Property
Est. 2004, Issue 261
KWAZULU-NATAL
APRIL/MAY 2012
Winner of 10 publishing awards
decor, trends, luxury, design & real estate
HEAT UP YOUR SPACE
WINTER WARMER DECOR & BREAKS
NATIONAL DIGITAL EDITION FOR iPADio Get it from Zin
ART & ARCHITECTURE:
PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST
RICHARD HART REVEALS HIS CANVAS
WITS ART MUSEUM OPENS ITS DOORS
Real Estate: Is the game changing for agents?
RSA R34.95 (incl. VAT) Other countries R21.90 (excl. Tax) ShefямБeld Manor, Ballito
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT IN YEARS!
D DOWNLOA AL N IO OUR NAT N IO EDIT FOR iPAD from Zinio
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24
Contents
DECOR
TRENDS
9
7
HOT DECOR & DESIGN
and the stars behind Durban’s I-Heart Market
38
Now you, too, can treasure
8
Cleopatra’s Richard Poynton’s favourite winter dish, tastes from the past,
A prophetic guide to
of giant pizzas
will warm up your home this winter
13
luxuries to ease you into winter
18
14
45
STAYING THE COURSE HAS ITS REWARDS Seeff’s Pola Jocum
Indulge in an instant love
has changed in the
affair of the senses at Eden
industry due to continued
Island, Seychelles
economic uncertainty
questions whether much
46
AFRICA A new luxury wing
refurbishment for the
an artwork in itself. Take a
Grand Hôtel Kinshasa
Where to be this month
peek inside Joburg’s first
in KZN
permanent space dedicated to African art
AN ARISTOCRATIC FIND
20
Safari Lodge, and a
48
SOUTH AFRICA Outdoor dining at Kurland Hotel on the
BLOWN AWAY
Garden Route, a new
A supreme synergy of
eco-spa in the
offers up an estate of
high-tech and the
Drakensberg, and
great proportions
environment at Simbithi
original property
Eco-Estate on the
investment ideas
IN BED WITH BALLITO
North Coast
50
Explore the majestic Nambiti
RESIDENTIAL: KWAZULUNATAL
Plains Private Game Lodge,
A Ramsgate shaker,
and discover places to keep
an exclusive eco-estate
RESORT LIVING AT ITS BEST
away the slight chills this
in Kloof, and buy-
winter. For those of you
to-let opportunities
Park your golf cart and
who are staying at home, we
in Effingham
enter a higher dimension of
reveal decor pieces to keep
luxury seaside existence, at
you cosy
ON ON THE THE COVER COVER
Zimbali Coastal Resort on
TheSheffi Kitchen eld & Manor, Tasting Ballito, Room
the North Coast
56
REAL ESTATE
SOME ENCHANTED ISLAND
DESIGN
24
Dolphin Coast’s beaches
for the full story.
Fashion, wine and other
WHAT’S ON
becoming as golden as the
@ Maison. See page Turn 51 for to page details. 11
HOT INDULGENCE
architecture industry
The Wits Art Museum is
Ballito’s property values are
36
rising stars in Durban’s
for Victoria Falls
Dainfern, Johannesburg,
35
Leigh Bishop Architects,
LUXURY 10
LOOKS GOOD, WORKS GREAT
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
and celebrating one year
12
41
steaming cup of cocoa
HOT PLATE
THE BOOK OF SAMPLES heavenly fabrics that
the best accessories for a
Ballito House
Must-visit gallery spaces and exhibitions,
BEACH RETREAT
enjoying it – we bring you
56
31
WINTER WARMERS
PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST
HOT COCOA
Richard Hart’s road from
From making it, to
designer/illustrator to artist
53
COMMERCIAL: KWAZULUNATAL Focus on Dube TradePort
thepropertymag.co.za | 1
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Photograph Grant Difford
+27 (0)87 230 0101
By accident or design There’s nothing better than departing from a lecture in a bubble of inspiration. This happened to me after listening to two international designers’ presentations at the recent Design Indaba simulcast. Unfortunately the Cape Town-based Indaba doesn’t quite get to Joburg, but technology has allowed us a peek into the lecture room. The first talk I attended was presented by a group called United Visual Artists, more specifically, Ash, Chris and Matt, from the United Kingdom. I stumbled onto this talk accidentally. Things weren’t
2 | April/May 2012
running on schedule and so I popped in halfway through and was instantly transfixed. UVA is a group of fine artists, architects, communication designers, and engineers, moving-image artists and computer scientists who are responsible for a number of startling installations around the world. I call them light installations, but the group doesn’t like their work to be bogged down by one term. Rather, they see it as a collection of sculpture, architecture, live performance and responsive installation. One of their temporary installations sat between the two bridges on Brooklyn’s shore in New York City, and the images astounded me. Built 10m x 10m, in a cube, Origin was a large-scale responsive LED sculpture designed to explore society’s acceptance of a technocratic life form. And once the sun went down it all began – an intense light show followed with a powerful musical score by Scanner, performed while people watched from inside the box. UVA had hoped that visitors would walk around the cube and immerse themselves in it while the light show moved around them, but they were pleasantly surprised when most visitors lay on the floor of the cube and watched it from below, mesmerised. In Toronto, UVA created its first permanent structure, Canopy, a 90m-long light sculpture that spans the facade of Maple Leaf Square. Construction was difficult and there was a lot of going back to the drawing board. The material had to be strong and durable to withstand Toronto’s fierce weather. The result is an installation made of thousands of identical modules, organised in a non-repeating growth pattern. The design, taken from the abstract form of the geometry of leaves, reflects nature and its surrounds, producing a sweeping effect of reflective surfaces, thanks to a combination of daylight and artificial light.
Simply put: magical. Yet mere words cannot do these visual feasts justice. Seeing is believing. Another inspired speaker on the day was Piet Hein Eek, a young Dutch furniture maker who had me at his first words: ‘I don’t like to do commissions – I make what I like.’ His story begins with a graduation project, the Scrap Wood cabinets (pictured left), a fine meshing of craftsmanship and quality materials – his ethos – that would lead to his success and, 10 years on, a huge creative space that houses his workshop, store, restaurant and gallery. And he is only getting warmed up … A local designer who also stirred my creative juices this month at the annual Home Channel Decor and Design Morning is Nthabi Taukobong, creator of the African Queen furniture range. Warm, funny and full of confidence, she took a chance despite many an obstacle to create the range, which has now filtered into fabrics, furniture and home accessories – even jewellery. She believes people need to stand up, realise their dream and then be accountable for that dream. So here I am, sitting down with cup of tea in hand, filled to the brim with all this knowledge and inspiration – and now what? It’s hard not to feel a little inadequate when walking in the shadows of such design greats, but as I sit here dreaming just a little of my next great project, I take solace in the parting words of Piet Hein Eek: ‘A lot of things are accidental in my career, and that in itself is quite nice.’
Nicky Manson, Editor
Property EDITORIAL Editor Nicky Manson nickym@medianova.co.za KwaZulu-Natal Bureau Chief Anne Schauffer anne@medianova.co.za Senior Subeditor Yaron Blecher Features Writers Genevieve Fisher (Western Cape) André Fiore (KwaZulu-Natal) Writer and Online Coordinator Catherine Riley
thepropertymag.co.za Gauteng Sales Milos Kovacevic, Tracey-Lee Schuster Gauteng Sales Assistant Bianca van Deventer Gauteng Sales Western Cape Regional Sales & Marketing Manager Michèle Jones Western Cape Sales Tharien Nel KwaZulu-Natal Regional Sales & Marketing Manager Jenni McCallum Directory Sales Amanda Faas Media Coordinator Cindy Comer Traffic Assistant Portia Mbele
ART Art Director Warren Uytenbogaardt Senior Designer Keverne Morland Junior Designer Chané Joemat Senior Retoucher Tim Lake
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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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THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE KWAZULU-NATAL DISTRIBUTION 4 529 copies to luxury outlets: 8 925 copies free-to-home in the following The Boat House areas (including residential estates): The Vineyard on Ballito Berea Zimbali Lodge Musgrave Fairways Lodge Morningside Teremok Marine Windermere La Bordello Beverly Hills Madeline Grove B & B Cowies Hill The Palms Guest House Waterfall/Kloof Essenwood House Hillcrest The Balmoral Maytime Phezulu Game Estate Upper Umhlanga The Royal Hotel Lower Umhlanga Riverside Hotel & Spa Upper La Lucia Sica’s Guest House Lower La Lucia The Westville Hotel Prestondale Endless Horizons Boutique Hotel Broadway Quarters Hotel Mount Edgecombe The Manor House Hilton Fairway Guest House Wembley Docklands Hotel Ballito Umdloti
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SNAKES AND LADDERS I have just received the February/March edition and I’m sure you’re blushing as much as your readers are having a really good laugh. For timing, the choice of Rael Levitt as your guest editor and the cover line of ‘the growing status of the auctioneering industry’ and his unctuous editorial comments really take the biscuit as one of publishing’s great faux pas! Of course, the man is innocent until proven guilty, but subsequent events show that the auction industry stinks. Better luck next time. David Leslie, via email Crystal balls are useful tools in our industry.
