Investec Securities Limited Reg. No 1972/008905/06. A member of the Investec Group. A member of the JSE Limited South Africa. An authorised financial service provider. A registered credit provider Reg. No. NCRCP262.
2012/04/26 5:43 PM
Property EDITORIAL Editor Nicky Manson nickym@medianova.co.za KwaZulu-Natal Bureau Chief Anne Schauffer anne@medianova.co.za Chief Subeditor Yaron Blecher Features Writers Genevieve Fisher (Western Cape) André Fiore (KwaZulu-Natal) Writer and Online Coordinator Catherine Riley ART Art Director Warren Uytenbogaardt Senior Designer Keverne Morland Junior Designer Chané Joemat Senior Retoucher Tim Lake CONTRIBUTORS Candace King, Tammy Sutherns PHOTOGRAPHERS Val Adamson, Nic Baleta, Sally Chance, Michael Glenister, Tim Lake, Fiona Barclay-Smith, Roeland Smith PRINTING Unity Press ADVERTISING Sales@medianova.co.za Sales & Marketing Director Shanee Smart Johannesburg Sales Milos Kovacevic, Tracey-Lee Schuster Johannesburg Sales Assistant Bianca van Deventer Western Cape Regional Sales & Marketing Manager Michèle Jones
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Western Cape Sales Tharien Nel, Susan Erwee KwaZulu-Natal Regional Sales & Marketing Manager Jenni McCallum KwaZulu-Natal Sales Assistant Liezel Barnard Pretoria Sales Lorna MacPhail Directory Sales Amanda Faas Media Coordinator Tamlyn Pasqualie Traffic Assistant Portia Mbele PUBLISHED BY MEDIA NOVA (PTY) LTD Managing Director Tony Vaughan tony@medianova.co.za PA to Managing Director Taryn Townsend General Manager Mark Pettipher markp@medianova.co.za Associate Publisher Namibia Mynard Slabbert Associate Publisher Pretoria Obed Sealetsa Financial Manager Leanne Cox leanne@medianova.co.za Finance Assistant Eleanor Scipio Credit Controller Anthea Odendaal IT Coordinator Adrian Petro Drivers Themba Gumede, Joseph Khoza, Willem September
SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2011: Winner – Best Property Publication Nedbank Property Association Awards 2010: Winner – Mover & Shaker Award (Tony Vaughan) PICA Awards 2009: Winner – Special Award, Overall Publishing Excellence PICA Awards 2008: Winner – Consumer Magazines, Largely Free Distribution, and Highly Commended: Editorial Excellence, Public Interest Writer of the Year (Ed Suter) 20th SAB Environmentalist of the Year & Environmental Journalists of the Year Awards 2008: Winner – Merit Award, Print & Internet SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2008: Winner – Best Property Publication, and Special Mention – Property Feature Journalist (Ed Suter) PICA Awards 2007: B2B – Publishing Excellence, Leisure Mondi Magazine Awards 2005: Winner – Foresight SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: Winner – Philip Tyler Trophy for Innovation in Magazine Publishing Brandhouse Media Owners Challenge Awards 2005:Winner – Innovation in Publishing SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: B2B – Highly Commended Mondi Magazine Awards 2004: Industry – Finalist Launch Edition: April 2004
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ON THIS MONTH’S COVERS Western Cape: On Show, Waters Edge Estate, Big Bay Gauteng: Urban Hub, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town KwaZulu-Natal: On Show, Thai-style home, Zimbali Golf Estate Pretoria: Menlyn Maine, Pretoria South Africa (National Digital Edition): Urban Hub, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
Disclaimer The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright Media Nova (Pty) Limited. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Media Nova (Pty) Limited. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.
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DISTRIBUTION REGIONAL CIRCULATION ABC Audited National Circulation (Oct.–Dec. 2011) The Property Magazine – Johannesburg (formerly Gauteng) 23 536 The Property Magazine – Western Cape 23 175 The Property Magazine – KwaZulu-Natal 13 750 The Property Magazine – Combined 60 461
15 230 copies free-to-home (including residential estates): Atholl & Atholl Ext. 12 Brackenhurst Bryanston & Exts. Dunkeld Dunkeld West Houghton Estate Hyde Park Illovo & Exts. Inanda & Exts. Lucas Rand Melrose Northcliff Parkmore Parkhurst Parktown North River Club Sandhurst Sandown & Exts. Saxonwold Westcliff Morningside
7 490 copies to luxury outlets (including Nambia): Atholl Place Castello Di Monte Clico Guest House Fairlawns Forum Homini Hotel Le Châtelat Radisson Blu Sun Square Montecasino Teremok Riverside Tintswalo at Waterfall Ten Bompas Hotel Ten 2nd Avenue Houghton Estate The Falstaff The Grace in Rosebank The Peech Hotel The Saxon The Quatermain The Westcliff Villa Sterne
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Discerning Craftmanship
You tell us Property involves us all. What’s your view? Email readers@medianova.co.za.
C
CHURN OF THE CENTURY
M
‘Randy with brandy’ is an odd title for a brief note on the Roundhouse Restaurant in Camps Bay! Please query the claim that this building served as Lord Charles Somerset’s hunting lodge in the 18th century – he only arrived at the Cape in 1814! With the exception of the last five years, the Dutch controlled the Cape for all of the 18th century. It’s most unlikely that they would have allowed an English nobleman to go hunting there! Alan Campbell, via email You’re correct on the history front! The Roundhouse was built as a guardhouse by the VOC in 1786.The present-day proprietor’s website goes on to say: ‘Since then, the building has also functioned as a hotel, dance hall and, most famously, Lord Charles Somerset’s hunting lodge.’ As you point out, that would have been in the 19th century. As regards the title, the focus of the piece was the Roundhouse Restaurant’s brandy-pairing menu.
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LETTER o
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f the Month
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Design Boulevard, William Nicol Road. Bryanston. Tel +27 11 463 5005 www.hartmannandkeppler.co.za follow us on facebook
• Hunting
PIPING HOT We appear to be locked into the use of natural and manufactured tiles for many of the high-traffic surfaces in homes today. I’m somewhat surprised that recycled and synthetic options with a low carbon footprint have not yet come to the fore. A guilty party of note, we have homes with sandstone shipped in from India, manufactured floor tiles from Italy and Brazil and granite from as far afield as China. With hot water solar heating in one home and LED and solar lighting in most, there must exist a brand-new application for low-carbon-footprint home surfaces. Up on the Pipe Track in Cecilia Forest above our Constantia home is a bench made from some kind of recycled plastic which shows no signs of weathering after years of Cape rain, wind and sun. Now that material is an option for a chopping board surface in any modern kitchen! Andrew Pollock, Newlands Village
WIN WITH DAVID GREEN Remaining true to his mission to create eyewear that resonates with
• Fishing
the environment, David Green has designed the Leaf Collection, a range of sunglasses inspired by nature. Each piece is precisioncrafted to incorporate in its frame a fallen leaf – dried, dyed and
• Camping
fashioned within a natural cotton-based acetate material. The leaf design is available in a variety of colours and forms, each one reflecting a unique identity. David Green is giving away four pairs
• Archer y
of this unique eyewear to the total value of R6 000 to four lucky readers of The Property Magazine. Write to us and stand a chance of winning eyewear that is as unique as you are. Send your letters to readers@medianova.co.za. Include your full name and contact details, and put ‘David Green’ in the subject line. (Not all letters will
gunshop@outdoorcentre.com.na Telephone: +264 61 241 1367 Metro Centre • Kleine Kuppe Windhoek • Namibia
be published.) 0861 114 852, greeneyewear.com
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HOT PROPERTY
HOT SPACE
1
MAGPIE’S DELIGHT
2
We love anything shiny, so we can’t help but be drawn to Tinsel’s gorgeous new shop and its high-end jewellery
T
he original Tinsel was situated at
in the windows, which were created using
I wanted to focus on. The cheaper things that
the Bamboo centre in Melville and
black lampshade frames, supplied by Anatomy
some designers churn out can get put into the
was a platform for local jewellers to
Design, and yellow cord. They fill the double-
same category as mass-produced costume
showcase their contemporary work.
volume space created by the stairs leading to
jewellery even though they’re handmade in
Tinsel was started by Geraldine Fenn and Jaci
the store, and frame the shop windows, which
silver, and I wanted to distinguish Tinsel from
Jenkins, who met when Jaci attended one of
promise to hold a regularly changing feast of
that end of the market.’
Geraldine’s jewellery classes. Together, they
design elements themselves. A screen at the back of the shop creates
represented around 50 local designers, a mix of students, hobbyists and more established
another focus point. Its top is cut in the shape
gems, including black diamonds. Geraldine’s
jewellers. In 2010, Jaci left to pursue a different
of a cloud, which echoes the cloud on the
favourite metal to work with is 18ct yellow
career path and Geraldine continued with
crest of the shop’s logo. A chair, a selection
gold. ‘It’s very expensive at the moment so
the business, solo. Recently, after deciding
of mirrors and two tables with yellow turned
I can’t make a lot of stock with it,’ she says.
to follow the higher-end market of jewellery
sections, originally made for an exhibition,
‘Most of the pieces I make for the shop are in
design, Geraldine has rebranded Tinsel, and
add depth to the space. The various objets
silver. I also love rubies and black diamonds,
with its new image comes new territory, in
d’art, cushions and paintings will be alternated
and vintage bits and pieces, such as cameos
Parkhurst. ‘The new space is much more clean
regularly, too. Geraldine also loves to theme
that I collect.’
lined and minimal because I really wanted the
her shop, as with the current bunny motif. Geraldine’s new business direction has led
jewellery to stand out and be the star of the Words Nicky Manson Photographs Supplied
Expect a collection made from a variety of materials, including rose gold, and a range of
All the pieces are made locally, by hand, and most of them are unique. Custom-made
to her concentrating on representing a smaller
designs can also be commissioned. In fact,
group of designers and giving more attention
Geraldine says this is one of her favourite
beside new custom-made cabinetry designed
to the design, materials and craftsmanship.
aspects of her work. ‘I want people to know
by Conrad Botes. Painted turquoise on the
The range is high end and pieces vary in price.
that there is an alternative to the mass-
inside, it provides a nice pop of colour. Quirky
‘What I love about making jewellery is the
produced, generic stuff out there and that we
displays are on hand, from the yellow pot
labour-intensive process of working by hand
can make something different and original just
holders outside to the interesting light fixtures
to make a unique, special piece, so that’s what
for them.’
show,’ Geraldine says. Cabinets from the old Melville shop stand
+27 (0)11 447 2761, tinsel.co.za
The quirky exterior of the shop is accentuated by fun yellow pot holders. 2Beautiful jewellery is
1
Visit thepropertymag.co.za for other
showcased in custom-made cabinetry.
strongholds of bling in your area.
thepropertymag.co.za | 11
HOT PROPERTY
HOT PLATE
A hidden country restaurant, a fresh take on beverages and an arty eatery where just about anything goes SLEEK PICK-ME-UP Create the perfect bistro-style coffee in the comfort of your home with Miele’s new CM5200 free-standing coffee machine. Gorgeous to look at, thanks to its sleek and elegant design, it can make two beverages simultaneously at the mere touch of a button. Choose your fave hot beverage, be it espresso, coffee, cappuccino or latte macchiato, and personalise your coffee-maker to your own desired specifications, including the quantity of ground coffee, the brewing temperature, the pre-brew setting and the volume of coffee you require.
JONATHAN SHAW
Available from Stax, Elna, Euro Appliances and Hirsch’s stores nationwide. +27 (0)11 875 9000, miele.co.za
Warm & Glad is the new kid on the block in Craighall Park. We chat to owner Jonathan Shaw about our new fave hangout.
Q Your business has an interesting name. How did you come up with it?
‘Warm & Glad’ sounds like a good feeling – a nice place to be.
Q What’s your background? Do you have prior experience in the restaurant world?
My background is in design – graphic and Web. The food biz is a new thing for me, although I am an avid foodie. Warm & Glad is not only a restaurant, however; it is also a deli, magazine store and bookshop. We sell vinyl records, art prints and more.
Q Who is the chef, and what inspires your dishes? The food is a team effort. We are constantly updating and changing the menu. It is mainly my wife and I who come up with the menu.
Q Where did the idea derive from, to mix food and media in a single retail/restaurant setting?
Warm & Glad is about all the things I love: food, magazines, art, design, fashion, business and coffee. We put it together, and it seems good. This is a constantly evolving space.
HOME ON THE RANGE The saying about the grass being greener on the other side holds true for the magnificent
Q How would you describe your venue to a potential customer?
As an interesting space with special products, great coffee, delightful food and free Wi-Fi. +27 (0)11 781 0455, warmandglad.com
12 | May/June 2012
restaurant hidden away in the rolling hills of Monaghan Farm, The Other Side. Pizza and pasta are on offer from Wednesday to Saturday, but it’s the wholesome Sunday buffet that trumps all. There are various amenities for kids, including a slippery-slide and various shady picnic spots on grass as green as the pea-and-fresh-herb soup starter. For adults, there’s a three-course culinary journey best tackled at leisure, breathtaking views of the countryside and a good few hours’ worth of peace and calm with family and friends. Monaghan Farm’s ethos of organic, sustainable living is carried through to the deli and restaurant too. The home- grown veggies are for sale to residents and patrons alike and are used in The Other Side’s wholesome and tasty meals. +27 (0)87 630 0742, monaghanfarm.co.za
HOT PROPERTY
HOT PLATE ANYONE FOR TEA? The Tea Merchant, the go-to people for all things related to teatime, has a new showroom in Parktown North. Now you can peruse its gorgeous collection of teas, teapots and other accessories at your leisure. The Tea Merchant sources its tea products from around the world and the tea leaves come from the finest estates. The teapots on offer are made from glass, cast iron or zisha clay, and unusual teas, such as Flower Tea and Dragon Well Tea, can be found here too. The Tea Merchant is also on hand for tea recommendations, serving instructions and private tastings. Pop in to the secret world of teas for a taste and shopping sensation. +27 (0)82 459 1910, theteamerchant.co.za
YUM! Sharon Glass is now appearing on our screens in a new cooking show created by the Home Channel. In Food in a Flash, the acclaimed selftaught chef and best-selling author of cookbooks presents you with cooking lessons in the comfort of your TV room. Visit the website for schedules and featured recipes. thehomechannel.co.za
WARMING UP THE SIDEWALK A new dining venture has set up shop in Craighall Park, and with its slightly European air, Warm & Glad is bound to warm you up. Open for breakfast and lunch, the focus is on simple home-made food that will tickle your taste buds, such as the Warm & Glad granola breakfast special. Also on offer are a host of imported delicacies and a range of local and international teas and coffee. Combining food and coffee with media and culture is the bistro’s selling point, and you will find a variety of imported and local newspapers, a selection of fashion, art, architecture and business magazines, books, vinyl records and art prints. There is also complimentary Wi-Fi on offer. Owner Jonathan Shaw says, ‘We have set about creating something that is constant, but not static – a space that evolves as we go along. We will be introducing new products and selections all the time and we update our menu on a regular basis.’ The space is warm, like its name, and open and airy. It’s the perfect place to dine with friends or to retreat to alone in the company of a great coffee and your daily newspapers. +27 (0)11 781 0455, warmandglad.com
LET THEM DRINK WATER New to SA is Fiji Water, which is sourced from the remote Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu, from a unique geological formation. Currently the number one selling water in the USA, it is bottled to protect the purity of water, and so the water itself is never touched by human hands. Discover bliss in a bottle. Available from stores nationwide. fijiwater.com
thepropertymag.co.za | 13
HOT PROPERTY
hot plate
Fabulous fabrics, a one-stop renovation shop, and something for Dad …
St Leger & Viney’s recent Design Focus was a day of inspiration. We speak to
David Walker, sales director
of Sanderson UK, the masters of fabrics and wallpaper.