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I feel so blessed to receive my stylish Property Magazine each month. I treasure each copy, and when my friends borrow them, the magazines are put into a plastic sleeve and everyone knows they must come back, because I keep every copy. The December 2011 article, ‘Japan: Sushi, Sake and Snow’, was amazing. It’s definitely on my wish list to ski in Niseko. Thanks for letting us know about these incredible destinations, things I would never have thought of had I not read about them in The Property Magazine. The magazine is a winner, led by a dynamic team, the engine that keeps everything going. Each and every one of you needs to be applauded. May The Property Magazine go from strength to strength, because you truly deserve it. Lynn Nagel, Cape Town Thank you, Lynn, for your encouraging comments. We sincerely hope your travel dreams come true.
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Winner of 10 publishing awards
decor, trends, luxury, design & real estate APRIL/M AY 2012
Winner of
HEATITUP OF RA SPACE YOUR IST PORT E ARTWARMER RT WINTER TH
AY 2012 APRIL/M
D HA AS CHAR &NV DECOR BREAKS RI S CA ALS HI REVE
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Est. 200 4, Issu decor, e trends, GAUT 259 luxury, ENG design & real estate
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So I picked up the January/February edition of The Property Magazine last night, because I recognised the ‘Hide & Sleek’ house on the cover – my neighbour’s house from across the road. Reading the text, I thought what a nice piece of writing it was. Turning the page, I noticed that the article ‘Nothing to Wine About’ was by the same writer, and it knocked me out of my slippers. Nice work, Genevieve Fisher! Johan van Papendorp, Cape Town We’re sure you’re equally pleased with the profile she did on you,‘Creating Common Ground’, in our February/March issue!
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HOT PROPERTY
HOT space
1
2
BEACH
RETREAT
T
he Ballito House has been in the
Business or pleasure, overnighting at a beach retreat always holds the magic of holidays past, present and future
There are seven air-conditioned en- suite
room, you’ll sense the mood of the sea. Huge
Colle family for eight years, and
bedrooms, all individually decorated, and
folding doors open out from the house to allow
they’ve done with it what we’d all
most with sea-facing verandas for that
for as much of the views as possible, and there
love to do: escaped there whenever
contemplative early morning cappuccino to
are so many private spaces in the home that, if
pay homage to the sunrise.
you so choose, you can all be there together …
that was called for, filled it with family and friends, and even entertained clients. But times change, life goes in different
Words Anne Schauffer Photographs Vaughan Adams
3
Architecturally, the house has that irresistible Caribbean island feel, or perhaps
and yet not see a soul. The Ballito House has an accomplished
directions, and the Ballito House now has a
shades of a grand plantation structure,
resident chef, so meals are sublime. High tea in
new persona: still with Anne and daughter,
amplified by the cool white walls and roof
the garden is not to be missed, while the bar
Alice’s, legendary stylish decor, still with the
as well as by its proximity to the sights and
is selectively stocked with superb wines from
wonderful warmth of home, and still with the
sounds of the Indian Ocean. Because the house
SA’s leading estates, so clearly, a stay here is
scent of the sea in your nostrils … Yet now you
is set right on the northern coast of KZN,
about the good life made better.
can go there and own it for a while too.
it’s inevitable that tones of blue thread their
And if you feel the need to walk all that off,
way through the decor, yet all the rooms are
the house is a mere five-minute stroll to the
privately in its totality – ideal for a group of
decorated quite differently; beach chic, but
beach. It’s also a short drive to the lively retail
VIP guests or for those who want anonymity
leave those slip-slops at home. Even the lounge
quarter of the village and the numerous superb
or privacy. Otherwise it’s a guest lodge, and
has more of a cigar bar feel.
golf courses and restaurants.
The Ballito House can now be rented out
The Ballito House prides itself on attention
rooms can be booked individually. There’s a
Every space inside the home, and outside,
private meeting room that can hold around
offers a glimpse of the sea, so whether you’re
to detail, and quietly, unobtrusively, walks
seven to eight persons. It’s also child-friendly,
stretched out beside the pool, celebrating
that talk. So, there’s no real need to go
so there’s no finer spot for a family reunion or
life with a cocktail in the outdoor gazebo, or
anywhere else.
festive celebration.
simply curled up with a book in the reading
Visit thepropertymag.co.za for other
1
stylish getaways in your area.
verandas and views. 3Chill spaces and cosy corners for work and play.
+27 (0)83 289 5918, theballitohouse.co.za
A cool space for long, lazy lunches near the sea. 2Bedrooms are pretty and stylish, with
thepropertymag.co.za | 7
HOT PROPERTY
HOT PLATE
A taste of history, a plum position, gargantuan pizzas and country comfort cooking …
RICHARD POYNTON, chef and co-owner (with his wife, Mouse) of the glorious Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse in the Drakensberg, has a reputation for extraordinary food prepared his way …
Q What are the ingredients that you cannot do without?
Cream, butter, alcohol and the reduction
LIGHT AND QUIRKY Plum has moved to 743 Currie Road, where, in a little green courtyard, it offers a pleasant, quirkily decorated outdoor setting. The menu includes a wide selection of breakfasts, interesting lunches and teas. Low-fat and fat-free options are a bonus for ladies who watch what they lunch. At present, Plum only operates during the day. +27 (0)31 312 6250, signaturelifehotels.com/restaurants
thereof. I’ve earned a reputation as a cream-and-butter man, but these days I use a lot less. But I still believe in the
MEMORY LANE
LIQUID GOLD
French tradition, where these play a big
It’s had the facelift and the newish owners,
Earthmother Organic in Bulwer Road
part in the flavour ride.
and now 9th Avenue Bistro is running an
has long been known to stock organic
inventive series of dinner dates. The Classic
goodies of very fine calibre, and its
Natal Dinner Series offers a nostalgic journey
newly introduced Phileos Extra Virgin
into KZN’s food history as owners Gina and
Cold Pressed Olive Oil is proving a
Graham Nielson find and reinterpret (with wine
gem. Produced and bottled in Laconia,
Difficult … But I think I’d choose a
pairings) interesting old local menus dating as
Greece, this oil hails from a sustainable,
meal I had at Marco Pierre White’s
far back as 1900. Booking essential.
organically certified cooperative of olive
The Restaurant – when he was still
+27 (0)31 312 9134, 9thavenuebistro.co.za
growers, and it is bursting with flavour.
Q What do you recall as your favourite dish?
+27 (0)31 202 1527
cooking. Gently sautéed pigeon breast in butter, topped with a slice of fresh foie gras quickly pan fried and finished with a truffle-induced reduction of pigeon stock made with the roasted leg meat. My mouth waters at the memory.
Q What are you cooking up this winter? I am thinking of introducing a French bean cassoulet with local duck from Dargle Ducks as a main course. Also one of the old-fashion bread-and-butter puds, with new ideas and ingredients – croissants, slithered almonds Words André Fiore
and Amaretto.