Q What is the secret to your success?
Having and keeping complete control of our brand, from the design process to producing the designs ourselves in a factory.
Q How do your designs come about?
We have seven in-house designers, all of
Warm up in style
who are young, very bright, artistic and,
Just in time for our early winter, Graphica Textiles introduces its unique home accessories
funnily enough, all female. But we are
range, which falls under the Winter Home label in SA. Consisting of luxury throws and gorgeous
also often approached with ideas and
cushions, their range of faux fur items are soft and easy to care for, lightfast and colourfast, and
designs by outside designers and often
are available in an array of colours. Available from the Progress Decor Centre in Kramerville.
fall in love with them. Dandelion Clocks,
+27 (0)11 493 6833, graphica-textiles.co.za
a ’50s inspired design, was brought to us and became a bestseller.
Q Is wallpaper still popular?
Wallpaper’s resurgence of popularity began in 2005 and is going strong, thanks in part to the growing trend of feature walls. Our designs, however, are moving to smaller, less intrusive designs that allow you to use them on all four walls. Technology has also made hanging wallpaper so much easier, and digital printing means we can print any design to any size, using a limitless colour palette.
Q What can we expect from Sanderson UK in the future?
Hidden treasure l’Emile et Son has popped up in Parkhurst and is a colourful treasure chest of hidden
We have an archive full of designs
delights. Bright and colourful walls hold a gorgeous array of fun products, decor items and
dating back over 150 years and we are
objets d’art. High ceilings and white-washed wooden beams allow a flood of light into the
now licensing these designs. So we are
space. The hanging upside-down pot plants and colourful motifs and characters that adorn
branching out into accessories, such
the walls add a quirky touch. l’Emile et Son was established in 2010. Their philosophy?
as bed linen, fine bone china, rugs,
‘The product and design has to enthuse. The design and function of the product has to
stationery and so forth. +27 (0)11 265 9050; sanderson-uk.com
make us want to explore it, and then motivate us to experience it.’ l’Emile et Son chooses its suppliers with award-winning designs in mind, to fill up the beautiful design concept store. You can also find its products online. +27 (0)82 557 0150, l-emile-et-son.com
14 | May/June 2012
HOT PROPERTY
HOT DECOR & DESIGN
LIGHTING UP LOCAL TALENT CHIP OFF THE OL’ BLOCK
Empowering the community via the creation of beautiful design is what drives Umcebo Design, whose newest range
Moleskin notebooks have always been the image of sophistication and
of lighting and decor pieces does not disappoint. Using
style. Now, just in time for Father’s Day, the brand has introduced a new,
references from SA’s local arts and craft scene and drawing
more playful look – the Lego notebook collection. These limited-edition
inspiration from our indigenous landscape, the lamps
Lego notebooks come in four different ruled or plain versions and are
and wall sconce chandeliers are a fantasy of beauty and
available from Loom in Parkhurst. +27 (0)11 447 4330, loomshop.co.za
functionality. +27 (0)83 793 3408, umcebodesign.co.za
PERFECT UNION A marriage of lifestyle brands sees Mobelli Outdoor Furniture and Womag (World of Marble and Granite) joining forces and opening up a concept store together. This combination of brands had led to a design collection like no other, displaying the gorgeous outdoor furniture and accessories of Mobelli against Womag’s array of natural stone and porcelain tiles, sanitaryware and taps. A renovator’s haven, the store is situated in the Leaping Frog Shopping Centre in Fourways. +27 (0)11 467 6272, mobelli.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 15
HOT PROPERTY
HOT INDULGENCE
Indulgences for your jewellery box, your pets and your wardrobe. And that’s just for starters
MIND THE GAP Gap Inc. recently opened three stores in SA – in Jozi, Cape Town and Pretoria. These launches mark the much-loved American clothing brand’s first foray into sub-Saharan Africa and we think it’s about time too. Find your nearest Gap store at Sandton City in Joburg, at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre in Cape Town and, soon, at Pretoria’s Brooklyn Mall. +27 (0)21 914 1390, +27 (0)11 783 5212; gap.com
SWAP MEET Started by an entrepreneur who is passionate about travel, LoveHomeSwap.com takes scenes from the blockbuster movie The Holiday to new heights. Realising early on that kids and hotels don’t mix, Debbie Wosskow, a career mom who still wanted to travel with family in tow, decided that a home away from home was the way to go. And so came about LoveHomeSwap, a labour of love that allows like-minded individuals or families to swap their homes via the website, ensuring cost-effective travel – and absolutely no hotels. Debbie has identified four groups of people who would benefit from this service: empty-nesters who have time to travel; second-home owners who swap holiday homes instead of renting; families who need more space than a hotel can offer; and first-time homebuyers who can’t afford a holiday. It’s similar to social networking – you join via the website, browse the properties and then build up trust with the owners of those properties. A luxe subscription rate gets you a dedicated travel and concierge team as well as a soon-to-be-released identification product and bespoke insurance product. Take out a trial membership and discover grand mansions in the English countryside or compact apartments in New York City. Happy holidays!
ENGRAVED IN THE STARS London-based jewellery designer, Kirsten Goss, is so hot right now. We love her new Geo-Grafik
ADD ANOTHER DIMENSION L’Oréal Paris has introduced the latest in eyelash technology with its new
collection, with its clean geometric lines and names
mascara False Lash Architect 4D Black Lacquer. Not content to navigate the
inspired by the ancient disciplines of geometry and
world of 3D, Lash Architect tackles women’s desire for more volume, more
astronomy, names such as the Orion necklace, Pyxis
length, more texture and more curl. This revolutionary mascara does it all for
studs and Octavia earrings. Available from Kirsten
you at a simple flick of a wand. Available too in waterproof, so your gorgeous
Goss stores in Joburg, Durban, and soon, Cape
lashes won’t be affected by water or sweat. Released last month and available
Town. +27 (0)31 312 7573, +27 (0)11 447 2234;
from L’Oréal Paris stockists nationwide. loreal.co.za
kirstengoss.com
16 | May/June 2012
HOT PROPERTY
WIN WITH LOOFTLIGHTER! There’s nothing like the weekend. And when that weekend involves time spent around the braai, it’s guaranteed to be a good one. This Father’s Day, help Dad take the stress out of braai preparations with the amazing new Looftlighter, a Swedish patented device that lights your braai or fireplace in 60 seconds – no lighter fluid or braai lighters needed! With its powerful hot- airstream system, the Looftlighter is safe and environmentally friendly, cutting down on toxic fumes from petroleum-based products and providing Dad with a safe alternative to conventional firelighters. +27 (0)21 880 0074, info@looftlighter.co.za, looftlighter.co.za
WIN! Stand to win one of 12 Looftlighter hampers valued at R1 060 each, including a Looftlighter, basket, apron and braai tongs. Email readers@medianova.co.za with your details and put ‘Dad’ in the subject box. Ts and Cs apply.
EGYPT IN YOUR BAG Designer accessory label, Missibaba, has launched its Autumn/Winter collection, called
POSH PET
Missibaba and the Search for the Golden Scarab, which is inspired by the mysteries of Egypt
Docklands Hotel in Durban has scored a
and the Adventures of Tintin. Taking as its starting points the series of comic albums created
‘bow-wow’ now that it has become the
by Belgian artist Georges Remi (pen name ‘Hergé’) as well as ancient artefacts, sealed
first pet-friendly hotel in the Signature
tombs and woven papyrus, Missibaba has created new bag, belt and jewellery styles that
Life Hotels collection. The hotel has no
will bring out the explorer in you. Plus, in collaboration with jewellery designer
difficulties with extending the welcome
extraordinaire, Kirsten Goss, Missibaba will be opening up a shop in Bree
mat to pets. GM Ellen Aucamp says,
Street any day now. Shop online, too. +27 (0)21 461 1083, missibaba.com
‘We have allocated specific rooms that cater to pets as we have had an increased demand for these facilities, and with the right pet zones and policies in place, we can more than happily look after man’s best friend.’ The hotel has achieved this by introducing demarcated pet zones, pet strolling and social areas and clearly displayed pet policies, and it is keenly observing every facet of operations, from food to health and safety. Signature Life Hotels CEO Alan Vels says, ‘We as a company are all about guest satisfaction. Our success and growth has relied on innovation. In observing overseas hospitality trends
HATS OFF
KZNa fresh and new Hatz by Natz is range d oa br a at offers based brand th ung ned millinery. Yo of custom-desig hing es fl is p am nk ia Stee designer Natash with a for hat fashion out her passion y and fun. ek, stylish, funk range that’s sle tz.co.za 0515, hatzbyna +27 (0)82 528
that tap into new markets, we see that pet-friendly hotels are accepted as the norm in the US and Europe and we wanted to pioneer it here.’ +27 (0)31 332 8190, signaturelifehotels.com
thepropertymag.co.za | 17
HOT PROPERTY
JOHANNESBURG DIARY
Le Grand Cirque: Adrenaline, 23 May – 17 June This jaw-dropping performance promises to get your heart pumping with a visual feast of the most dangerous, thrilling and entertaining acts, combined with physical comedy routines and amazing feats of skill and agility. Take the family for a thrilling day out at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein and be enthralled by daredevil motorbike riders, dangerous circus acts and astounding contortionists. Tickets: R152–R180. +27 (0)11 877 6800, joburgtheatre.com
MamaMagic – The Baby Expo, 17–20 May On at the Coca-Cola Dome, North Riding, the expo is perfect for expectant moms and dads wishing to gain knowledge about pregnancy and parenting. You’ll also find all the latest parenting survival gear under one roof. Barney the Dinosaur and CBeebie’s Mister Maker will be putting in an appearance too. Entry: R65. Add R50 to see Mister Maker. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com
Grand Designs Live 2012, 25–27 May Grand Designs Live Home & Garden Show is taking things to a whole new level this year as it focuses on interactivity, innovation, experts and trends. On at the Coca-Cola Dome in North Riding, the show is aimed at those who are seeking to improve their home by renovating, building or simply redecorating. The event also showcases all the latest must-have products. Tickets: adults R80, pensioners R50, children under 12 are free. +27 (0)11 835 1565, granddesignslive.co.za
Groves and Vineyards Festival, 26–27 May Get out to Casalinga restaurant in the Muldersdrift countryside and taste exclusive wines, various brands of olives, olive oils, home-made cupcakes,
Grand Designs Live
18 | May/June 2012
fudge, organic vegetables and lots more to tantalise your taste buds. Tickets: R80. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com
HOT PROPERTY
Sasol Birds and Birding Fair, 26–27 May Regarded as the largest of its kind in southern Africa, the fair promises to be a fun-filled event with loads of free activities, exhibitions, workshops and guided bird walks. This year’s theme focuses on birds of prey. On at the Johannesburg Zoo, Parkview. +27 (0)11 789 1122, birdlife.org.za
Boesman and Lena, 29 May–30 June This performance of Athol Fugard’s masterpiece showcases the talents of actors Quanita Adams and Elton Landrew and director James Ngcobo. Showing at the Old Mutual Theatre on the Square, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. Tickets: R60. +27 (0)82 553 5903, strictlytickets.com; +27 (0)11 883 8606, theatreonthesquare.co.za
Kaya FM Wine & Malt Whisky Affair, 31 May – 1 June Join wine expert Wade Bales and 40 of South Africa’s premier wineries as they showcase their top two flagship wines alongside 10 top single-malt whisky distillers at the Firs in Rosebank. Tickets: R150. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com
The Moody Blues, 1 June Oyster, Wine & Food Festival
The English rock band is appearing with special guests, 10cc and Procol Harum, at the Coca- Cola Dome, North Riding. Expect big hits, including Nights In White Satin, Your Wildest Dreams and I Know You’re Out There Somewhere. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com
Brightwater Commons Oyster, Wine & Food Festival, 2–3 June Imagine 40 000 freshly shucked oysters, 28 gourmet food exhibitors and wines from 32 estates. Entry to the festival is free, but a fee will be charged for the oysters, gourmet foods and wine. +27 (0)11 789 5052, brightwatercommons.co.za
Roxette, 3 June Roxette is back for more. Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle started out in the late 1980s and have wowed fans and audiences ever since with hit singles, such as Joyride, It Must Have Been Love, Listen To Your Heart and Dressed for Success. Performing at the Coca-Cola Dome, North Riding. Tickets: R350–R505. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com
Hugh Masekela: Heritage, 8–9 June South Africa’s famous musician and composer, Hugh Masekela, is
Roxette
performing all his greatest hits at his latest show, Heritage. Showing at the Lyric, Gold Reef City Casino, Ormonde. Tickets: R212–R365. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com
Hugh Masekela
Send your 2012 event information to readers@medianova.co.za. thepropertymag.co.za | 19
HOT PROPERTY
HOT MANDATE
T
his historic home has a rich past. The mansion was originally designed by Sir Herbert Baker and Frank Fleming, renowned for their architectural work, including St John’s College and Roedean School. Building work on the property began circa 1910 for the Central Mining and Investment Corporation (later known as Rand Mines), and was completed in 1928. Today this Randlord build forms part of the Heritage Walk and its abundant historical features make it an obvious choice as a monument to Johannesburg’s past. The Gate House is situated on a large view site in the Valley Road area of Parktown and is on sale for R27 million – a price well worth its weight in history. The architecture features historical characteristics, including period stonemasonry and beautifully crafted balustrades, ceiling beams, doors and floors. The landscaped gardens are just as splendid, having been recently renovated along with the terraces. There is a rose garden of 150 varietals that have been featured in several publications, and the garden itself has been entered into an international show taking place later this year. The Gate House does not only offer the chance to own a corner of Gauteng’s history as one of the only mansions of its time left and available for purchase, but also offers an exclusive Murray Haywood, lifestyle to its new owners. +27 (0)83 391 7037, +27 (0)11 447 4420 murray@kingsestates.co.za, kingsestates.co.za
1
2
3
History for sale
The Gate House is one of the last remaining mansions from the Randlord era
The old-world glamour of this Baker & Fleming build extends from the entrance hall to the rest of the home. 2The grand and spacious living room. 3The property features
1
terraced, manicured lawns and a show garden.
If you would like to have your hot mandate featured, email editorial@medianova.co.za.
20 | May/June 2012
ASK THE EXPERTS
DESK JOCKEYS
Expert advice on setting up a productive workspace Photographs Nic Baleta Location Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa
INSPIRATION OFFICE
PLATYNUM INTERIORS
Richard Andrews, Managing Director
Rob Clouston, Co-Owner
Tell us about your company. Inspiration Office is the leader in office furniture and has offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Our products range from bespoke, value-driven, environmentally friendly, locally produced pieces to awardwinning international brands. What are the latest trends in office spaces? Because of new technology and innovative business services, the modern workplace is in transition. The strong emphasis on teamwork means there’s an increase in the number of collaborative spaces. Integration of technology is key, allowing workers to operate with greater flexibility and freedom. Ergonomics and environmental issues remain paramount. Your top product solution? A solution should be fit for purpose and communicate the image and brand of the office it represents. Our products are highly practical yet beautiful, with high attention to design detail. Give us a recent example of your products in action. The Accenture offices represent an integration of environmentally friendly, locally manufactured solutions with imported task seating. We have also been appointed as the furniture supplier to the new Alexander Forbes and Allan Gray head offices in Sandton and Cape Town, respectively.
Tell us about your company. Platynum Interiors was established in 2001 by me and Trevor Spencer-Crooks. We are a multifaceted, multidisciplinary company with a key focus on corporate interior design. We provide a selection of services to give our clients a one-stop solution. Our services include space planning, design concepts, shopfitting, furniture procurement, budget preparation, construction and project management, to name a few. A total turnkey solution. What are the latest trends in office space? Less is more in the corporate office – making use of multifunctional office pieces to optimise space and activity-based planning and areas. Integrated workspaces with a common flow. Collaboration within the space. ‘One big area.’ Green solutions are also gaining in popularity. Your top product solution? Interactive workstations and areas using environmentally friendly pieces … Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Give us a recent example of your products in action. Royal Bafokeng Platinum’s offices at the Pivot, Montecasino. Is there a particular workspace, in South Africa or abroad that inspires your work? Empty space … It’s magical! That’s what inspires us …
+27 (0)11 268 0636,
+27 (0)11 886 6368,
inspirationoffice.co.za
platynum.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 21
22 | May/June 2012
PRIME PROPERTY
A HAPPENING A new commercial office block, Urban-Hub, in Cape Town’s historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, is a hybrid of old and new design aesthetics Words Genevieve Fisher Photographs Tim Lake and Supplied
thepropertymag.co.za | 23
prime property
24 | May/June 2012
prime property
S
Opening page Reclaimed wood from the previous building on the site has been turned into an attractive design feature at Urban-Hub, as demonstrated in the reception area. Opposite Some antique furniture provides a contrast to the contemporary spaces and nodes at Urban-Hub. This page, top Individual industrial-style lights have been grouped together to form an interesting lighting feature. Bottom The stairway from the ground floor to the first floor is flanked by the signature reclaimed wood.
tanding in the reception area of UrbanHub, you can’t help but think that this is a place you’d love to work from. As far as commercial office spaces go, Urban-Hub is the antithesis of the stale and clinical corporate ones that most people would imagine an office block to be – harsh fluorescent lighting, synthetic blue carpet tiles, long corridors and vending machines selling goods whose main ingredients start with an E. But walking through the slick glass doors at Urban-Hub, what faces you is as urban a space as can be: industrial chic in the form of concrete, red-brick and original old fire escape doors, a warm ambience, thanks to reclaimed wooden cladding, all of which is pulled together by a thread of cool in the form of contemporary art and furniture, not to mention a node where iPads are lined up for visitors’ use. But this is a place that’s more than just chic, hip and happening. As Jonny Friedman, CEO of Urban Lime, the property investment company responsible for this project, says, ‘It’s not a new development in the sense that it was built from scratch; rather, it is a restoration project, in that we worked with what was there already and transformed it.’ Structurally, there are five adjoining buildings dating from the turn of 1800s to the 1970s, which have been interlinked, to make up Urban-Hub. The oldest of the buildings was owned by the same family since 1904.The newest one is a typical red-brick 1970s design and is now the knuckle of the development, where the modish reception area is. The transformed buildings now accommodate offices spaces ranging from 84m2 to 192m2, hotdesking units, a rooftop deck and garden, a restaurant that Jonny says will serve the best coffee in Cape Town – big props here! – and three retail shops. ‘We wanted to create a place where those working here don’t need to, and more importantly, don’t want to leave,’ says Jonny. From the get-go, Jonny loved the area and had his sights set on these buildings for nearly two years before the transformation began. His company, Urban Lime, based in London and for the last eight years also operating in Cape Town, has garnered a niche for itself in that it targets areas that most developers wouldn’t, finds a site, and turns it into a trendy locale. ‘We’ve had a lot of experience doing these sort of restoration projects and Urban-Hub was in fact modelled on one we did in the now popular Shoreditch area in London’s East End, which was a no-go zone until a few years ago,’ he says. Because he isn’t bashing down buildings, but merely restoring them to glory, Jonny knew about the history of these particular building and was as emphatic about retaining that sense of history as he was about modernising the spaces. And what a history it is. When Jonny enlisted the skills and insight of Aidan Hart, from Inhouse Brand Architects, Aidan and his team started stripping down and dismantling the many layers of these buildings. Backed with research, they uncovered a lot of what went on in them over the years, almost like a visual history book of the buildings and the area. ‘When we started working on one of the buildings in the hub, the old Delos building, through uncovering its many shells, we discovered quite a long and wild history,’ says Aidan. ‘The long retaining wall has as its bottom half an old stone wall that dates back
thepropertymag.co.za | 25
prime property
Above left Retro seating and contemporary artwork in the waiting area. Above right and opposite An old stool as well as wooden beams from the original building enhance the industrial feel of the premises.
to the first Dutch settlers. Above it is another layer of red-brick that is typical of the English colonial era.’ What’s even more interesting is that the original wooden columns have been stripped down to reveal extensive burn marks dating back to anti-apartheid riots that occurred in the area during the ’60s, which have now been revealed and become part of the look and feel of the space. Retaining the history of these buildings was just a part of Jonny’s brief to Aidan. ‘The practicality of making these buildings into one modern and contemporary office hub required a lot of work. We needed to create flow between the interior spaces of the buildings, maximise light and bring in an international feel,’ says Aidan. Jonny had seen Aidan’s work at the Test Kitchen and Carne SA restaurants and knew that he was the man for the job. Aidan’s expertise in spatial effects and his ability to tie nodes together is what Jonny needed in order for this project to work, namely, a special effects artist. Aidan says, ‘My starting point was to ask the question, how would this space be utilised? In other words, starting with the psychology of architecture, or the human aspect of the discipline, which is like figuring out a puzzle.’ The first piece of that puzzle
26 | May/June 2012
was the idea of circularity as opposed to linearity. As he admits, ‘I’m not a fan of long passages or corridors – they’re negative spaces for me.’ The result is that, from the reception area, the voluminous space tapers off towards the back and directs you to other nodes by means of interesting wall features and stairs. On either side of the reception area there are the original metal fire escape doors that lead you into other areas, such as the restaurant on the left and more office spaces on the right. Both of these areas connect on a terrace at the top, with vertical gardens, dramatic views of Table Mountain and the vibrant colours of the Bo-Kaap framing them in the foreground. One of facets of this development that really boosts its credibility is that it is located in the Bo-Kaap, renowned for its Cape Malay history, restaurants, mosques, and most of all, its rainbow- coloured old homes. ‘Urban-Hub is in a great location in the Bo-Kaap: it’s a stone’s throw away from town and the Cape Quarter and is visible from one of town’s main arteries, Buitengracht Street. So far the reaction from our tenants has been fantastic – they love the design, location, and the fact that it is not commercialised yet still a safe area,’ says Jonny, who holds his tenants’ opinion in high regard.
This has been the key to Urban Lime’s success over the last 20-odd years. As Jonny says, ‘We’ve established lasting relationships with our tenants over the years. We really value them and have in some instances built premises to accommodate their changing needs.’ Jonny believes that the tenant mix of Urban-Hub will be the key to the development’s success. ‘The project is aimed at attracting small-tomedium-size businesses that have been around for at least five years and who are in the creative fields. We’ve created a space with a strong emphasis on networking that we hope will make tenants and their visitors linger longer.’ He points out that, although the pricing of units is on the high end, what tenants get for their money is a boutique office environment that includes top-notch security, ample parking, a receptionist and concierge, cleaning service, fast Internet access, and above all, a whole lot of style accolades, thanks to their being able to call this chic, happening hub their office. With thanks to … Inhouse Brand Architects, +27 (0)21 488 2400, inhouse.ws Urban-Hub, +27 (0)82 836 9333, urban-hub.co.za, urbanlime.co.uk
prime property
thepropertymag.co.za | 27
ON SHOW
THE DUKE OF AWE This mansion has been converted by WMI to a home suitable for the modern family
Words Catherine Riley Photographs Nic Baleta
On Tap Craighall, +27 (0)11 781 3940
28 | May/June 2012
ON SHOW
INTERIOR DESIGNER PROFILE Wanda-Michelle Interiors (WMI) is involved in various markets, predominately in the residential and leisure industries, including boutique hotels and lodges. The slogan at WMI is ‘Defining Self Within’, which translates into a passion for design and decor that defines the individual within his or her environment. Having started in the industry under her own name in 2000, specialising in renovations, refurbishments and upgrades, Wanda- Michelle Hadlow has gained Wanda-Michelle Interiors, +27 (0)11 447 7453
12 years of practical experience, which has in turn allowed for WMI to evolve
T
he first thing you’ll notice about this Midrand home is its slight oriental flair, provided by the curvature of the Chinesestyle roof that contrasts with a facade of mixed stone. The original shell can still be traced in the design, but Claudio Oliveira of Claudio and Associates has revamped the home to make it roomier and brighter. Claudio says, ‘The main objectives were to change passages, open up rooms and to make it a more liveable environment for the family’s needs,’ he says.
into a fully fledged interior design firm
The refurbished mansion is grand as can be, a modern choice for Cinderella’s next ball. The ballroom-like double volume of the entranceway is crowned with a glittering chandelier. The calming, uncluttered white space is punctuated with splashes of colour and a curved golden banister begs for a pair of enchanted slippers to tread the marble staircase. Greeting you at the top of the stairs are three paintings by local artists. ‘Creating more open space made it essential to have modern features put in, to match with theme,’ says Claudio.
that now trades under WM Renovations as Wanda-Michelle Interiors. WMI offers a full turnkey project solution that covers design collaboration and consultancy, renovations, project management, interior design and decor. WMI’s expertise lies in the interface between client and architect on any project, large or small. This allows WMI to succeed from inception to completion, from interpreting the client’s needs to defining the architectural space and
Bottom left On Tap provided the Isca Prestige taps, Deca basins and GV di Bella accessories for this stunning
enhancing the design. From the selection
bathroom. On Tap offers a complete solution for any plumbing related query. Its current projects include the
of finishes, design of cabinetry and
upgrades of bathrooms for RMB Sandton and Protea Hotel Melrose Arch. Bottom right Damask patterns,
furnishings to the installation and moving
inspired by centuries of fabrics from Italy, Spain and France, can be used to create a number of moods in a
in of the client, Wanda-Michelle Interiors
room, such as this bedroom’s look of gentle sophistication. Based in Kramerville, Sasi Wallpaper has a wide
will create and coordinate a perfect
range of stock, and supplies to decorators, corporates and homeowners.
living and leisure environment that is tailor- made to suit the individual needs of either your family or staff. Not only does WMI have full-time designers that are proficient in AutoCAD, Revit and CorelDraw, bringing technical expertise to the firm, but it also has strong relationships with its suppliers and craftspeople. This has helped WMI to build up a solid, respectable reputation of loyalty and reliability that is vital to everyone involved. WMI strives to make the entire project as easy as possible and is thus able to deliver an end product of outstanding standards in a cost-efficient and timely manner. WMI’s mission is to interpret the client’s own unique style and then add the polish of balance, flow, warmth and versatility that is its design signature. WMI is all about creating an environment that is peaceful, healing, uplifting and energising. The WMI team’s promise is to ‘Give of our best; deliver the best”.
Sasi Wallpaper, +27 (0)82 577 6399
thepropertymag.co.za | 29
ON SHOW
Black Fabrics, +27 (0)11 262 3130
Tile Vision, +27 (0)84 370 5431
Black Fabrics is an exclusive decorative fabrics wholesaler catering to the trade. The company’s collection appeals to all tastes and styles as it represents a choice of 15 different, premium fabrics and wallpaper brands. The fabric shown here, titled ‘What the Hoot’ by Harlequin, is a must for children’s bedrooms. Above right Tile Vision supplied marble, porcelain tiles and all accessories to help create a timeless look. The company specialises in the specification and supply of porcelain, ceramic and natural stone tiles for projects across the board, including shopping centres, hotels and private homes. Tile Vision imports from Spain, Italy, Malaysia and China.