Q What’s your favourite winter dish at home? As our new organic greenhouse,
veggie garden and orchard are now in full production, I plan to use a lot of these ingredients. I imagine cooking
GET YOUR SLICE
something warming and satisfying, such
Turning one year old in May, Durban’s biggest pizza (60cm) just fits a table at Taco Zulu.
as delicious veggie soups and one-
The pizza has had more photos taken of it than many a fashion model, and comes with a
pot wonders. A good casserole with a
choice of 12 hit-the-spot toppings. No one has managed to finish one of these giants on
crusty pie top takes a lot of beating.
their own yet, but it has fed 16 youngsters. The pizzas are available for takeaway … provided
+27 (0)33 267 7243, cleomountain.com
you have a Venter trailer to haul them home in. +27 (0)31 303 9584, tacozulu.co.za
8 | April/May 2012
HOT PROPERTY
HOT DECOR & DESIGN
All the designer stuff you need …
ANNA SAVAGE and SAKI BUTLER are I-Heart Market, Durban’s first-Saturday-of-the-month designand-food market, where it’s strictly no imports and where all products are handmade and home-made with love.
BLUE STUFF Lovers of fine underwater photography are in for a treat, thanks to the launch of a series of images by Rafaela Schlegel. Her and her partner’s, Dietmar Posch’s, work has been featured internationally on Animal Planet and Nat Geo Wild, among other channels, and now for the first time they have made images available, in print, to the public. View their work at the Blue Rush Studio and Gallery in Widenham, Umkomaas. +27 (0)39 973 0958, blue-rush.info
LOCAL STUFF Now easily available to local art lovers, work by Gail van Lingen is being carried at the Elizabeth Gordon Gallery. Gail is known for her Battlefields of SA project and for her most recent Cape to Cairo exhibition in Cape Town. Her fusion of Impressionism and Expressionism is complemented by her use of thick paint, broad strokes and a palette knife. +27 (0)31 303 8133, elizabethgordon.co.za
Q How did I-Heart Market begin?
We met when Anna was setting up her first restaurant, Manna on Marriott (Gladys Mazibuko) Road. We worked well together, often finishing sentences for each other and completing tasks the other was thinking about! When I returned from my travels, we thought a market would be a good idea! By December 2008 we had put together 14 stalls on the pavement outside Beanbag Bohemia. Our ethos from the beginning has been: ‘Local, home- and handmade, no imports, at least a 50% design element, repurposed, upcycled, environmentally friendly, and organic’.
Q Clearly, you’re both very ‘Durban home-grown’?
well-known hand-made ceramics as well as the Art Bar, where individuals or families can
We’re both really motivated by Durban and by the people who make it happen. So often, Durban’s a blip on South Africa’s social radar. Everyone always talks about Cape Town and Joburg, but Durban’s constantly sidelined. I’m convinced that if you scratch beneath the surface of any creative in those two cities, you’ll find a good percentage of their ‘talent’ is actually Durban-grown. For some reason, Durban creatives always need to leave to find their feet, and inevitably come dribbling back to this lazy, languid city to settle! So, I-Heart Market was about choosing Durban, the city, giving Durban something to be proud of, and giving Durbanites an opportunity to showcase their work. Most creatives have day jobs, so this was the perfect platform for those undercover creatives to have a relaxed, informal way of letting themselves shine. No pressure, just once a month. We also wanted to stick to an urban setting, to bring people back to the city, back from beyond the river, back from the hills!
choose their own blank piece of pottery to paint. +27 (0)83 627 3491, traycitompkins.co.za
iheartmarket.blogspot.com
GREEN STUFF The Gallery @ Green With Envy is an airy new space set among the trees and leaves of Green with Envy Nursery. Curated by Durban art enthusiast, Michelle Dodds, formerly of Crouse Art Gallery in Morningside, the space will house a permanent exhibition of works by respected South African artists, and will also host a range of demonstrations, classes and charity functions. +27 (0)31 220 2041
COOL STUFF A custom-designed boutique art bar and gallery is the new home of Zulu-Lulu Studio and Collection at the Piggly Wiggly centre in the Midlands. Stuart and Trayci Tompkins have consolidated their art businesses into one vibrant space that holds a wide range of their
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9
HOT PROPERTY
HOT INDULGENCE
Fashion, wine and other luxuries to ease you into winter … UNMASK THE INNER YOU The QMS Medicosmetics Collagen Facial is the perfect antidote to the year’s stress. Collagen plays a critical role in the rejuvenation of the skin. The QMS Medicosmetics range effectively aims to aid damaged and ageing skin by increasing your collagen levels. Tightened, rejuvenated and glowing skin is just one of the effects that are visible immediately after treatment. The facial uses the entire range of QMS Medicosmetics products, which is now available in SA, including the three core products: day collagen, night collagen and exfoliant fluid. Two different refreshing masks are applied to encourage blood flow – the first forms a hard shell and the second is applied cold and then becomes rubbery. Indulge in a QMS treatment or buy the products for home use. Available from various outlets and spas nationwide. +27 (0)11 022 1658, qmsmedicosmetics.co.za
SPORTING STYLE Inspired by the colours of the French flag, Le Coq Sportif’s winter range is accented with bright reds and blues and crisp whites. The La Paix range of T-shirts and hoodies in retro colours makes sportswear fit not only for gym, track and field, but also for hitting the town. Available from Le Coq Sportif stores in the Western Cape and Gauteng. +27 (0)12 345 4527, lecoqsportif.com
10 | April/May 2012
LOCAL LUXURY It doesn’t get more proudly South African than the Beauty Factory’s luxurious products, home-grown in Midrand. We love the beautifully packaged Genealogy fragrance range. Find Beauty Factory stores in the Free State and Gauteng or shop online. beautyfactory.co.za
HOT PROPERTY
FROSTED FASHION PRINCESS
Grande Provence Heritage Wine
The Fall/Winter 2012
Estate in the Franschhoek Valley
Collection by eminent brand
has released the Grande Provence
Nine West is an eclectic
Shiraz 2008. Created by winemaker
montage of the season’s
Jaco Marais, the Shiraz 2008 is an
most sensational styles
elegant, medium-bodied red wine
in footwear, handbags
aged in French oak barrels for 15
SHIRAZ WITH FRUITY PIZZAZZ
and purses. Inspired by
months and it pairs perfectly with
the fashion of the 1970s,
meat or curry dishes. If berries, blackcurrants and plums are your
colour blocking re-emerges
taste sensations, then look out
as a season favourite,
the for the slick, contemporary
expressed in rusty red, brown, mustard and burnt orange,
‘GP’ label. Available nationwide.
and extravagance is expressed
+27 (0)21 876 8600,
in a range of clutches, purses,
grandeprovence.co.za
pumps, wedges and heels. Jewelled ornamentation in vibrant and decadent, supersaturated colours give way to a new class of casual luxury. Look out for the collection at Nine West stores nationwide. +27 (0)11 783 2356, ninewestsouthafrica.co.za
BEAT THE BEAR Do as the Russians do and keep those autumn chills at bay with the newly launched Russian Standard Original and Russian Standard Gold vodkas. Launched in SA by ABV Brands, this premium vodka, one of Russia’s finest, is best enjoyed over crushed ice or as a cocktail mix. We love the dramatic bottle design. It is inspired by the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which stands in the heart of Moscow. Available nationwide. +27 (0)21 801 6181, afbev.com
SHARING IS CARING New fashion boutique, 73 on Kloof Street, in Cape Town, is a space shared by two young labels, Adriaan Kuiters and Take Care. Designed by Keith Henning, Adriaan Kuiters is a nostalgic take on men’s fashion from the 1950s, while the Take Care range, designed by Jessica Harwood, is replete with simple and elegant basics. +27 (0)82 571 4216, takecareclothing.com; adriaankuiters.com
RAWDONS REFURB For country lovers, the great news is that the iconic Rawdons Hotel, established in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in 1954, has had a facelift. Over R2,5 million has been spent on the rooms alone, with extra care lavished on the famous Room 23, Mrs Rawdon’s private suite. The reception has been moved to its original location and the dining room has also undergone a substantial revamp, offering classic style and taste. The conference facilities have been upgraded to bring them in line with current demands. Boardwalks have been built, wrapping around the dams and extending into the forest, for the benefit of walking, birding or cycling enthusiasts. Meanwhile, the Boar’s Head Pub and Notties’ microbrewery on site continue to delight visitors. +27 (0)33 266 6044, rawdons.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 11
HOT PROPERTY
KWAZULU-NATAL DIARY
Easter High Tea, until 30 April The Easter Bunny will be busy all through the month at the Oyster Box hotel in Umhlanga Rocks. Book a table for high tea for four at the elegant Palm Court and only pay for three. The Oyster Box’s high-tea table is legendary – it’s laden with sumptuous treats, including freshly baked scones, pastries, quiches, cakes, finger sandwiches, savouries and freshly plucked oysters. Live piano music provides the perfect backdrop for this stylish occasion, and everyone gets a treat before leaving. Booking essential. R185/person. +27 (0)31 514 5000, oysterbox.co.za
Our Space, 16 April – 5 May This Artspace exhibition by Durban’s Caroline Birch explores the use of oil pastel overlaid with watercolour, and the relationships between the human being, space and responsibility. +27 (0)31 312 0793, artspace-durban.com
KZN Bubbly Celebration, 27–28 April KZN’s inaugural Bubbly Celebration will showcase over 30 bubbly producers and their award-winning bubblies. It’s taking place at Makaranga Lodge in Kloof on 27 April and at Piggly Wiggly in the Midlands on 28 April. Tickets: R180, including a complimentary bubbly glass and 10 tasting coupons. 0861 225 598, webtickets.co.za
Ice Revue from Russia, 28–29 April Clowns, comics and ballet acts will be combined in a dazzling show incorporating unicycles, skipping ropes and blades – all on ice, at the Durban Ice Rink. Tickets R130–R250. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com; +27 (0)31 332 4597, durbanicerink.co.za
Our Space, 16 April – 5 May
KZN Bubbly Celebration, 27–28 April
Send your 2012 event information to readers@medianova.co.za. 12 | April/May 2012
hot property
HOT mandate
An aristocratic
find
1
‘Overflowing with old-world charm’ is the only way to describe this month’s Hot Mandate in Johannesburg
T
his double-volume, classically styled property is situated in Highgate Village on Dainfern Golf and Residential Estate in Fourways. Epitomising perfection, the 700m2 house stands on a 1 612m2 erf. It has five bedrooms, all en suite. Built for the large or growing family, the home is spacious yet cosy and features beautiful fittings. Created with entertaining in mind, the kitchen is for the keen cook and is the heart of the home, thanks to its size. It has a place for cooking, eating, doing homework … even a cartwheel or two, if you’re so inclined. The luxurious fireplace does not go amiss either.