With four bedrooms, a large living room, dining room, kitchen, and spacious en-suite bathrooms, there’s plenty to see and plenty of places to just be in this house. It’s perfect for the entertainer, too.The kitchen has a streamlined look, thanks to the sleek black marble surfaces and hidden appliances, and there is more than enough space to swing a large cat. A small breakfast table sits at the end of the counter in the kitchen. A large glass and wooden table can be found in the dining room. The main bedroom is a swathe of rich fabrics, from the curtains to the padded headboard. The en-suite bathroom here offers a simple shower and blue feature wall. The main bathroom is a dream, with plenty of room and a two-level layout. Coloured with browns, beiges and whites, the design allows for any princess to eagerly ready herself for the ball.
30 | May/June 2012
A sit-down shower, walk-in-closet, ample vanity space and luxurious, jet bathtub are all on hand for the full five-star experience. Wallpaper is used throughout the home, either as just an accent on one wall, or on several, depending on each room. In one room you’ll find thin, bright pink, purple and green stripes, in another, cartoon-like drawings of houses in red and blue add a little fun. The guest bedroom’s wallpaper makes use of a brocade design, catching on the light and complementing the dark headboard and white sheets.This room is the epitome of the remaining classic feel of the home. But just when this dream address seems like it could be a playhouse princesses and princes, you realises it might just be best enjoyed with socks on feet, curled up by the electric fireplace in the living room and keeping warm while relaxing with loved ones.
Professionals List … Black Fabrics – Wallpaper +27 (0)11 262 3130, info@blackfabrics.co.za, blackfabrics.co.za On Tap Craighall – Sanitaryware +27 (0)11 781 3940, craighall@ontap.co.za, ontap.co.za Sasi Wallpaper – Wallpaper +27 (0)83 301 9967, info@sasiwallpaper.co.za, sasiwallpaper.co.za Tile Vision – Tiles +27 (0)84 370 5431, info@tilevision.co.za WMI – Interior Design +27 (0)11 447 7453, wanda@wmi.co.za, wmi.co.za
DESIGN
CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL
CREATIVE CAPITAL If all corporate environments were to take a leaf out of the advertising industry’s decor and design book, then you’d find your days at the office much more inspiring Words Genevieve Fisher Photographs Supplied
A
dvertising is big business. It is also big on creativity, and in all instances this flair for the creative filters through into the places
these agencies call home. Here we bring you the inside story of how two agencies, one an industry heavyweight, the other relatively young, but destined for great things, have managed to create spaces that reflect their respective cultures and values. We also feature a new agency that has got a lot of heart and is focused on skills development.
Top right Office space at Promise Brand Specialists. Centre Aspiring designers at OFyt’s studio. Bottom right Reception area at King James Group.
thepropertymag.co.za | 33
O DESIGN
OWN IT!
The palatial Woodstock home of 2011’s Agency of the Year, King James Group, is as regal as they come
K
ing James Group has some of the most provocative ads and campaigns behind its name, not to mention some blue-chip clients. But Group Creative Director Alistair King says that for its first 14 years the group had been ‘camping’, because it did not own its own premises. Until now. From the get-go it was Alistair’s and his partner, group managing director, James Barty’s, dream to one day own their own premises. Four years ago, when visiting their auditing firm, which was based at what was then Roodebloem Manor, a heritage property in Woodstock, Cape Town, dating back to the 1800s, Alistair had a jaw-dropping experience. ‘I couldn’t believe that such a property existed, tucked away amongst some very modest houses. The property was nothing short of spectacular. It was like driving into an oasis of impressive lawns, a stately manor house and an endearing washuisie. We told one of the partners there and then that they should speak to us should they ever want to sell, and they
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laughed because it was the furthest thing from their minds at the time,’ says Alistair. When entering the almost-150-year-old main building, the manor house, you can almost hear that laughter reverberating off the walls, pressed ceilings and incredibly voluminous spaces. Alistair and James have created a space that houses all seven of the communications agencies falling under the King James Group umbrella, where the balance between creative thinking, sophistication, history and humour is finely struck. The group is one of the few independent agencies to have garnered exceptional credentials over the years, but as far as Alistair is concerned, owning this new office space is one of the group’s proudest achievements. ‘It’s a profound feeling, owning our own offices. It’s one thing to own property as an investment, but it’s altogether another feeling to have one that feels like an essential ingredient to our company culture. We always felt a little out of character when we were in other buildings, and for the first time ever we now feel
that we’re in a place that mirrors our temperament and brings the right kind of energy to the creative process,’ he says. And talking about ‘the right kind of energy’, Alistair believes there’s been a marked difference in the agency’s growth since it moved to the premises just over a year ago, as evident from the sparkling awards from 2011 scattered around the agency and the fact that the team is now 100-odd people strong. Alistair says that the manor house, its lawns and the old washuis, where the first Jersey cows in South Africa were milked (the agency has a book describing how this was done) and that today houses the agency’s café, all have a dignity about them. ‘We were immediately attracted to it because it’s strong and substantial, and I guess that’s what we strive to be as a company,’ he says. The innate dignity of the property comes from its deep historical roots, made tangible by the 250-year-old fig tree rooted in the front lawn. With history come great stories, which anyone in advertising is tuned in to.
DESIGN
X
Above left and inset The boardroom at King James Group; tongue-in-cheek pen holders in the shape of a sharpener rest on a boardroom table that doubles as a ‘notepad’. Above The agency’s signature purple accents many of its office areas, such as this communal chill pod. Above right and inset The café is located in the repurposed old washuisie; several industry awards adorn the reception desk.
Built in the 1870s, Roodebloem Manor was the home of the Van der Byl family. Fast forward a few decades to when the property was bought by Charles Boyd and converted to the swanky Lord Milner Hotel, named after the governor of Cape Town, who used to frequent the hotel with his ‘companions’. ‘We often wonder what conversations and mischief have taken place between these walls – and we’ll do our best to contribute to that,’ Alistair says, playfully. With touches of the company’s statement colour, regal purple, accenting many of the communal rooms and office nodes, as well as some interesting light features, one thing that you can’t help but notice is the bare walls, save for a few pieces in the front reception area. When the agency moved into the premises it became incredibly busy with clients and so the team decided to do the space up room by room as opposed to doing it all in one fell swoop, specifically, the main communal areas, such as the boardrooms, agency bar and front lounge, whose look and feel was coordinated by
James’ sister, Caroline Drummond-Hay, an interior stylist. In addition to sourcing the furniture and decor pieces, Caroline consulted with Upstart Ventures about specialist office furniture. The result is rooms that are wonderfully warm, with interesting features and some unique pieces, such as the massive glass boardroom table that can be written on and washes off easily. The slow but steady process makes you believe in the virtue of patience. ‘For a company that looks after brand’s identities, we’re notoriously bad at looking after our own. We tend to let our brand evolve as people come and go. We also didn’t have the luxury of time to plan our space before we moved in, so we have started slowly, literally room by room. We made two decisions. The first was to be respectful of the building and not turn it into anything too flashy. The second decision was not to fill it with art that has no meaning to us personally’. An ongoing project of the agency’s is based on its Remember Book, a collection of the agency’s memories that was compiled four years ago. The
project continues with the work produced by the creatives in the form of sketches, storyboards, concept animations and the like, currently being primed for placement on the walls and, in some instances, on desks and other surfaces. ‘We’re very big on memories,’ says Alistair. ‘We’ve decided that everything adorning the walls must come from our staff or be part of our history. We want to be surrounded by the things that define us and have made us who we are.’ With history playing such an integral part in the agency’s culture, it is no wonder that Alistair says ‘the stars were aligned’ when the team got the news that the property was up for sale. Reclining in his chair, he recalls, ‘The first time I walked into the building, I pointed at this space and said “That will be my office!” The man sitting in it at the time, probably one of our auditing firm’s partners, just looked at me as if to say, “Keep dreaming, stranger.”’ Alistair did just that, and now adorning his office door is a golden plaque that reads: ‘His Lordship.’ +27 (0)21 469 1500, kingjames.co.za
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DESIGN
WHERE
PROMISES A
Promise Brand Specialists of Parktown North in Jozi keeps its promises, not only to its clients, but also to itself, as its premises reflect
key ingredient in creative professionals’ recipe for success is passion. When that wanes or is lost completely, it can be tragic. In some instances, however, as Marc Watson and James Moffatt, executive creative director and managing director, respectively, of Promise Brand Specialists, discovered, it can also be the motivating force to take the plunge and improve on the recipe. ‘James and I got to a point where we were unhappy in our careers, and being in a creative industry it’s so important to love what you do – in our opinion, more so than in any other industry. We felt a strong need to be able to steer our own course and be a part of something that has meaning for us. It was for those reasons that Promise began to take shape in our minds,’ says Marc. The starting point for Marc and James was to uncover the core values that they believed creative brand communications was about, and for them that meant trust, and keeping promises, promises that they as creatives make to clients and those that clients make to their consumers – a circle of trust formulated, respected and constantly encouraged between all three parties. ‘In the early stages of defining the kind of agency we wanted, we had a few inexperienced clients who had never been serviced creatively before. In helping them understand the process, we would discuss how the most important thing a brand communicates to a consumer is its promise – the thing that you should consistently expect from that brand,’ says Marc. The name ‘Promise Brand Specialists’ emerged from this idea and today it also serve as a reminder of their great ambition: to keep the promises
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they’ve made to themselves and ‘to create amazing things and maintain our love and respect for creativity’, says Marc. Fate obviously appreciated this honourable code that Marc and James had set for themselves. Marc recalls standing in a queue at the bank, which looked onto the hip and happening Workshop development in Parktown North, a commercial node bursting with creative businesses, and telling James that that was the perfect location for their offices. Lo and behold, a couple of months later, they moved all their equipment from their dinning room table and were sitting in their new space, ‘a broom closet’, as Marc describes it. ‘We quickly grew out of that tiny premises and moved three times within the Workshop before finding ourselves in the space we are in today,’ he says. They enlisted the help of JP Beukes, interior architect at One Point Zero, to translate their ambition into their work environment. JP had worked on the venue for the previous tenant, and Marc and James believed that his understanding of the space was imperative to its transformation. The team wanted to retain the existing open-plan studio feel of the space, to encourage the sharing of knowledge, encourage everyone to get involved in adding value to their jobs, and to have people inspire one another. ‘Most agencies contain a lot of different departments – client service, strategy, etc. We hate departments! They often have walls that separate them, in the figurative and literal sense of the word. At Promise we try to facilitate the free flow of ideas and conversation,’ says Marc. This fluidity of ideas and creative contributions by staff members has been executed in the form of a 30m-long raw wood table that curves snake-like
throughout the space. Everyone sits at this table at his or her individual workspace. Something else that Marc and James wanted the space to be was a refuge for their clients. Marc says, ‘I told JP that when our clients visited we wanted to make them feel like part of the studio and involved in the process of steering their brands. Part of our ethos is getting our clients actively involved at the relevant stages of the creative process. This has been successful in business terms as well, in that from time to time our clients will work out of our office when they need an escape from their own. It’s a good feeling, knowing that we’ve created a welcoming, happy place where we get a little work done too!’ The result of all the thought that has gone into the space to have it tie in with the group’s values is a remarkably chic and contemporary industrial space that’s warm and loaded with personality. ‘In an industry where we try so hard to distil ideas into their purest form, it was crucial that we approach our space in the same way,’ Marc explains. ‘It’s important that the most relevant and functional parts of the space come forward and everything that is superfluous recedes. The central work areas are finished in light raw woods, with the eye-popping yellow bulkhead above being the focal point and drawing your attention to the most relevant part of the space.’ Although Promise Brand Specialists is a small-to-medium size agency, we’re sure that by remaining dedicated to its staunch vision, it will in no time probably have to move again, to bigger premises, where more promises will be made, and more importantly, will be kept with +27 (0)11 442 2612, unwavering passion. promisebrand.co.za
Clockwise from top left A communal desk helps break down departmental barriers and lets the creativity flow; a comfy, quiet alcove overlooks Parktown; a chill lounge flanks the workspace; a designer Smeg fridge is right at home in Promise Brand Specialist’s modern office; a bonsai tree enhances the tranquillity of this office space.
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Photographs Roeland Smith
DESIGN
DESIGN
TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap
A new agency in Muizenberg, Cape Town, is filling a gaping hole in the local advertising industry – accessibility and skills development
Top right OFyt has the head lease on the well-known Old Post Office building in Muizenberg, where old industry hands nurture talented creatives from various backgrounds. Centre The colourful interiors of OFyt’s office space strikes a balance between the need for industriousness and the need for relaxation.
A
dvertising is an interesting beast. Not only is it a global, multi-billion-dollar industry, but also, out of all the multibillion-anything industries, it is the one where creative capital is the most treasured commodity. As with any money-spinning industry, accessibility is dependent on high- level skill sets. And we in South Africa are all too familiar with the story of such skill sets being a historically exclusive domain, particularly in a creative and specialised field such as advertising. The founders of OFyt, Gary Leih, Jono Shubitz and Paul Newman, stalwarts of SA’s advertising industry, recognise this. ‘We don’t believe it’s possible for anyone to live in South Africa and be in business here and yet be immune to the serious debates and conflicts that bubble and occasionally rage around inequality, transformation and discrimination. Unless you’re an ostrich, perhaps. We believe that action is needed now, in every way,’ says Gary. The name OFyt stands for ‘Old Friends Young Talent’, which reflects the agency’s business model, namely, to encourage and nurture young talent through the expertise that each of the founders and friends has gained during their
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extensive careers in advertising. Gary is the former CEO of Ogilvy Group UK and an Ogilvy Worldwide board director. Jono is a former Creative Directors’ Forum chairman and Loeries Awards judge. Paul Newman is a former banker turned airline industry marketer. ‘Our operational model is to gather together passionate young talent, which is predominately, but not exclusively, historically disadvantaged, and put it together with experienced old hands – ourselves,’ says Jono. ‘What we’re doing at OFyt may seem like a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but we believe that every step is a worthwhile step. This step will help build experience and momentum in our industry for those who have not had easy access to the industry until now.’ In addition to the three old friends, OFyt comprises 10 permanent staff members and 8 young graduates in the fields of marketing, graphic design and other industry-related fields. Their backgrounds and contexts differ vastly. Some of them are from Gugulethu, some are from Langa and others are from the Southern Suburbs and other areas around Cape Town. There are even staff members from Port Elizabeth. The common thread is the desire to learn, to
experience and to whip out some fresh, original and indigenous work, says Gary. Paul adds, ‘Our young team members are tasked with more than just creating locally relevant work. They also gather intelligence and insights where they live – in townships, the city and the suburbs. In this way they are both a creative resource and an insight factory for our clients.’ Another ‘old friend’ is the premises. OFyt occupies the ground floor of Muizenberg’s Old Post Office building, built in 1932. The ‘young talent’ in this sense is the warm and trendy open-plan interior of dark wood, interesting and colourful wall treatments and red-brick. The extended balcony overlooks Muizenberg beach and a row of surfboards stands waxed and ready should anyone at OFyt wish to hit the waves. Muizenberg is an appropriate place for a fledgling and unique agency: quite off the radar, scenic and, says Gary, ripe with potential. ‘When one looks at trends in urban redevelopment all over the world, including the Woodstock example of the Biscuit Mill precinct redevelopment, when the advertising and design industries move in, things really start to happen.’ +27 (0)21 709 0290, ofcomms.com
ON SHOW
Stately living
This Melrose home combines old-world classic features with a modern lifestyle Words Nicky Manson Photographs Nic Baleta
thepropertymag.co.za | 39
ON SHOW
Handles Inc. Hyde Park, +27 (0)11 325 2555
Above right Handles Inc., the exclusive supplier of Mandelli door handles (pictured), is the agent for several of the top European door handle manufacturers. There are four Handles Inc. stores, each one selling over 6 000 products for a most pleasant experience. Opposite, top With 25 years of experience in creating the original quartz surface, Caesarstone continues to lead the way with innovative designs, colours and textures showcased in their cutting-edge collections. The Classico, Supremo, Motivo and Concetto collections have inspired countless designer homes and have also featured in hotel revamps and property developments throughout South Africa. This home features one of the popular Classico whites. To create a similar look, try White Shimmer, Pure White, Snow White or even Organic White.
M
elrose is an area in Joburg that courts history alongside culture. Its beautifully kept roads are protected by rows of trees and a canopy of foliage hides a multitude of grand mansions and designer homes, including this one. A grand entrance greets you as you drive up to the home and you would be forgiven for thinking you were walking through the doors of a hotel. Two tall pillars guard the double-volume entrance and its noteworthy front door; a geometric design of wood and glass allows you a glimpse of what lies yonder. Sue Cunningham, the owner of this impressive family home, worked closely with Gus da Silva of Gus da Silva Architects. She says, ‘The brief was to design a home with a classical exterior and a contemporary yet homely interior and we are happy to say that the end result surpassed our original expectations. In order to achieve this, Gus was more than willing to meet with us on numerous occasions to fine-tune the original concept.’ Nicole Murphy from Ennik Estates, the exclusive Gauteng affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, was the agent behind the sale and admits her favourite feature of the house is the double-volume foyer. ‘It’s magnificently showcased with custom
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lighting, porcelain tiles and an exquisite contemporary staircase.’ Sharon Nicolaci of Spegash Interiors agrees and believes the architect certainly achieved what he set out to design. The foyer is certainly impressive, thanks to the double-volume ceilings, which continue throughout the house, creating a large, open and airy space. A number of carefully placed windows allow the natural light to shine through and invite the picturesque views in, to uplifting effect. A delicate light installation reminiscent of fairy lights hangs centre stage. Designed by Serita Sharman Lighting, Sharon chose it to complement the space. There is a definitive mix of styles in this home, a combination of classic and modern elements that can be seen in the architecture and in the decor and fittings. The stairway in the entrance is a masterpiece feature in its own right. Classical pillars sit alongside wooden railings that are accentuated by metal balustrades created by Steel Studio International. Gus reveals that the Cunningham family liked this more classical architecture but wanted to include modern overtones, such as open-plan, relaxed living. He says, ‘The design is therefore classical: columns, corbelling to the roof eaves, symmetry to the planning and careful placements of sash windows in the public facade facing the driveway, but modern as you move
further into the private spaces of the home, which are open to allow free movement between spaces. Double French doors and large window areas bring the outside in.’ ‘Open-plan’ is the keyword: each room moves seamlessly into the other. Even the main hallway dividing the home is an expansive space of its own. Not only does this elegant hallway provide passageway through the house, but it also acts as a gallery for the owner’s art collection. Sue’s beautiful kitchen surpassed expectations and is one of her favourite rooms of the house. ‘For our family, the heart of the home has to be the openplan kitchen and family room.This is where everyone congregates to catch up with each other and chill at the end of each day.’ The kitchen is a cook’s dream, a gorgeous combination of glossy white cabinets and wooden panels, light yet rich in texture. Subtle inset lights add to the well-lit space. Old-fashioned white shuttered sliding doors open out to a swimming pool and gorgeous landscaped gardens. There’s also an indoor grill for cooking in all weather conditions. Upstairs, the mix of modern and classic continues. The bedrooms are a warm and inviting mix of pale colours and various textures. The main suite exudes comfort, offering various chairs and sofas for quiet contemplation. Wallpaper is used throughout the
ON SHOW
International Slab, +27 (0)83 608 5810
home.We love the sylvan wallpaper in the living room. The fairly neutral colour palette of brown, cream and grey filters through the house while small accents of colour are introduced into the lavish upholstery, cushions and carpets. Sharon wanted to create an environment that exuded serenity and calm, as well as being a good reflection of the home’s architecture and the owners themselves. There’s an abundance of dramatic features in the house, such as the extensive ceiling cornices on the walls inside and out. Recessed walls are another common element. Outside, there is one long continuous balcony with a metal handrail. The terracotta roof tiles are a gorgeous contrast to the white facade. Metal gutters and cornices provide the industrial-strength icing on the cake. Down below is the impressive pool area set in a delicately manicured garden. ‘We designed and built the rim-flow pool ourselves, to enhance and complement the outdoor living areas. It optimises and enhances the patio space even more by being on the same level. The shell was epoxy painted in the azure blue, which gives it a very inviting feel.Together with the constant sound of water cascading over the sides of the rim flow creates a wonderfully calming experience,’ says Sue. Outdoor living and entertainment were important to Sue and the areas created specifically for this purpose are her fave features.‘Coming to South Africa from England and Ireland, our dream was to create a mix of indoor and outdoor living. We achieved this by ensuring that each indoor living area has easy access to the pool, garden, fountains and outdoor entertainment areas.’
Professionals List Ennik Estates – Estate Agents +27 (0)82 625 3189, info@ennikestates.co.za, ennikestates.co.za Gus da Silva Architects – Architect +27 (0)83 943 2675, gusdasilva@mweb.co.za Handles Inc. Hyde Park – Door Handles +27 (0)11 325 2555, jhb@handlesinc.co.za, handlesinc.co.za International Slab – Caesarstone Quartz Surfaces +27 (0)83 608 5810, info@interslab.co.za, caesarstone.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 41
Living In
Melrose is the place
Melrose brings exclusive, sophisticated living and retail therapy to the streets of Johannesburg Words Tammy Sutherns Photographs Supplied
Fine features Coffee shops, stores and restaurants nestle in the tree-fringed streets of Melrose along with a feast of facilities for residents. Schools include Pridwin Preparatory School, Kingsmead College and St Vincent School for the Deaf. These are tucked away in the suburbs around Melrose Arch. The cobbled streets of Melrose Arch provide the residents of Melrose with easy access to boutique stores, spas and a range of restaurants where diners have the choice of everything from Thai cuisine to Italian flavours to be enjoyed in this romantic setting. High-end shopping can also be enjoyed at the Thrupps centre in nearby Illovo, while the Zone @ Rosebank is popular among youngsters and has all the stores necessary for daily shopping. Residents can also spend their leisure time at the golf courses in Killarney and Houghton or take lazy afternoon strolls in the suburb’s many parks.
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Living In
Making a home Ethne Lipschitz and Estelle Taitz from Century 21 Richter and Lucy Jacobson from Seeff Properties tell us why Melrose is so magnificent
Q Why would you encourage people to buy in Melrose?
M
elrose, a part of Johannesburg’s thriving Sandton node, includes the beautiful and exclusive Melrose Arch mixed-use development, as well as Melrose, Melrose Estate and Melrose North, residential suburbs that are both upmarket and pristine. According to real estate agent Ethne Lipschitz of Century 21 Richter, ‘In 1902 the name of the suburb was derived from that of the estate laid out
by Henry Brown Marshall before the Jameson Raid and comes from the Gaelic words meaning “bear hill” and “wood”. Parks in the area were declared bird sanctuaries by the city council in 1959.’ With thanks to … Century 21 Richter, + 27 (0)11 447 1747, century21.co.za Seeff Properties, +27 (0)11 784 1222, seeff.com
ET: We would encourage people to invest in Melrose because it is surrounded by the best private schools in the country and is in close proximity to exclusive shopping malls and the cultural hub of Rosebank. Residents have easy access to highways and central business districts. The Gautrain has also added value to the suburb. Many residents bought their first homes in the area, such as an apartment or townhouse, and over the years upscaled to cluster homes and larger freehold homes, only to scale down as empty-nesters to clusters once again. Melrose becomes their lifelong suburb of choice. EL: The magnificent houses and clusters, the many open parks and the wide streets (ideal for morning walkers and mothers walking with prams) are just some of the reasons that make it a great place to live. The Melrose Ratepayers Association is exceptionally involved and vigilant and focuses its efforts on security. Because many residents’ children attend private schools here, it is a friendly community, resulting in additional security.
Q Are property values rising?
LJ: Yes, but it appears to be stable at present due to current market conditions. The validity of any market assessment is limited by changes to the economy and the property industry, and should be reassessed regularly.
Q What’s on the market?
ET: Upmarket and well-maintained freehold homes, clusters in relatively small complexes, townhouses and apartments. The typical home is a ‘Melrose Acre’, measuring 2 974m2, homes on subdivisions measuring from 1 200m2, with prices ranging from about R4,5 million to R10 million. Cluster erf sizes range on average from about 400m2 to 600m2, with prices ranging from about R3 million to R9 million. Townhouses have an average erf size of about 200m2, with prices ranging from about R1,6 million to R4 million. Apartments are about 100m2, with prices ranging from around R800 000 to the early R3 millions.
Cosy stays Guests to the Melrose area are spoilt for choice. Providing accommodation are penthouses and apartments, boutique hotels, such as the Peech Hotel, and larger hotels, such as the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel and Protea Hotel Fire & Ice Melrose Arch. With easy access to the M1 and Corlett Drive, visitors can explore the rest of Johannesburg and its attractions. The Johannesburg Zoo and the military museum are less than 10 minutes away and the CBD is about 15 minutes away. Sports fans can visit the Wanderers Club for cricket matches, just around the corner from Melrose. Sandton City is a short drive away for entertainment and shopping while the neighbouring suburb of Norwood offers street boutiques and cafés. On Sundays the nearby Mall of Rosebank offers trendy spenders a Rooftop Market. Wildlife lovers will appreciate the more than 120 wild bird species in the Melrose Bird Sanctuary.
Q: Where is Melrose headed?
EL: It will always maintain its suburban purpose, but outskirts such as Oxford Road have been earmarked for economic and urban growth. This will attract many new up- and-coming young residents, adding great value, as they are most likely to upscale into homes in the area. Commercial development in Melrose will result in young executives needing new homes in close proximity to work.
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DESIGN PROFILE
A IS
This page View of the Park Station Gautrain access link.
of excellence The Creative Axis puts a new spin on architecture, as its expansive portfolio of public works shows Words Tammy Sutherns Profile photographs Michael Glenister Project photographs courtesy of The Creative Axis
L
ooking at some of the marvellous structures that the Creative Axis has designed, it is difficult for me to imagine the architectural company’s humble beginnings in Lenasia, Johannesburg South, when it had just one director and a couple of staff members. But the core mission of the company has resulted in a bursting portfolio. For example, the Civitas Building in Pretoria, which houses the National Department of Health, has been converted by the Creative Axis to a veritable tourist attraction with an impressive, slick glass facade. The firm’s work on the Innovation Hub in Pretoria portrays its founding principles of innovation and sustainability, while its Parks Station project shows how creativity and passion can be made to meet functional design.
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For Anil Parshotam and Bhavik Ranchod, architecture is weaved into the very fabric of their identities. Anil studied civil engineering at Wits University but realised very quickly that it wasn’t for him. He went to work for an architect for a year and then returned to university to complete a degree, which forged his path in the industry and eventually landed him the position of director at the Creative Axis (previously branded Naren Mistry Architects). He worked on projects throughout his degree and after his graduation, learning as much as possible about the industry. Bhavik, who was recently made partner at the Creative Axis, always knew that he wanted to be an architect, having been passionate about graphic design, art and buildings when he was a child. He says, ‘Architecture is art and engineering combined. I joined the Creative Axis four years ago
and never looked back.’ Both men have overseas work experience that provided different dimensions to their field. Anil worked in Australia for three years and recommends it for any young architect: ‘In Australia I worked on fairly large projects and everything that I learnt there, I was able to apply here. It changed my perception.’ The Creative Axis makes sure to keep abreast with technological advances in the field of architecture. Bhavik says, ‘When I started studying, we used hand drawings and we were still trained to hand draw. But as time went on, we got onto computers with 3D modelling. Technology now plays a big part in making the client understand the design.’ Today, thanks to Building Information Modelling, 3D software and computers, they are able to model a building in full and see every aspect of it, says Anil. ‘It gives the
DESIGN profile
This page, clockwise from top left Enterprise Building entrance from the public square at the Innovation Hub; glazing detail at the Innovation Hub; Anil Parshotam, director at The Creative Axis; suspended gatehouse structure at the Innovation Hub; interior view of the foyer at the Civitas Building; view of the exterior glazing facade at the Civitas Building.