There is a formal dining room next door, a sexy, fully fitted bar area with wooden panelling, a large living area with second fireplace and a TV room. The home’s luxury features include air conditioning, an intercom system and elegant wood and sandstone flooring throughout. Whether it’s drinks for two or corks flying at a party, the wine cellar is an entertainer’s delight. The entertainment continues outdoors with breakfasting on the private patio while taking in the views of the landscaped gardens and the priceless vistas of the park and dam, or enjoying a braai around the swimming pool or indulging in a Jacuzzi and sauna. The property
also offers two studies, a guest cloakroom, a scullery, four garages and two staff suites. When you purchase a home on Dainfern Golf and Residential Estate you are automatically granted membership of Dainfern Country Club, which has function rooms, a members’ bar and a restaurant. The estate offers a host of amenities, including Dainfern College, and sporting facilities, such as its legendary golf course. This gem is available for R11,9 million from Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty. For more information, contact Brenda Rohde on +27 (0)82 469 0092 or visit sothebysrealty.co.za.
2
3
1
Casual elegance on a 1 612m2 stand, overlooking the park. 2The master-crafted kitchen with eating
area next to a cosy fireplace. 3Partial view of the patio with dining and seating areas.
If you would like to have your hot mandate featured, email editorial@medianova.co.za.
thepropertymag.co.za | 13
PRIME PROPERTY
When the Wits Art Museum in Braamfontein opens its doors, both its concept and context will express its integral connection with Joburg
EXPANDED FEATURE IN DIGITAL EDITION
Words Natalie Bosman Photographs Mark Lewis
T
he stars of the show in any gallery are almost always the artworks. But with little less than a month to go before the marvellous Wits Art Museum (WAM) opens to the public in mid May, the building’s sculptural lines, voluptuous volumes and tranquil pockets of white emptiness are all the composition that the senses need. Senior curator Julia Charlton aptly describes the atmosphere in the cathedral-like venue, saying that it seems as if the space is ‘holding its breath’. It has been a long journey to find a space worthy of the 9 000 or so pieces of classical and contemporary African art in Wits’ collection. A national competition was held, in which architects Nina Cohen, Fiona Garson and William Martinson took the honours in 2005, with their vision of the space as a gateway between the university and the city. Their decision to subvert the idea of the traditional art gallery and use wide expanses of glass and
14 | April/May 2012
shopfront-type windows, inviting the city to share in the space, undoubtedly set their project apart, and won them the honour of designing what is a first for Johannesburg, namely, ‘a permanent space dedicated to African art’. Nina Cohen and Fiona Garson Architects went on to bring the project to fruition. WAM covers 5 000m2. Half of this is devoted to exhibition space, divided into the street gallery, the core gallery, the mezzanine gallery, the basement gallery and the strip gallery alongside the stairs descending into this basement gallery. The rest is allocated to state-of-the-art, climate-controlled storage amenities and research, teaching and administrative teaching facilities. THREE IN ONE WAM owes its quirky multilevelled structure and unconventional spaces to the fact that it’s composed of three buildings fused into one – the old Shell garage
PRIME PROPERTY
CENTRE OF ATTENTION View of the core gallery and suspended storage areas, from the mezzanine level.
thepropertymag.co.za | 15
PRIME PROPERTY
on guard Foyer of the Wits Art Museum, closely guarded by an iconic Edoardo Villa sculpture.
16 | April/May 2012
PRIME PROPERTY
a joburg first Clockwise from top left View of the WAM from Jan Smuts Avenue; staircase leading down to the basement gallery; the voluminous core gallery.
and nine-storey University Corner building, which now forms WAM’s airy open entrance; a magnificent 20-storey building crowned by the old revolving restaurant; and lastly, a three-storey building with a beautiful crypt-like basement, which forms one of WAM’s most atmospheric exhibition spaces. For any other architects, turning three spaces into one and dealing with inherited structural dimensions might have been an unwelcome challenge. But for Nina and Fiona, it was a chance to delve into history and practise sustainable architecture. Fiona says, ‘We were working with very good building stock in the three structures, and we saw the reuse of existing structures as a very sustainable way of doing architecture. We respected the beauty in a lot of the elements that were already there, and all three buildings had a very particular character, which we hope we have expressed and moulded around.’ The building process uncovered gorgeous marble floors, now restored to their former glory, and the beautiful glossy blue tiles adorning the exterior walls and entrance hall were discovered when large steel louvres were removed. Nina and Fiona cleaned up the tiles and added gold studs to the points where the louvres had been attached, to give the facades a Zulu beadwork effect. Equally striking is the bold ring of deep, earthy brown bricks that wrap around the outside of the building and immediately attract your attention when you walk or drive along Jorissen Street. These represent the storage areas of the museum and form a central design element that is echoed throughout. ‘The art collection, when it’s not being exhibited, has to be housed in a dark space, and we wanted to express that,’ explains Nina. ‘We battled to find the right material, until we stumbled across this coping brick, which we inverted to give it a woven,
African look. Brick is also such a “Joburg” material, so we’ve used it to make reference to the city, too.’ The exterior of the museum is fortified with brick storage blocks, and this motif is repeated on the interior in the form of three suspended white blocks that hover above visitors to the museum. These house the treasure troves of artworks that Wits has cared for with such devotion over the years. ‘I think that where we differed from a lot of the other entries was putting the storage areas above the ground level, as opposed to down in the basement,’ explains Nina. She adds, ‘We deliberately suspended the storage areas above the core gallery so that they’re visible. These encased enclosures are also accentuated and deliberately visible from the street, which is what makes it such an interesting space.’ Art on art It’s a rare treat to see the WAM in all of its whitewashed purity, but equally exciting to imagine the 300-odd artworks that will soon be colouring the walls, as part of the museum’s opening exhibition, titled WAM! Seeing Stars. Highlights of the exhibition include Jackson Hlungwane’s Women’s Altar to God, a multi-part installation of wood, rock and metal, and the late Robert Hodgins’s acrylic A Beast Slouches. They’re the perfect complement to an architectural work of art, such as the WAM. As Fiona says, ‘The spaces have a sculptural beauty of their own, but you can just imagine the stories that are going to unfold on these walls and in these spaces. I am confident that this building can take all of those voices and colours.’ +27 (0)11 717 1000, wits.ac.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 17
SHOW DEVELOPMENT
island Some enchanted
Words Sam Gates Photographs Supplied
Eden Island, an upmarket residential development on a man-made island in Seychelles, engages you in an instant love affair of the senses
Y
ou just can’t help falling head over heels in love with the Seychelles islands.This beautiful archipelago in the Indian Ocean, all turquoise seas and dazzling beaches with curvy palms and photogenic boulders artfully placed by nature, is simply divine. Throw in some of the world’s best snorkelling, diving, fishing and sailing, discover that the temperature is always above 25ºC, and you’re smitten. As a deservedly popular honeymoon destination, Seychelles is famous for its luxurious, all-inclusive resort hotels and for being the perfect place to unwind. But if you love to explore, eat, sleep and play without restrictive timetables, yet still want every home comfort, then you’re looking for much more than a hotel. Ultimately, what you really need is a place on Eden Island. Eden Island is a stunning marina development consisting of a range of apartments,
18 | April/May 2012
maisons and villas on a private island connected by bridge to Mahé. Set on 40ha of verdant grounds edged with perfect white sandy beaches, every luxurious home is on the water. Explore further and you’ll find swimming pools, a gym, tennis court, clubhouse, restaurants and a retail plaza. It’s the only development of its kind in the Indian Ocean, one that’s been quietly transforming the lives of homeowners there, and Seychelles itself. It’s not hard to see why. Leaving the hustle and bustle of Mahé behind you, you drive over the Eden Bridge and things seem to … well … slow down. In the development it’s battery-powered vehicles only, and every property comes with a golf buggy. It makes for a peaceful and safe environment, blissfully free of bristling burglar bars and noisy alarms. The island is aware of its trailblazing position and quietly takes its responsibilities very seriously. No cars means low carbon emissions, a desalination plant ensures the
island isn’t a drain on precious water supplies, and all the plants are indigenous or endemic. It’s difficult to believe you’re on reclaimed land, and that’s mostly due to the skill of the South African urban planners and architects, the Dennis Moss Partnership (DMP). By creating properties and urban areas in Seychellois style and working to design principles that incorporate a sense of place, history, craft and nature, they’ve enabled this man-made island to blend in seamlessly with its environment. For Annelize van der Watt, a DMP architect who’s been working on the island since its conception, local heritage was a huge inspiration. ‘Seychelles has a unique island feel, so we wanted to echo the local architecture in a modern way whilst keeping the essence of that background and colour,’ says Annelize. Mornings on this enchanted island see the marina bustling with boats heading out to fish
SHOW DEVELOPMENT and explore, while the gentle climate works for casual sailors and serious enthusiasts alike. At night, the sounds of crickets and geckos mingle with the splashes of flying fish and the soft ringing of masts as yachts rock gently by the jetties. Want to charter a boat or bring your own? No problem. Every property comes with a private mooring, and if yours is a super-yacht, then the international marina has ample space. If you love fishing, Seychelles is practically a farm. As Christophe Houareau, business development manager of Eden Island Marina, jokes, ‘A bad day’s fishing in Seychelles is coming home with 20 fish.’ Homeowners love the lifestyle, with many of them trading up to larger houses or taking additional properties for friends and families. Others acquire them as rental investments, helping to satisfy the fast-growing demand for holiday lets and long-term corporate rentals, a result of the development’s excellent facilities, security and proximity to the airport. The market can’t get enough of Eden Island, and so the developers have just released five new
two- to six-bedroom villas, each with private swimming pool. Clients may choose from seven villa designs by Ray Alexander, each with signature red roofs, Victorian- inspired architecture and internal layouts framing panoramic views. Set on a raised peninsula, these villas will offer spectacular views of four of Seychelles’ prettiest islands, where the ocean swirls around the land in a staggering array of blues. And if you like your water even closer, private steps down to the ocean mean you can practically snorkel in your own garden. Within the villas, a choice of pearl, coral and granite interior palettes is available, all echoing the natural colours and textures of the island. Furnishing homes in foreign countries can be a nightmare, so the island’s interior designers have created four decor schemes, with a complete range of complementary furniture, art and decor. They’ve thought of everything, from day beds to cocktail shakers, so all you have to do is choose. The villas are being released now in April and are scheduled for completion in 14 months’ time. They’re
priced from $2,95 million to $4,5 million (about R22,5 million to R34 million). Eden Island isn’t just a unique concept; it’s an astonishing success story. Over 380 residences have been sold to buyers from 38 countries, over 40% of them to South Africans. All properties are sold as freehold title, and the purchase qualifies buyers and their families for Seychelles’ residency. In addition to contributing $150 million (about R1 billion) in foreign direct investment to the economy, Eden Island has created more than 500 permanent jobs across Seychelles. Craig Heeger, CEO of Eden Island Development Company, says,‘We’re immensely proud of Eden Island. The architecture, landscaping and laid- back island lifestyle exceed what we promised.’ He’s right. But the real success of Eden Island is the way it makes you feel. In this frantic world, it’s hard to find the time or the space to actually enjoy life. Eden Island lets you do just that. With thanks to … Pam Golding Properties, Brian Gradner, +27 (0)82 361 4381, edenisland.sc
Opposite Aerial view of Eden Island over Anse Bernitier and the super-yacht marina to Mahé Island. This page, centre, clockwise from left Lunchtime traffic passing the lawn of a stunning sea-facing villa; maison bedroom and veranda overlooking the yacht basin in the Seychelles Now decor scheme; interior of a maison bathroom with Shell finish; living and dining area of a typical Eden Island maison with furnishings from the Island Light range. This page, bottom, left to right Villa living room designed in the popular Plantation style, with views across the ocean to Sainte Anne Island; aerial view of Eden Island over Anse Tec-tec.
thepropertymag.co.za | 19
ON SHOW
Blown
away
A supreme synergy of high-tech and the environment Words AndrĂŠ Fiore Photographs Val Adamson
This iconic home stands out from the rest on Simbithi Eco-Estate, near Ballito.
20 | April/May 2012
ON SHOW
W
Mandy Massey Interiors Garden & Home, +27 (0)39 315 0315
Mandy Massey Interiors, +27 (0)82 967 1620
Top The insulated beaded basket placed on the glass table was sourced from Ethiopia by Mandy Massey of Mandy Massey Interiors. It’s commonly used as a ‘lunch/hot box’ in its country of origin. Featuring the abundant use of silver, this piece once belonged to the royal household of Ethiopia. Above The use of silks, velvets and natural linen enhances the choice of mixed textures used in the main bedroom. Furniture and accessories from Mandy Massey Interiors’ retail store. All soft furnishings manufactured in the workshop of Mandy Massey Interiors.
hen the owner opened the doors of this just-completed house, she was speechless. ‘I couldn’t have imagined that anything could be so spectacular,’ she confides. That was just under three years ago and, situated in the lush Simbithi Eco-Estate, close to Ballito, this property still reflects every aspect of its original splendour. The preliminary design for this four-bedroom home was conceived by architect Mark Leslie-Smith of Mark Leslie-Smith Architects, and the owner selected the layout from one of the home package schemes offered by Simbithi. In conjunction with Mark, the design was further developed to better suit the owner’s needs, and, explains Mark, due to her progressive-mindedness and willingness to try new things, the house quickly became iconic. ‘Here was a client who was willing to push the boundaries a bit, and the result is a building that is technologically advanced and still in total harmony with the surrounding nature,’ says Mark. ‘We have, on the North Coast of KZN, a unique architectural style evolving, a style that is found nowhere else, and this home is a magnificent example of that.’ This uniqueness is immediately apparent when you enter the home. Its vibrancy is palpable. There is not one space in the house that is dull. There is not one place that doesn’t offer a visual link to the outside environment. ‘You can,’ explains the architect, ‘literally step outside at almost any point.’ Wrap-around decks, generous indoor-outdoor entertainment spaces and the compelling central courtyard and pool magnify this feature. And yet, while the outside here is everpresent, there is nothing naive about this space. The owner wanted an ultra-modern, Afro-ethnic ambience.The high ceilings, dashingly exposed trusses, slick steel and seamless glass create a fusion of modern style and contemporary line, while the timber, stone, water and oversized window and door spaces add an edginess to the outside elements and reflect the vision of the design team. In some cases, collaboration can result in an end product that is more than the sum of its parts, and this was most certainly the situation when interior designer Mandy Massey of Mandy Massey Interiors stepped in to work with the architect, the owner standing back, after initial plans were discussed. Including superb finishes throughout the house and a captivating blend of materials, colour, shapes, patterns and textures, the
thepropertymag.co.za | 21
ON SHOW
Architect profile: Mark Leslie-Smith ‘Architecture has been my business for 21 years and I continue to become excited at the prospect and challenge of creating something new and unique with each and every project undertaken,’ says architect Mark Leslie-Smith of Mark Leslie-Smith Architects. ‘The responsibility of developing and realising the dreams of one’s client is a task that is accepted with responsibility, as this is often the biggest investment the client has made in their lives. The importance of connecting with the client on a personal, intellectual and emotional level cannot, therefore, be underestimated, if the design and architecture is to realise the dream. ‘It is often the summation of the smaller things that creates the completion of the whole. The attention to the finer details and clean lines and the importance placed on honesty towards the environment and to the spaces created form the underlying thread of creating good buildings through good design. Every project is personal, important, and always designed by myself. ‘Secondly, because I hold a degree in horticulture, I regard the importance of meshing in with the environment, both on a micro and macro scale as necessary and as our moral responsibility. The recognition of the immediate environment is emphasised in our buildings through a clean and contemporary African style that harmonises technologically advanced structures and materials with earthy, natural colours and textures of the landscape and natural surroundings. The ingredients for good architecture are indeed many and varied, and always an exciting challenge to accept.’