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DESIGN Profile
Top right Bhavik Ranchod, partner at The Creative Axis. Left, above centre and bottom right Atrium glazing at 88 Grayston Drive; entrance foyer at 88 Grayston Drive. Below left, top to bottom View of the main facade at 88 Grayston Drive; view of the Park Station Gautrain access link; interior view of the new Park Station north concourse that is currently under construction.
architect an opportunity to spend more time detailing the building, which will give you a better product.’ Anil adds that client communications have improved considerably now that clients can properly visualise the end product. The new technology also allows the architects to see how a building will respond to its environment and gives them greater opportunity to improve the building’s sustainability. Although ‘green building’ is a buzzword in the industry at the moment, it has always been a core and founding principle of the Creative Axis. Bhavik says, ‘The principles of architecture from way back are based on what you build around your environment and on making sure that your building is adapted to the environment. At the Creative Axis, when we start designing a building, we consider those principles.’ Anil adds that technology allows architects access to research that shows the benefits of sustainable building, such as reduced water consumption. Anil says, ‘Sustainability is very important, both in terms of the longevity of the building and the long-term maintenance costs and operational costs. It’s great to design fantastic buildings, but, essentially, when you walk away from the building, you need to look at how the materials perform, how durable the materials are and the operating costs.’ Pretoria’s Innovation Hub, Africa’s first internationally accredited science park, shows just what the Creative Axis team is capable of. Created in a joint venture with M-Architects, the Innovation Hub contributes to the economy through the commercialisation of technology and development of technological capacity, entrepreneurial ability and intellectual capital. The design of the Innovation Hub building includes basement parking for 420 vehicles, the Innovation Centre and multi-tenant buildings separated by a large open piazza for gatherings and
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outdoor conferencing. Anil says, ‘It was about making an iconic tourist attraction, to a certain extent, where people could look up to the skyline and see a building that was different from all of the others.’ The building is spacious and high-tech in its design, with red face-brick, glass and aluminium balustrades and steel staircases. No challenge is too big for the Creative Axis family, who now have offices across South Africa and are expanding into the rest of Africa as well as to Brazil. Anil says, ‘I don’t see any request as strange; I take it as a challenge. It is part of an architect’s responsibility to be daring.’ One of the company’s most challenging projects was the upgrade of Loftus Versfeld Stadium, originally designed in the 1970s, to make it Fifa compliant. Anil says, ‘We were trying to build in areas where spectators were using the building and we were trying to work with a minimum budget. What was also quite a challenge was trying to work on a stadium that is landlocked by a very dense city fabric. We were able to pull that off successfully.’ It is these challenges that keep Anil on the edge of his architectural seat and ready to dive into the next project. He says, ‘What excites me is being able to design a building and explore challenging ways of putting something together. There is always a new solution. Looking at that solution, working it into the building and then building it and then going back to the building three years later and seeing how people are using the space and how the building has responded to the users is a process that we follow.’ For Bhavik, it’s his personal sense of accomplishment that gets him out of bed in the morning. He says, ‘It’s the feedback that you get from clients, when you’re in tune with what they want and you give them something better. It gives you that edge.’ +27 (0)11 854 5922, creativeaxis.co.za
R O IT rsch ED e T eH ES nn U ie G Adr
Real estate
residential & commercial
The Rule of Three After 21 years in real estate, there’s one question I’m asked constantly: how’s the market?
Main image 123rf.com Portrait photograph Supplied
A
sk the sellers who priced their properties correctly, chose the right agent and took all the essential measures to make sure their homes were attractive to buyers, and they’ll join me in my response: the market’s good! This doesn’t only have to do with the banks’ releasing their tight grip on bonds. I believe the market will continue to improve if we internalise just three monosyllables: know your worth. It’s a simple creed, but a profound one, and it applies to agents, sellers and buyers, equally. Agents need to understand the value they add so that they don’t compromise their worth. Sellers need to understand the value of their property and maximise its strongest features. And buyers need to feel that they’ve landed their dream home at a fair price. All three are achievable. Collectively, they are my definition of success in this exciting and ever- evolving industry. Most people ask about the market because they’re trying to gauge whether their property will sell. How soon will it sell? Will it sell at the right price? What is the right price? You’ll be glad to know that the banks and the economy don’t have all the control in property sales today. Much depends on the seller’s
approach. One of the biggest mistakes many sellers make is overpricing the property. Overpriced homes will sit on the market for far too long, will not be attractive to buyers and will cause the seller a lot of angst. Eventually, the seller will have to reduce the price, which will often be much lower than the price it would have been had the home been priced correctly from the start. If sellers understand the value of their home and are proactive in optimising its strengths, the property will sell. Quickly. Selling a home successfully means giving the right agent the right mandate at the right time. I realise it’s not that simple. Selling one’s home is, for the vast majority of homeowners, a highly emotional decision. Both psychologically and financially, we invest an enormous amount in our homes. Hearing that the price you want is neither reasonable nor possible can be disheartening. A good agent will remain abreast of all new trends and changes in the industry (such as current bank criteria), educate and support the seller, strive for the right price and keep clients informed about how they can get involved. While the right price may depend on factors beyond everyone’s control, there is one important process in which the seller should be fully engaged:
dressing a home for sale. As a woman in real estate, I’ve learned that dressing for success doesn’t just apply to my wardrobe. Here are my two top tips. One is in direct accordance with my wardrobe rules, and the other is … not. First, the finer details go an awfully long way to creating a powerful first impression. Second, leave very little to the imagination. In other words, don’t force potential buyers to imagine what the house would look like if the pool were blue and clear or the garden green and tidy. As real estate professionals, nothing we do is a perfect science. If it were, most of us wouldn’t do it as well or love it as much. But there are certain patterns that seem to emerge every time, no matter the state of the market or the size of the property. In over two decades in this business, I’ve learned that there is a recipe for everyone walking away happy, and it works in threes: sellers, buyers and agents need to internalise the value that each of them adds to a successful sale.
Adrienne Hersch, CEO Adrienne Hersch Properties
thepropertymag.co.za | 47
Residential Real Estate
Your Move Sandy Geffen, Executive Director of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, says a home, regardless of its heritage or price range, should reflect the incalculable value of the life within A home is so much more than a shelter – it is both your sanctuary and your glittering castle, and it reflects who you really are, who and what you love, and how you choose to live. It needs to be a place of peace, joy and laughter for the whole family, and certain features can help to enhance that feeling, depending very much on
Crystal-clear future
your personal preferences.
Situated 30km east of downtown Johannesburg and just north of Benoni is the serene
For example, a special room that is soundproofed
Clearwater Estate. This 80ha development offers the future in estate living, with beautiful
and furnished with comfort in mind might be
surroundings, exclusive homes and an abundance of amenities and activities. Clearwater
just the thing for a family that is mad about TV,
Estate blends the boundaries of home, office, work and leisure into a safe environment with
movies or music. For others, the pool might
24-hour security. Phase 1 is complete and comprises 200 housing units, 100 apartments
be the focus of family fun as well as exercise
and 50 clusters. Phase 2 includes an additional 521 fully serviced residential stands and
and so should not be shut away from view but
450 clusters. ‘The capacity of the estate is about 4 000 residents in free-standing homes,
surrounded with an unbreakable glass fence,
apartments and clusters,’ says Jordan Mann, director of Clearwater Estate’s developer, Krisp
beautiful plants and palm trees.
Properties. ‘We live in a stressful world, and our vision for Clearwater Estate was to provide
Many homeowners prefer to make their garden
a micro environment that is aesthetically pleasing, secure and convenient and that promotes
an oasis of peace and tranquillity, in which case
stress-free living.’ In addition to offering a wide variety of homes, the estate also features a
nothing could be better than the sounds of water
lifestyle centre with restaurant, fully-equipped gym, Olympic pool, tennis courts and squash
splashing gently from a fountain in a special area,
courts. The 7 000m2 office park is 90% let and Krisp is busy developing more office space
the wind sighing through swaying trees and birds
on the property. An ultramodern boutique hotel with a 700-seat conference facility is in the
happily chattering as they visit some carefully
pipeline too. +27 (0)11 789 3334, clearwater-estate.co.za
placed bird-feeders. Glass sliding doors and large window-scapes will also let nature into your home and enchant you with a garden view from every room, whilst huge skylights will not only allow in natural light, but will also afford you the pleasure of gazing dreamily at the moon and the stars. Of course, children will often have a different view of what makes the ideal home, but a great start is a special play area, carefully planned with all requirements tucked into see-through containers or cleverly designed shelving and drawers. Round off this space with protective floor mats, a mini library and the children’s own TV and DVD player. Older children and teenagers will appreciate their own chill space where they can hang out with friends, play their own music and work on their computers or iPads while their parents enjoy their Depending on how you prefer to entertain, you may want to create a gorgeous formal dining
Racy Rosebank
room or opt for a more relaxed patio or veranda
With the extensive redevelopment taking place there in the past several years and the installation
where you can also enjoy a glass of wine at the
of a Gautrain station, Rosebank is fast becoming the city’s second-largest business hub in the
end of a busy day and revel in the peace, harmony
north and is attracting young professionals to the area. Rosebank is now teeming with new
and laughter you have woven into your own
entertainment, retail, business and leisure developments, including the 158-room Holiday Inn
unique lifestyle.
hotel, The Zone Phase 2, Standard Bank’s new head office, Oxford Corner, The Rose, and Circa
Memories, relationships, treasured possessions –
on Jellicoe. There are also refurbishment plans for the Mall of Rosebank. Rosebank is also
homes are havens for the things that matter most,
experiencing a demand for quality residential living. Located just 1km away from the Rosebank
and you’ll know you’ve got it right if, when you
CBD, on the corner of Oxford Road and 11th Avenue, Ipanema is a new residential apartment
sell, you want the next property you buy to be just
development from Barrow Properties and Vunani Properties. Featuring one- and two-bedroom
the same.
apartments and two-bedroom penthouses with rooftop terraces, Ipanema is primarily targeted at young professionals and young families. It offers concierge services, an on-site gym, laundry services, a communal pool and outdoor entertainment area, secure basement-level parking,
Till next time,
24- hour manned security and CCTV surveillance. The first homeowners in Ipanema are scheduled
Sandy
to take occupation in August this year. +27 (0)11 727 3600, barrow.co.za
48 | March 2012
Words Candace King
own privacy and spend quality time together.
COMMERCIAL Real Estate
Falling for the environment Atterbury Property and Pick n Pay are co-developing a flagship green Pick n Pay store in Little Falls, Roodepoort. The R160-million, 10 000m2 store will include a restaurant, liquor store, wine boutique and cheese room and will stock more imported lines than any other Pick n Pay as well as specialist ranges unique to the retailer’s flagship stores. The Falls Pick n Pay is being developed along ecologically sustainable lines. Recycled materials are being used in the construction of the building, which will be finished in glass, steel and stone. Daylight harvesting, rainwater harvesting, water-wise landscaping, grey-water irrigation and efficient lighting will form part of the store’s daily operations. The developers are also investing R10 million in the upgrade of the surrounding roads. The store is scheduled to open in time for the festive season. The Falls Pick n Pay is only the first phase of this development, which has the potential for an additional 10 000m2 of retail space and 15 000m2 of office space. +27 (0)11 706 1176, atterbury.co.za
Riveting refurb The revamp of Grayston Shopping Centre is set to bring more convenient shopping and dining opportunities to those who live and work nearby. Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services says, ‘We are maximising the centre’s benefits: prime location, proven trading record, comprehensive tenant mix and enviable shopper market.’ The Tiber Group, which owns the centre, is responsible for the three-phase project. Phase 1, completed in March, saw the centre being extended to 4 500m2 and Woolworths, the anchor tenant, being moved to a new 1 160m2 store. Phase 2 will end in June and Phase 3 will be complete by the end of the year. The refreshed centre will have 23 shops. ‘A few opportunities still exist in the new health and beauty node being created on the upper level of the centre. It is the ideal location for specialist retailers to reach this valuable market in a centre that has an established, strong trading record,’ says Gavin. +27 (0)11 807 6995, rns.co.za
Plumb in line with business needs Owned and developed by JT Ross, Plumbago Business Park on the East Rand caters for logistics, freight forwarding and light industrial operations. To date, Jonsson Workwear, Blue Sky Logistics and John Deere have elected to relocate their national distribution centres to Plumbago Business Park and their facilities should be ready for occupation during the third quarter of 2012. The park has a modern gatehouse that is designed to accommodate large commercial vehicles and also houses a security control room. Various sized sites with guaranteed power supply are being developed at Plumbago Business Park. Ranging from 1 500m2 to 25 000m2, these sites can be consolidated or subdivided to allow for purpose-built premises to suit tenants’ individual requirements. +27 (0)31 372 9700, jtross.co.za
Keep on growing Growthpoint Properties has purchased the remaining undivided share of 64% of Alberton City Shopping Centre from Liberty Group for R418 million. The 48 000m2 centre includes 130 stores, and thanks to its anchor tenants, Game, Checkers, Clicks and Edgars, it has been a family favourite for years. Liberty Properties CEO Samuel Ogbu says the decision to sell its stake in the shopping centre was based on Liberty’s drive to ensure continued inflation-beating returns for its policyholders. Stephan le Roux, director of Growthpoint Properties’ retail division, says Alberton City Shopping Centre is a good fit for Growthpoint's retail property portfolio as it has increased its investment in retail in the Johannesburg area. The deal will be effective upon approval by the Competition Commission and the fulfilment of contractual obligations by both parties. +27 (0)11 944 6000, growthpoint.co.za
The market is in a comfortable upswing and we are looking forward to a positive 2012 – Adrienne Hersch, CEO Adrienne Hersch Properties
thepropertymag.co.za | 49
Africa
investment, real estate, news & leisure
Magic in Marrakech
1
The five-star Palais Namaskar luxury hotel is a decor feast
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esigned by Paris- and Marrakesh-based architect, Imaad Rahmouni, the recently opened Palais Namaskar is a gorgeous hotel set on 5ha of land between Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and Djebilet Hills. Part of the Oetker Collection, Palais Namaskar comprises 41 exclusively designed villas and suites as well as a Pool Palace, Mountain Palace and Water Palace. It is set within fragrant, manicured, Balinese-style gardens, surrounded by lakes.
3 The hotel is contemporary oriental in its look, with feng shui principles woven into the interior design. Complementing the decor are bespoke, handmade light fixtures by luxury lighting design company, Andromeda Murano. The Italian company’s aim was to create a magical place with reinterpreted modern taste and sensitivity and a unique mix of exquisite tradition and oriental fusions. The overall effect is simply breathtaking.
4 Some of the rooms offer terraces, while others feature Jacuzzis and heated pools. There is also a spa offering guests pampering in the most elegant setting. Dining options include a restaurant, tea lounge and a bar. Surrounded by golf courses, shopping centres and cultural hotspots, Palais Namaskar is only 30 minutes away from Marrakech-Menara Airport. +39 041 736 674, andromedamurano.it; +212 (0)5 24 29 98 00, palaisnamaskar.com
The main swimming pool at Palais Namaskar. 2–3Water features and lakes in the
1
hotel’s gardens. 4Handmade Murano chandeliers by Andromeda adorn the public
Visit thepropertymag.co.za for more business
spaces of the hotel. Imaad Rahmouni was responsible for the hotel’s design.
and leisure news from Africa.