22 | April/May 2012
GT Aluminium, +27 (0)31 572 4450
ON SHOW
Mono Block, +27 (0)32 947 0716
DAR Services, +27 (0)83 294 7720
Top left GT Aluminium contributes to the creation of beautiful homes and commercial buildings by supplying and fitting quality, aesthetically pleasing aluminium windows and doors. The company takes pride in offering good workmanship, and its meticulous attention to detail ensures utmost respect for its customers’ homes or properties. GT Aluminium is committed to complete and lasting customer satisfaction. Top right Mono Block offers a range of products and services for the civil and structural engineering industries in KZN. Services include civil and structural engineering design for houses, factories and schools, whilst products include lintels, suspended slabs, kerbs, rain channels, grass blocks, cobbles, cladding, reinforced concrete beam shuttering, precast fencing and precast concrete housing. Using DAR Services for a client’s security needs ensures that they are partnering with a company that places values, ethics and the provision of service of the highest calibre, above all else. DAR’s services include access control, garage doors, driveway gates and automation.
rich and bold African vernacular completes the whole. ‘Careful collaboration and money spent on the right aspects can lead to a house that blows your hair back, without breaking the bank,’ advises Mark. And lighting, in his eyes, is one of the prime areas where spending pays off. Cobinlight advised on this project, introducing recessed downlights to create subtle effect and superb bulkhead lighting that washes up against the ceilings. ‘It’s so easy with good lighting to highlight the extraordinary,’ Mark adds. Kitchens and bathrooms are other areas where it pays to take heed. Here, thanks to wise advice, signature bathrooms and a magnificent kitchen area add tremendous value. Smiling, the owner says, ‘I certainly listened to the architects. I was going to have my office above the garage, with outside steps going up, until Mark asked whether I’d like going out in the rain. Instead, now I have an office in one of the bedrooms and a self-contained guest unit above the garage – brilliant! I never expected to build on
an estate like this, but I have, and the home offers abundant sunlight, dam views, forests, trees and a world of birdlife, as well as the safety of being able to leave my doors and windows open, and walk, night or day. And with all this just minutes from the new airport, I’m loving every second of it!’ Suppliers List DAR Services – Home Security and Automation +27 (0)83 294 7720, davidkerr@vodamail.co.za, darservices.co.za GT Aluminium – Aluminium Windows and Doors +27 (0)31 572 4450, brent@gtaluminium.co.za, gtaluminium.co.za Mandy Massey Interiors – Interior Design +27 (0)82 967 1620, mandymasseyinteriors.co.za Mandy Massey Interiors Garden & Home – Artefacts Sourcing +27 (0)39 315 0315, mandymasseyinteriors.co.za Mark Leslie-Smith Architects – Architecture +27 (0)31 563 2354, +27 (0)83 358 5413, mark@mlsarch.co.za Mono Block – Civil and Structural Engineering & Design +27 (0)32 947 0716, monoblock.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 23
KWAZULU-NATAL WINTER WARMERS
WRAPPED UP FOR WINTER
IN KWAZULU-NATAL
GAME for everything
It’s time to invert the stereotype and experience the best of South Africa. So, grab your duffle coat, don your mittens, and be pleasantly surprised. As we move into the cooler months, staying at home snuggled on the couch becomes our default setting. In the following pages we round up some exciting new decor products that will help to keep you cosy, and we bring
Go wild and get warm at Nambiti Plains Private Game Lodge outside Ladysmith, where adrenalin on Big Five game drives peaks often enough and long enough to ward off the chill
you the specialists’ heads-up on this season’s decor trends. However, there is also lots to keep you busy away from home, including a handful of the prettiest, most delightful mountain lodges, a game lodge on Durbs’ doorstep and a perfect, year-round beach resort.
Words Anne Schauffer Photographs Supplied
M
ummified in a blanket, hands wrapped around a mug of steaming hot chocolate, standing in a vast landscape tinted in near-winter colours. Nothing else matters but the moment. It’s the halfway mark on an early morning game drive at Nambiti Private Game Reserve near Ladysmith, and thin ribbons of mist play over the rocks of a waterfall and river, our scenic setting for the hot-drink stop. The five-star Namibiti Plains Private Game Lodge is one of a number of lodges in this northern KZN reserve, but it’s one of very few with no fences between you and the wildlife. That intimacy with nature is very real, a little edgy, and not imagined. At night, it’s mandatory to be escorted to your suite, and you wouldn’t want it any other way. Wild footprints in the dust or dew each morning are testimony to some large overnight visitors. This is Big Five country, and it’s theirs. The main lodge is exquisitely detailed and furnished, and the towering drystone walling around the dancing fires draws you in from the cold. Off the lodge’s lounge, dining and pub areas is a vast deck, partially sheltered by an imposing tree and dotted with loungers and lazy seating, and there’s a real drawcard here: a waterhole, just beyond the deck, and it’s rare not to see game coming to drink.
A procession of elephant, giraffe, waterbuck and warthog entertain, while the birdlife supplants any need for a sound system. Wrap up in a blanket, and wait for the show. You won’t wait long. Nambiti Plains has five glorious stand-alone thatched suites, each with a private wrap-around deck accessed through glass doors the full width of the accommodation. Bathe, sleep and shower with an uninterrupted view of the bush and whatever lurks there. For the winter daredevil, the outdoor shower is a very cold commune with nature, a wacky wake-up call for the game drive. Underfloor heating in the suites turns winter into wonderful. A vast king-size bed, piled high with a soft, thick duvet and Egyptian cotton linen, invites a zizz after a predawn game drive and hearty breakfast. Game drives at Nambiti Plains are special, with knowledgeable guides who really do possess that sixth sense. And as the sun goes down, a giant burnt-orange full moon clinching the deal, you clink glasses to the wonderful sightings and the promise of a boma evening round a raging African fire, and Durban seems so very far away … And yet it’s under three hours’ drive; Johannesburg, +27 (0)71 680 4584, four. The great escape. nambitiplains.com
Main lounge at Nambiti Plains Game Lodge. 2–3A spacious guest bedroom and en-suite bathroom
1
with free-standing tub. 4Outdoor dining in the boma rounds off the African wilderness experience.
24 | April/May 2012
KWAZULU-NATAL WINTER WARMERS
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KWAZULU-NATAL WINTER WARMERS
Sherry on top
For the classic combination of genuinely warm hospitality, superb spa experiences, charming accommodation and wonderful food, there are not too many places that can beat KwaZulu-Natal when it comes to winter hideaways. But if cliffs and wide-open fields aren’t for you, then there’s a sunny beach getaway for your pleasure too.