50 | May/June 2012
Words Tammy Sutherns Photographs Supplied
2
africa
Protea Hotel Lusaka
Protea flourishing in Africa
Protea Hospitality Group will be driving US$130 million (about R1 billion) into Africa with the construction of 11 new hotels. The expansion, one of the biggest in Africa by a hotel group, will bring to nine the number of African countries where Protea has hotels. The first hotel will be built in Nigeria. Plans for hotels in Uganda and Zambia are in the pipeline. Protea Hospitality Group CEO Arthur Gillis says, ‘As political stability and business opportunities increase, they create a greater need for the hotels.’ He adds that certain African countries are setting global economic trends in terms of hospitality and that the change of traditional trading partners has resulted in growth for these countries. The new hotels in Nigeria will include Protea Hotel Ibadan, Protea Hotel Select Emotan, Protea Hotel Select Ikeja, African Pride Avalon Hotel and Spa and Protea Hotel Asaba. The new hotels in Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia are expected to create 1 000 new direct jobs in the hospitality industry in those countries. 0861 11 9000, proteahotels.com
It’s raining accolades The hospitality industry is booming across Africa, and big congratulations must go out to Rani Resorts, which won a host of awards at the World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean ceremony in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. Among the awards that the hospitality group scooped was one for the Leading Resort in Mozambique for its Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa, while Pemba Beach Hotel and Spa scored it the Leading Hotel in Mozambique Award. Rani Resorts’ Stanley and Livingstone at Victoria Falls earned it the Leading Hotel in Zimbabwe Award. And Matemo Island Resort in Mozambique, the jewel in the group’s crown of African hotels and resorts, was named the Leading Resort in Africa. +258 21 301 618, raniresorts.com
Pyramid dream The prospects for Cairo’s real estate market are looking up, according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s (JLL) Cairo Real Estate Overview. Ayman Sami, head of JLL’s Egypt office says, ‘If the
Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa
country is able to address its political issues, then we are confident that activity will return to the market relatively quickly, as demand exists across a number of sectors.’ The economic stability of the country is very much linked to the political situation and has had a negative impact on the tourism industry and new investment in Egypt, says Ayman. Despite this, JLL has noted potential improvement in the Cairo real estate market, where there is demand for between 5 000m2 and 15 000m2 of office space and retailers continue to open new stores. Ayman says, ‘Investment opportunities currently lie in the mid-market segment across various sectors.’ +2 02 25777 836, joneslanglasalle.com
Stanley and Livingstone at Victoria Falls
thepropertymag.co.za | 51
South Africa Wide-open
spaces
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve’s Explorer Camp offers a succulent outdoor Karoo experience
1
2
and other wildlife. The enchanting view extends for kilometres, and only the sound of the crickets chirruping in the grass is there to distract visitors from their game- viewing. Comprising 54 000ha of mountains, plains and indigenous flora and fauna, the reserve offers a feeling of total isolation, a place where historic rock faces and caves are decorated with San paintings, and a variety of birdlife guards the skies. The Explorer Camp is a tailor-made safari. The walking trails are chosen by guests, who are then assigned a qualified, armed guide. The trail walks can last up to four hours. There’s an optional game- viewing vehicle for specialist tracking needs,
Sanbona Explore Camp allows guests to get back to a simpler way of life amid the
allowing guests to travel further afield to explore other walking trails and see what game awaits them in different parts of the reserve. Guests select the spot on which to pitch camp. Accommodation comprises three mobile canvas tents kitted out with comfortable camping beds. Each tent sleeps two, has its own bathroom facilities and provides optimal privacy. Meals are enjoyed under the stars, and guests need simply relax, put their feet up, and take in the magnificent surroundings.The Explorer Camp operates +27 (0)41 509 3000, from October to April. sanbona.com
1–3
Visit thepropertymag.co.za to discover other
rugged natural splendour of the Karoo.
fantastic getaways in South Africa.
52 | May/June 2012
Words Catherine Riley Photographs Supplied
F
orming part of the luxury leisure group, Shamwari, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is situated between Montagu and Barrydale on the world-famous R62 and brings a whole new meaning to camping. The reserve’s Explorer Camp offers the more adventurous and active visitor a two-night outdoor tented bush camp along a shaded river line. The experience centres on being on foot in one of South Africa’s largest private game reserves, where the potential to have a close encounter with many different species of game is always a reality. The reserve is home to the Big Five, zebra, buck, giraffe
3
AFRICA South Africa
Waterfront living Pam Golding Properties is marketing Ambermere Estate, which is situated on 300ha of prime land right next to the confluence of the Vaal and Wilge rivers. There are 61 waterfront stands available, each a minimum of 2ha in size and with at least 100m of private waterfront. Plots are priced from R750 000. Building regulations are strict, allowing future buyers two years to build on their plots, and only single-storey homes of a maximum 600m2 in size. All services will be underground, ensuring no unsightly cables are seen, as architectural guidelines are geared towards being sympathetic to the surroundings. In the last few years, more than 10 000 indigenous trees have been planted on the estate and the waterfront areas have been improved, including the building up of embankments and the construction of two marinas. Residents will be able to enjoy outdoor activities, including water sports and birdwatching. The estate is fully fenced and secure, in line with the reintroduction of game into the area. +27 (0)16 371 1377, ambermereestate.co.za
Bargain bay Property sales along the southern coast of KwaZuluNatal are seeing both local and upcountry buyers snapping up seaside property bargains. Deidre Ronnenberg, owner of the Aïda Amanzimtoti office, says the biggest driver of this activity is the proposed R100-billion upgrade of Durban’s former international airport, which is just 11km from Amanzimtoti. ‘The anticipated increase in local property values as a result of this development, plus the fact that the demand for long-term rentals
Interest-on-Sea
here is already increasing, is attracting a far greater
Homebuyers are showing increased interest in properties in the Eastern Cape town
number of investment buyers, and many of them
of Kenton-on-Sea, particularly in the middle-income market. Older, well-priced,
are paying cash,’ says Deidre. The South Coast
well- maintained homes are seen as offering good value or as having that ready-to-
fares well in terms of property values. For example,
move-in feel. Pam Golding Properties Area Principal, Michael Wilmot, says homebuyers
a spacious two-bedroom beachfront flat with
are drawn to the tranquil coastal lifestyle and unspoilt environment, which is ideal
garage costs around R650 000. Further down the
for young children. ‘We are seeing leisure buyers returning to the market, including
coast, there’s strong demand for retirement homes.
middle-income small families and young buyers and a younger generation of retirees,
An estimated 400 000 retirees reside between
mostly from Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Bloemfontein, and they are generally seeking
Umkomaas and Port Edward. Homes in this area are
properties in the range of R1 million to R2,5 million,’ says Michael. The growing number
popular for purchase, either as an investment or to
of young buyers includes parents who intend sending their children to private schools
accommodate new retirees.
in Grahamstown as well as parents whose children attend Rhodes University. Michael
+27 (0)31 916 4215, aida.co.za
says Kenton-on-Sea is a popular holiday destination with relatively crime-free streets and a Blue Flag beach. +27 (0)46 648 1203, pamgolding.co.za
Mall in the middle Middelburg Mall has reopened after a R500 million refurbishment. Moolman Group and Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment say the facelift came about because of increased retail demand. Middelburg Mall is situated just off the N4 in Mpumalanga. The made-over interiors now have modern finishes, higher ceilings, new tiling, a fresh coat of paint and improved bathrooms. The mall has been extended by 10 000m2 to 43 000m2, and there is still room for further expansion. ‘It could eventually exceed 55 000m2,’ says Patrick Flanagan. The mall includes 94 shops, and most of them are let. Tenants include major banks and cellular companies. The anchor tenants are Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Game, Checkers and Edgars. Included in the retail mix are Clicks, Musica, Mr Price and Truworths. Among the mall’s chain restaurants are the household names Spur, Mugg & Bean, Wimpy, McDonald’s and Debonairs. +27 (0)13 244 1404, middelburgmall.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 53
Namibia 1
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The rise and rise of Several new modern shopping centre developments and extensions have mushroomed across Namibia
D
evelopment partners including Stark Property Development businessmen Steven Skoppelitus and Paul Shipoke as well as TransNamib have collaborated on the retail project of the Bahnhof Square and Lifestyle Centre, a new mixed-use development in the coastal town of Swakopmund. The billion-dollar project originated after the realisation of the area’s need for a development of such a nature and has already attracted potential investors, especially from South Africa. The basic design of the centre is in place and negotiations with potential tenants and financing
2
partners for the estimated 180 000m² Bahnhof Square and Lifestyle Centre are under way and should be finalised by the end of May. The development will be situated on two open properties owned by TransNamib, including the Swakopmund railway station, and will feature doctors practices, offices, restaurants and a shopping centre, as well as light industrial warehousing and residential apartments. Construction of Bahnhof Square and Lifestyle Centre is expected to start by August this year and to be completed in 2017. Apart from this exciting development, there’s the N$1,1-billion Grove shopping centre development in
Kleine Kuppe, Windhoek. A joint venture between Safland Property Services Namibia and Demushuwa Property Developers, the 55 000m² Grove shopping centre development forms part of the planned mixed-use 220 000m² Hilltop Estate, which will incorporate the mall, a medical centre, a hotel, offices and medium-to-high-density residential units. The development is expected to be completed by November 2013. Safland is also extending the Shoprite Centre in Otjiwarongo, from 5 700m² to 8 000m². The centre’s name is being changed to Otjiwarongo Town Square. +264 (0)61 254 972, safland.co.za
1–2
Visit thepropertymag.co.za to discover for
second-largest shopping complex north of Windhoek, Otjiwarongo Town Square.
more business news from Namibia.
The N$51-million upgrade to the Otjiwarongo Shoprite Centre will create the
54 | May/June 2012
Words Candace King Photographs Supplied
Namibia
AFRICA Namibia
Cream of the crop
Tourism triumph
Broll Namibia and the Lüderitz Nest Hotel
Namibia is one step closer to being selected as the host of the Adventure Travel World
have both been highly commended, with
Summit in 2013. The country has been shortlisted as one of the three finalists to host the
the former scooping several awards in
event, which involves an international gathering of over 600 heavyweights in the adventure
the Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies’
travel industry. The organisers of Namibia’s campaign to host the summit believe that the
(O&L) 12 Seasons Awards, and the latter
country stands a good chance of winning the bid, based on Namibia’s safe and secure
winning the prestigious South African-
environment, excellent infrastructure, efficient telecommunications, rich cultural heritage and
based research institution, Professional
award-winning, community-based natural resource management programme. Nambia has
Management Review’s (PMR) Africa
already reached Phase 3 of the bid process and if it succeeds it will be the event’s first time
Award. For the second year running
in Africa. A final announcement is expected later this year. adventuretravel.biz
at the annual O&L 12 Seasons Awards held in Windhoek, Broll Namibia was named Top Performer and was also rated number one within the O&L Group as the Best Company to Work For. The company was also named first runner-up for operational excellence and second runner-up for creating an excellent trust relationship with its customers. For the third consecutive year, the Lüderitz Nest Hotel won the PMR Africa Leading Four- Star Hotel in Namibia Award. For 2011 the Nest Hotel took the only gold award and the Diamond Arrow award for 2009 and 2010 for being Namibia’s top
Photograph 123RF.com
hotel. Situated directly on Lüderitz Bay, the hotel boasts 73 sea-facing rooms and its own tidal beach. +264 (0)61 374 500, brollnamibia.com.na; +264 (0)63 204 000, nesthotel.com
socials
Society 2
3
1
6 6
9 5
7
4
8
Safland Awards 2012 gala dinner, Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino, Namibia: 1Kallie van der Merwe 2Mandy Samson 3Prins Shiimi 4Johan Piek 5James Hatuikulipi 6Floris Marx 7Michelle Nehoya, Meghan van der Merwe, Vency Mupupa 8Katrienka Rossouw, Mirinda van der Merwe
Email social photographs for consideration to socials@medianova.co.za.
56 | May/June 2012
socials
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9
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22 21
Safland Awards 2012 gala dinner, Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino, Namibia: 9Jeremy Rossouw, 10Anton Westraadt, Petro Oberholster, Michael Mukete 12David Nuyoma 13Maria Dax 14Ranga Haikali 15Simeon Negumbo 16Jacob Nghifindaka 17Meghan van der Merwe, Mirinda van
11
der Merwe, Andreas van der Merwe 18Jurie Badenhorst 19John Mandy 20AndrÊ Swanepoel 21Claude Bosch 22Conrad Scheffer, Kallie van der Merwe.
thepropertymag.co.za | 57
Bring back the
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Garages: 3 cars
Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4 Garages: 3 Well located very spacious family home close to all amenities. Entertainment room with BBQ. Double volume with view over the dunes. CC registered.
Position counts. Walk to the ocean from this 450m² spacious family home with a separate one bedroom flat located in a quiet cul-de-sac.
SUNNY KRAMERSDORF HOME
N$ 3 200 000
N$ 3 200 000
CALLING ALL GOLFERS
Bathrooms: 2
N$ 4 040 000
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Garages: Double Hear the waves rolling onto the shore whilst enjoying magnificent view from this unusually top floor apartment in Vineta.
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Garages: 4 cars Spacious family home with secluded garden and an entertainment room for relaxing parties. Includes a one bedroom flat fully self-contained.
Bedrooms: 3
EXCELLENT VALUE
BRAND NEW DESIGN
IMMACULATE NEW CONSTRUCTION
N$ 2 850 000
Bedrooms: 3
Garages: Double
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
N$ 2 500 000
Garages: Double
Comfortable home in upmarket area. Rustic finishes add to the character of this interesting, well designed residence, ready to move in without renovation.
N$ 3 200 000
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Garages: Double Close to the sea! Modern clean lines, quality finishes. Designed to optimize indoor and outdoor living. From the terrace enjoy the sunset view on the ocean with your friends.
• Anja Schröder 081 252 8877 • Renate Strzelecki 081 242 0008 swakopmund
Garages: Double
Have the best of both worlds – upmarket, home in secure Golfing Estate. Play golf after work without having to drive miles.
Bathrooms: 2
Walk to the main beach. Small new development, which is an ideal lock up and go or permanent home for the executive in a brand new secure development.