BEACH BREAK The bonus ball at Fairmont Zimbali Resort is its location – only 40 minutes from Durban. The resort welcomes day guests as well as those checking in for a little extended pampering, and offers world-class relaxation and recreation. Set among the rolling hills, beside the shimmering sea of the Ballito coast, this resort offers visitors the option of a warm and sunny beach break – in midwinter – and there is a host of sports facilities to keep you healthily occupied. The many dining options include catering for special health needs, and wintery high teas enjoyed with the lovely views. +27 (0)32 538 5000, fairmont.com/zimbaliresort
STORY TIME Sheltered by Spionkop hill, Three Tree Hill Lodge, with its spectacular scenery, locally grown food and charming hosts, makes a great family getaway, with dollops of homeliness and some gripping history too. Roaring winter fires and a comfortably colonial feel set the scene for relaxation and rejuvenation and listening to stories about the nearby Battlefields. Meals are hearty home cooking, and while the outdoors is very much on the cards, with horse trails, hiking, birding, game walks, and cycling, you can simply kick back and chill on your private deck or on the wrap-around veranda while the kids go off exploring with the dogs. The lodge has achieved Green Leaf status with the Wilderness Foundation as well as a Platinum Diners Club Wine Award for its list of local wines. +27 (0)36 448 1171, threetreehill.co.za
26 | April/May 2012
KWAZULU-NATAL WINTER WARMERS
BODY AND SOUL Indigo Fields Country House and Spa, near Nottingham Road in the Midlands, is picture-book farm country with horses and hay, dirt roads and Land Rovers. Jennifer and Paul Hindle, their family and their team run this quiet, restorative little day spa and overnighter. Apart from the five or so cosy bedrooms, there’s a separate cottage for couples or groups. Indigo Fields is intimate, yet you’ll rarely interact with others wallowing there. Perfect. You can almost touch the calm, whether you’re being given a long, slow Indian head massage in a warm boma by the river, or are curled up in front of the roaring fire in the lounge, eating home-made truffles. Cuisine is taken seriously, and the word ‘home-made’ crops up joyfully in delectable breads, thick soups and most everything else. +27 (0)33 266 6101, indigofields.co.za
ARTS AND CULTURE Nuzzling into the shoulders of the Drakensberg’s Kamberg Valley, Qambathi Mountain Lodge offers oodles of romance and pampering. Designed by Gerhard le Roux of Theunissen Jankowitz Architects, the lodge boasts a feast of textures and textiles that make unwinding irresistible. Outside, the stone-and-timber bone structure with corrugated roof sheeting – hello, clattering rain – forms a framework for expansive decks and hanging chairs, while indoors the custom-made decor and artwork highlight an inviting fusion of warm woods, copper, aluminium, stainless steel, hand-blown glassware and Zulu beading. Qambathi’s winter delights include stargazing and wine tasting beside the boma fire, blazing indoor fires, and underfloor heating throughout. The menu is based on cuisine from diverse African cultures. There are also sumptuous picnic baskets Words André Fiore and Anne Schauffer
and meze platters complemented with wine from the well-stocked cellar, for glorious winter days in the Drakensberg. Qambathi is situated within easy reach of the Midlands Meander, Kamberg’s Rock Art Centre and hiking trails. +27 (0)33 267 7515, qambathi.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 27
WINTER WARMERS HOT PROPERTY
WINTER COLOUR FORECAST – WARM AND BRIGHT! Anne Roselt, colour manager at
Cool fusion ENRAPTURED
Plascon, gives us her insight into
This extremely comfy, locally produced modular seating
winter colour trends for interiors.
range, the Rapt Collection, is definitely geared towards winter chilling. It’s available in a host of pop colours
The good news is that we are still
and a range of materials, including velvets, cotton
seeing lots of colour this winter. But
linens, velveteen and, for the outdoors, coated
the cold means that we are naturally
canvas. Use it to add interest to any living area.
drawn to warmer colours, so we are
Available from the Modern Home Company in Green
sure to see Pantone’s colour of the
Point, Cape Town and Kramerville, Johannesburg.
year, Tangerine Tango, adding some
Nationwide delivery. +27 (0)21 434 0611,
heat. Orange is also good to introduce
+27 (0)11 262 0258, modernhome.co.za
to a colour scheme, as it is a cheerful, playful and sociable colour. If bright orange is not for you, have a look
FURRY AND FABULOUS
at the Origins palette in the Plascon
Graphica Textiles, well known for its leather and
2012 Colour Forecast. Toffee Fudge
leather- like fabrics, has recently launched in South
is a muted version of orange that has
Africa, bringing us a new range of accessories called
many of its traits. Greens are bound to
Winter Home. The collection consists of sophisticated
stick around for winter. Organic prints
faux fur throws and cushions that are made of hi-tech
are inspiring many of the greens we’re
modacrylic fibres, are easy to care for and are difficult
seeing. Natural colours provide a
to tell apart from genuine fur. You will find Graphica
wonderful background for all colours
Textiles’ showroom in Kramerville, Johannesburg.
and they never go out of fashion. For
Orders can be placed online, too. +27 (0)11 493 6833,
some added romance, muted pinks
graphica-textiles.co.za
can be added to the naturals. Also still strong for winter are golds, bronzes and coppers, as found in the Plascon Designer range of metallics. Colour
FIRECRACKER
blocking, geometric shapes and
The Avani is a compact ceramic bioethanol fireplace that also serves as an interesting
cheques are all big this winter. It’s a
ornament. Don’t be fooled by its size, though. This little wonder has a thermal output of
wonderful time to find something that
10 000 Btu (British thermal units), making it a very effective heating source. The best
really inspires you. +27 (0)21 417 1111,
part about it is its portability – you can move it from room to room as needed. Get it from
plasconspaces.co.za
Beauty Fires in Woodstock, Cape Town, and Kramerville, Joburg. Or order online for courier
Words Genevieve Fisher Photographs Supplied
delivery to your door. +27 (0)21 461 9821, +27 (0)11 262 0258, beautyfires.com
28 | April/May 2012
WINTER WARMERS
What better excuse to deck out your interiors than a change of season? LOVE IN THE TIME OF WINTER The Juno love seat by Casamento wowed visitors to this year’s Design Indaba. A perfect perch for lovers to get
Q&A Chris Zimberlin of Limeline Interiors, importer of designer European furniture, tells us what’s hot this winter.
close, it is upholstered in grey stonewashed flax linen and embroidered with bamboo yarns in a delightfully romantic
Q: What are your top tips for
red pattern. The inners are made up of 50% recycled fibres
redesigning an interior space for the
and 50% latex foam. Available in store in Woodstock, Cape
colder months?
Town, or order online. National and international delivery available. +27 (0)21 448 6183, casamento.co.za
A: If you belong to the group of fortunate people who have fireplaces, winter will concentrate around this. To redesign an interior space will mostly mean taking the emphasis away from the views towards the more homely and family-orientated features of the house. If you don’t already have one, try introducing a central heating element. A fireplace would be an ideal solution, but there are less expensive options, such as the BioFire. Avoid cold tiles on the floor – loose rugs will quickly give a warm feeling. Avoid large open windows – the correct window treatment will certainly make a difference. Introduce cosy, comfortable seating elements that fit snugly around a person and give a secluded, warm feeling, and finally, invest in a good, warm throw. Q: Any new pieces at Limeline that epitomise the term ‘winter warmer’? A: The classic Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen is back – don’t make
IRREGULAR BUT SPECTACULAR
the mistake of buying a fake! The Sfatto ‘cuddle and snuggle’ sofa by Francesco Binfaré for Edra is very
Although it’s called a rug, the Zoom Rug by Nanimarquina
wintery, and the new woollen rugs
looks more like a snuggle pod for the floor. The long-
by Patricia Urquiola and heavy luxury
haired rug is irregular in shape and is complemented
throws from Minotti will definitely
by a cushion of the same colour. In addition to being an
warm up any room.