• Benno Emmrich 081 246 4446 • Barbara Gibson 081 656 2619
SWAKOPMUND
N$ 3,700,000. CC
N$ 2,900,000. CC
Modern and Elegant
Stylish with Class
This modern and elegant 4-bedroom home offers
This stylish home with views of Swakopmund offers
3 bathrooms, a very attractive open-plan kitchen with
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an open-plan kitchen with
scullery, a dining room, cosy lounge and TV room.
scullery, a lovely dining room and indoor barbecue,
Guest toilet, beautiful indoor braai area, 2 garages,
and a warm lounge. It also offers a study, an alarm and
plus alarm. Very chic finishes.
4 garages. Neat and modern with a sea view!
N$ 5,885,000. CC
N$ 4,800,000
Quality Lifestyle Home
Modern Home with Charm
Stunning family home with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms,
This modern and charming home offers 4 bedrooms,
beautiful kitchen with granite worktops and scullery,
4 bathrooms, a beautiful kitchen, laundry room, a cosy
study, TV room, guest toilet, and 5 garages. Indoor
dining room, TV room and 3 garages. Other features
braai, indoor courtyard, rooftop balcony with fantastic
include a fireplace, guest toilet, braai area, alarm, and a
sea views. Plus a self- contained 2-bedroom flat with
beautiful garden and courtyard.
kitchen, living area and separate access to the garages.
N$ 2,500,000. CC
N$ 4,170,000. CC
Spacious Home for Ideal Living
Warm, Bright and Cosy
Spacious home offering 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms,
This bright, cosy and warm home offers 3 bedrooms,
a neat kitchen and laundry room, lovely lounge and
3 bathrooms, a kitchen with modern finishes and
dining room, TV room, a guest toilet, indoor braai area,
spacious scullery, a lounge with gas fireplace, a sunny
and an alarm. This home also offers a double garage
dining room, a TV room, and two electric garages. In
and an immaculate garden. Ideal living space!
addition to this it offers a storage room, guest toilet, a separate room with an outside shower and basin and a beautiful garden.
SWAKOPMUND Tel: +264 64 402 029
info@properties.com
Diane: 081 275 6928
Uschi: 081 243 5830
Fax: +264 64 463 917 Solinde: 081 149 4049
www.properties.com.na Werdi: 085 127 9729
Hosting you in Namibia’s pristine protected areas Namibia Wildlife Resorts is a State owned enterprise, mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia. Its only shareholder is the Government of the Republic of Namibia; hence, it belongs to the Namibian people.
Central Reservations Office: E-mail: reservations@nwr.com.na Tel: +264 61 285 7200 Swakopmund Office: E-mail: sw.bookings@nwr.com.na Tel: +264 64 402172
find us on
Conserving Namibia’s natural heritage ...today, tomorrow & forever!
Cape Town Office E-mail: ct.bookings@nwr.com.na Tel: +27 21 4223761
Your home deserves Kings
Dunkeld –
Fo r e s t To w n –
Pa r k wo o d –
R8 900 000
R5 800 000
R4 800 000
Pa r k t o w n N o r t h –
Pa r k h u r s t – Ear ly R4 Millions
Pa r k h u r s t –
R 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 i n c l VA T
R3 700 000
29, 7th Avenue Parktown North, Johannesburg, 2193 Tel 011 447 4420 www.kingsestates.co.za
Beyond the ordinary. Beyond beautiful. Beyond your expectations.
SANDHURST A wonderful home within an exclusive estate. Reception rooms flow to a delightful covered patio and a special Japanese style Zen garden. Excellent accommodation includes 4 spacious bedrooms en-suite plus a guest suite or study. A fantastic opportunity to acquire a wonderful property with 24 hour guarded security. For exclusive viewing please call Stephen Brick 082 5517971 or Nina Obel 082 5527325. web ref: 106114
PARKTOWN NORTH A contemporary executive family home. Surrounded by lush tropical garden, this home of Âą844m2 under roof has wrap around patios to swimming pool. 3 reception rooms, Italian designed kitchen, 4 large bedrooms, all en suite with dressing rooms. Plus excellent security. For exclusive private viewing please call Terri Dicks 083 252 7668 or Trevor Sedgwick 082 900 1722 web ref: 106222
VERED estates
011 341 1300
|
info@vered.co.za
|
www.vered.co.za
J U S T W H AT YO U WA N T
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Leila Gibson 082 809 1024 RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976
Web Ref 424137
FROM R1 100 000
Petra Davidan RE/MAX Living
R650 000
Web Ref 487268
Web Ref 507409 Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Petra Davidan 082 490 6329 Web Ref 507776 RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976
PERFECT CITY PAD In central area close to Technikon. 2 Bedrooms. Ideally situated for students or perfect ‘lock up & go’! Communal braai area with swimming pool. Pet friendly
ZONNEBLOEM
| www.remaxliving.co.za | www.remax.co.za |
082 490 6329 021 422 3976
SPOILT WITH CHOICE Work or Commercial. Fantastic finishes. Well priced now! Ideal location, very central. All units with parking, purchasing of storerooms optional. All prices inclusive of VAT.
CITY BOWL
Web Ref 489771
Gerlinde Moser 082 569 4644 RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976
R4 100 000
Gerlinde Moser 082 569 4644 RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976
FRESNAYE
CHARMING CHARACTER HOME Corner position, 3 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with sunny outlook. Lounge, dining room leading to N-facing pool terrace. Separate loft. 2 Garages + off street parking. Tons of potential to make your own.
R5 495 000
Web ref 450813
SUNNY DELIGHT WITH BEACHES & MOUNTAIN & HOLIDAY FUN Love this pretty home with 3 bed suites on one level. Open plan living & glorious flow for entertaining to garden & pool. Fabulous panoramic mountain & good sea views. Approved plans for 2nd level.
CAMPS BAY
Living - An Extraordinary Real Estate Office - Cape Town City Bowl - Inner City - Atlantic Seaboard - Telephone 021 422 3976
Web Ref 482290
R1 695 000
Leila Gibson 082 809 1024 RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976
LAGOON BEACH
IDEAL INVESTMENT AT THE SEA Lovely 2 bed, 2 bath apt - magnificent 74m² entertainment deck to sip sundowners & watch the dolphins from. Secure complex close to town & just steps from the beach.
R2 200 000
STYLE & CREATIVITY MEET Stunning trendy loft apt in CTN’s most sought after building. Residential / Commercial rights. Dbl volume living rooms, lrg bed & 2 baths. Pool in complex. 24hr Concierge + secure parking. City & Table Mountain views.
CITY BOWL
Gerlinde 082 569 4644 / Petra 082 490 6329 RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976 Web Ref 492722
R8 000 000
Petra 082 490 6329 / Leila 082 809 1024 RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976 Web Ref 507606 + 510046
HIGGOVALE
VIEWS FOR SALE Calling all Retro lovers and Renovators. Double dwelling with HUGE POTENTIAL on 1600sqm with Magnificent views. Multi-purpose or family home with garden.
SELECTION
RE/MAX Living 021 422 3976
Gerlinde Moser 082 569 4644
Web ref: 510061
Petra 082 490 6329
R11 950 000
Petra Davidan 082 490 6329
HIGGOVALE
DEFINITELY THE BEST ADDRESS N-facing home of great proportions with wonderful finishes. Entertainers lounge. 4 Bedrooms. Guest flat. Fabulous views and pool. 4 Garages.
R 10 500 000
A FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE THIS GEM Prime Position. Large dbl volume one level living. 2 En-suite beds, third en-suite guest room , dbl garage. Web ref 497537
HIGGOVALE
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Exquisite & light-filled this perfect home is a “must see” – on the “right” side of road. Secure views. Quality fittings & finishes, dbl garage + staff facilities.
R27 000 000
MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION In Cape Town’s most exclusive lifestyle complex. Prestige, luxury and easy living awaits you.View a hand-picked selection of the best quality properties on offer with us.
WATERFRONT
remaxliving.co.za
COLLECTION
Cape Town
BANTRY BAY
Web ref. 100288440
Auckland Park
Offers from R5.999 million - asking R7.5 million. ”French Provençal B&B”. Opulence & Elegance, with a superb blend of impressive treasures are nestled in this ‘French chateau’. Remarkable ‘country retreat’ offers unrivalled 4-star hospitality, a selection of 10 luxuriously decorated rooms, all en-suite, overlooking the pool area. Conference facilities, gym, 2 master crafted kitchens, dining areas, cloakrooms & SQ of the highest order, a distinct past guest list ensures this sanctuary remain a quality investment. CJ 083 704 2042 Frederick 082 345 7817
Senderwood
Absolutely fabulous family home! Outstanding accommodation of note! Finishes of class, top quality and appeal. Just divine! Genuine seller, wants offers in charcoal, ink or blood. Calling King David and Saheti buyers! Larger families? Need space? Want security, status and charm? Best you pop around here and view, cos it could be for you. What offers?? Howard 078 719 7442 Janine 083 676 1967 (B) 011 728 7013
Web ref. 100288171
Waverley
State-of-the-art double-storey cluster in 24-hour security complex! Serious seller relocating. Mid R2 millions. Double-volume entrance hall, open-plan formal lounge / dining room, granite kitchen, guest cloakroom, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (mes). Double garage with direct access. Landscaped garden with pool, underfloor heating and aircon in unit... Too much to mention - come see for yourself! Lorraine 082 690 6873 Gregory 082 335 4167 (B) 011 728 7013
Houghton Estate
Inviting buyers in the upper R4 millions and R5 millions. Brand new contemporary stylish clusters. Offers porcelain tiles, caesar stone, stainless steel, aluminium stackable doors, Hans Grohe sanitary ware and much more! 3 Receptions rooms, 3 / 4 bedrooms (all en-suite), modern kitchen, double garage, staff accommodation, covered patio and private garden. Seeing is believing! Close to highways, malls and Mosques. Sally 082 570 1470 Dan 079 505 0450 (B) 011 728 7013
Web ref. 100287248
Morningside
“A house with honour”. This exclusive prime positioned home will set you apart from all others! 4 Luxurious beds, great receptions, lounge, dining, family room, dbl garaging, staff quarters, perfect sized garden for all aspects of home life, pets, kid - family orientated home with magnificent and luxurious quarters. A home of note that will make your proud, brand new on the market & won’t last long before SOLD is seen on this billboard. Avrille 084 725 2883 Jen 079 780 3377 (B) 011 728 7013
Head Office 011 728 7013
Web ref. 100262366
Bryanston East
Inviting buyers between R4.799 - R5.499 million to view & negotiate. This is living if your family comes first... Looking for excellent security, fabulous entertainment, stunning garden with borehole (±3336sqm), solar heated pool, cottage, 5 garages & loads of parking? This magical homes has it all (±950sqm)! 4 Large receps to patio, billiard/pub room, granite kitchen, 3 beds (upstairs), study / 4th bed, 4 baths (mes) guest cloak, SQ, 1 bed, cottage. Other features include atrium, skylights. Christine 083 632 3472 Virginia 082 768 5895
www.ah-properties.co.za
DIRECTORY
/8;85< :$507+
<285 +20( :28/' &+226(
FREE No obligations, property law and/or c o n v e ya n cin g co n s u lta tio n . Contact: Aa ron Stanger and Assoc iates in confidence on 011 442 3118 or 08 3 6000 123 or 082 413 1790
ESKOM RATES ARE GOING UP ANOTHER 16%! Now you can rather pay up to 60% LESS by installing a solar geyser or heat pump from Totally Solar and have Eskom pay for some of it via their rebate. It pays for itself in less than three years and thereafter provides hot water for FREE. It works in all weather conditions and can be fitted out of sight. Phone for an on-site assessment to evaluate the best solution for you at a price that suits your budget. Eskom, SESSA and SABS approved with a 5-year warranty and expected lifespan in excess of 25 years.
Roger 083 651 0464 or tota l l y s o la r w c @ t i s c a li.co.za V i s i t o u r w e b s i t e w w w. t o t a l l y s o l a r. c o . z a
TREND WATCH
For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your office space, look no further than these accessories ZOOM IN
GETTING IT RIGHT The Livescribe Echo Smart Pen is a must-have for the office stationery box. This multipurpose pen records everything that its writer hears and writes. For quick and accurate access to all recorded information, simply tap on your written notes. It has a built-in
From the Lighting Warehouse comes a new
micro USB connector (useful for transferring notes to
range of desk and floor lamps, including this
your computer) as well as a jack for headphones and
Magnifier Clamp Light in white. The lamp
a speaker for playback. With two memory options
effortlessly clips onto your desk and has the
available, 4GB (400 hours) or 8GB (800 hours),
bonus of a built-in magnifying glass. Available
the Echo Smart Pen never misses a beat. Available
from Lighting Warehouse outlets nationwide.
nationwide from The Gadget Shop. +27 (0)11 792 4912,
0861 5444 8464, lightingwarehouse.co.za
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COFFEE WHEN YOU CAN These Coffee Joulies, available from Mantality, are the ultimate boardroom weapon, helping to keep your cuppa joe warm throughout long meetings. Should you need a jump-start sip immediately, these smart beans help with that, too! Sealed within each stainless steel bean is a phase change material (PCM) that melts at around 60°C and draws the heat out of boiling hot coffee, changing it to a more drinkable temperature. The PCM also slowly releases the heat its absorbed, keeping your coffee warm for longer. Mantality delivers to all major cities in South Africa. Bottoms up! +27 (0)11 462 5482, mantality.co.za
CALCULATING IN COLOUR Brighten up doing your calculations with this range of cute Casio calculators from Office National. Choose from a variety of cool colours. Available from Office National outlets nationwide. +27 (0)11 704 0056, on24.co.za
BOOGIE ON DOWN The Boogie Board Rip, available from Mantality, is both
with the peace of mind that you can save your scribbles and revert to them later. The Boogie Board Rip allows you to save up to 100 pages and even lets you transfer your drawings, lists and ideas to your Mac or PC. Nationwide delivery. +27 (0)11 462 5482, mantality.co.za
72 | May/June 2012
Words Catherine Riley
environmentally friendly and seriously cool. Write down or doodle down your ideas on this touch-sensitive tablet,
Prop Mag F-P May 4/23/12 1:30 PM Page 1 C
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Built-in sound control
With Gyproc’s new high performance SoundBloc, you can create a world where patients heal and doctors can hear themselves think. A world where kids can learn and teachers can teach. A world where business travellers are guaranteed a good night’s sleep and holiday goers can go on partying till dawn. Sounds good, doesn’t it.
1905 It’s a Go | SoundBloc
0860 27 28 29 www.gyproc.co.za
1905_Gyproc_SoundBloc_Ad_FA.indd 1
2012/05/02 1:14 PM