attractive ornament, the cushion invites you to sit, lie down
+27 (0)21 424 8682, limeline.co.za
or do whatever you feel most comfy doing on the warm surface, making it ideal for winter relaxation. Available from Créma Design’s showroom in Green Point, Cape Town. Order from the Cape Town shop – they deliver nationwide. +27 (0)21 434 0661, cremadesign.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 29
Prop Mag F/P April 3/30/12 9:01 AM Page 1 C
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DESIGN profile
of the artist The road from designer and illustrator to artist seems paved with way more than good intentions Words Anne Schauffer Photographs Roger Jardine
thepropertymag.co.za | 31
DESIGN Profile
‘T
his is a 2m x 1,5m canvas that I goldleafed, then plastered with cast dolls’ heads and hands, broken bottles, plastic beads and black silicone. And for this piece, I used bagfuls of ladies old underwear. Much of the art I made for my last two shows was just about knowing what I wanted to achieve, then going through the motions of making it happen. That’s why I’ve gone back to painting – for that immediate thrill of creation.’ Richard Hart. Y ou recognise the name or face, but can’t quite think where or why. Was he the guy on the surfboard alongside you in the water this morning, has he developed a visual identity or a sexy brochure for your brand, or did you love what he said at the Design Indaba conference last year? Until recently, Richard’s world revolved largely around graphic design: his studio, Disturbance, has a reputation for extraordinary work, a fact supported by a flock of Loeries and industry acknowledgements as varied as his recent invitation to guest-edit and
32 | April/May 2012
design Where It’s At, a publication commissioned by Design Indaba and intended as a survey of the state of African design. A few years back, though, Richard started painting. It began as a casual extension of his work as an illustrator, but he soon became immersed in developing a deeper understanding of Art: ‘I became pretty compulsive. If I was in London or New York, I’d spend all my time in galleries. It was really an obsessive, self-initiated crash course.’ Richard takes great care to keep a distance between the two worlds of illustration and art. It wasn’t always like that, though. Lingua Franca, his first hometown exhibition at the KZNSA Gallery, was strongly textbased, and although it worked on many levels, he feels a lesson was lurking there: ‘Working the way I did with text and type was too close to what I do as a designer. It was an experiment, to see whether I could apply my design skills to my art practice. Ultimately, it muddied the waters too much for my liking, though it did give me a taste for creating art that was not two-dimensional.’
He’s back to painting, for now: ‘The style of my illustration work can change considerably from one brief to the next. It’s usually quite stylised, and I often draw directly from my imagination, without using reference material. By contrast, my paintings are fairly realistic representational works. I use a lot of photographic reference that I shoot myself. I guess it’s my way of keeping the two worlds apart.’ That separation has taken time. Kind Pockets, his first show, held at the Whatiftheworld Gallery in Cape Town, was a series of paintings based on an idea of marsupial women. Today, he’s uncomfortable with the work: ‘They’re very much illustrations, not paintings. Still, as I progressed with the work, each successive piece moved closer to becoming a painting. I was happiest with this last one – that’s a painting.’ Richard’s work doesn’t begin easily or swiftly.The current series, of which four paintings are complete, has been over a year in the making. There’s a strong element of performance art to these works, and every painting is the end product of a long process. Each
DESIGN PROFILE
image is planned in sketch form, then set up in studio or on location, and photographed. For his Berlin show, Within Within, he collaborated with fashion designer Amanda Laird Cherry. For this new series, he’s worked with fashion designer Brendon Sturrock to create a wardrobe of more than 20 different garments: hoods, masks and cloaks. He’s also created props and sets, including two cardboard towers and a large speaker box sculpture covered in buck hide, which he may or may not display alongside the painting that includes it. Richard loves the theatre of it all. A grin. ‘I could have just painted these things from my head, rather than making them, but this is the process that seems to have emerged. Every artist needs to develop something uniquely their own, and maybe creating these elaborate setups, photographing them and then painting them is my thing.’ For his current series, he still has another 21 photographs that need to be realised as paintings. The working title for these works is Ways to live. Forever. It’s an exploration of notions of religion, ritual,
mysticism, magic and technology, a primitivism for the 21st century, if you will. Richard creates bodies of work rather than single images: ‘I feel that one-off paintings really have to stand on their own. I’m not there yet. I take comfort in creating these families of work.’ But there’s another reason. In each of his four exhibitions, the work’s been a departure from what has gone before. He considers this as part of the process of finding his groove: ‘If you want to succeed as an artist, you can’t be all over the place. You need some kind of consistency of vision, and that’s what I’ve been grappling with – trying to figure out what that is. And I’m happy with that. I’m still way at the beginning of my career as an artist.’ For now, painting is his chosen art form, but it’s quite possible the pendulum will swing elsewhere. Whatever medium he takes to, it’s certain his work will convey a sense of mystery and drama and even a faint lack of understanding. It’s a journey into the unknown. And he’s fine with that. disturbance.co.za; richardhart.co.za
Opening page Richard in his basement studio. Opposite Art and design combine to form an integral part of the Hart home. This page, left, top to bottom New works from the series, Ways to live. Forever. Middle, top to bottom Work from the marsupial women series, Kind Pockets. Right, top to bottom A sampling of Richard’s graphic design work.
thepropertymag.co.za | 33
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Living In …
In bed with
Ballito Ballito’s property values are becoming as golden as the beaches of the Dolphin Coast Words Tammy Sutherns Photographs Supplied
Snowballing ‘little ball’ As more and more people have made this beautiful beach town their home, Ballito has seen shopping malls, schools and facilities becoming part of the coastal landscape. Ballito Lifestyle Centre captures the heart of the beach traffic, offering corner coffee shops, fabulous restaurants and the latest trends in shopping, with a few surfboards thrown in. Ballito Bay Mall is another hot shopping and restaurant spot for when a break from the sand, sea and sun is needed. There are also plenty of delicious dishes to choose from at favourite restaurants, from romantic dinners to family feasts. Restaurants in the area include Olive and Oil, Al Pescatore, Tin Roof and Mo-Zam-Bik. In terms of education, families can rely on schools like Crawford College North Coast, Dolphin Coast Pre-Primary School, Ashton International College Ballito and a variety of preschools and crèches.
thepropertymag.co.za | 35
Living In …
What the agents say We chat to Wendy McMurray of McMurray Real Estate, Tim Johnson of Seeff Dolphin Coast and Fiona Crago of Fiona Crago Real Estate.
Q Why would you encourage people to invest in Ballito?
Wendy: Apart from the obvious property investment options, it has to be the Ballito lifestyle that offers the greatest returns to those who invest here. Ballito doesn’t hold the same challenges as larger metropolitans with regard to traffic and crime. With easy access to large, open spaces and beaches, the area offers affordable if not free entertainment on weekends. While there are some challenges with macro-infrastructure, the day-to-day facilities are easy to access, make commuting simple and easy and put shopping, schools and health care all within a 10km radius. Whilst all-round growth has been tempered, King Shaka International Airport continues to spark interest in the North Coast and sees five million commuters a year flying over Ballito. Gauteng, the heart of the country’s economy, is now a short drive and flight away from being on the doorstep of the North Coast. And Ballito is on the N2, the key corridor between Durban and Richard’s Bay harbour.
Q What types of homes are available and what can potential owners expect in terms of price range?
Tim: Property in the area is wide-ranging, from affordable apartments and residential homes to upmarket estate properties and beachfront villas reaching prices of R35 million and up. There are also a number of vacant land options inside and outside the gated estates, with land in Simbithi, for example, costing between R700 000 and R3 million and land in Zimbali costing between R895 000 and R12 million. Established estates, such as Prince’s Grant, still offer incredible value, considering the unspoilt views and world-class golf course. Palm Lakes, a relative newcomer to the region, offers a fantastic, secure, gated product for young families and executives, with land starting at R300 000, apartments from R860 000 and freehold homes starting at R1,45 million. This estate is also proud to welcome the addition of Trinity College, which is due to open in 2013. This will add a huge amount of value to the product and its pricing and to the region as a whole. Fiona: There is a vast number of freehold homes in a range of architectural styles, including Tuscan, Cape Cod, Natal Veranda, Polish and Grecian, to name a few. The various gated estates offer a variety of designs that take into account the desirable climate and beautiful surrounds.
Q Is the area gaining in value?
Tim: Growth in the local property market remains moderate. However, many buyers are still investing in property at reduced prices, with a long-term investment view. Considering the unprecedented historical growth, we don’t expect much growth for the next 12 months. But, given the medium- to longterm plan for economic development in the region and the fast-changing demographic, we are extremely positive about the future.
Q Is living or working in Ballito a good investment?
Fiona: Most definitely: the area is about to take off, there is a huge influx of businesses and professionals from Johannesburg and surrounds, and large corporates and manufacturers are moving into the area as a result of the new King Shaka airport.
Q What’s changed in Ballito over the past 10 years?
Wendy: Whilst still a town, Ballito has evolved from a pure holiday town to one that sustains its own economy outside the bustling holiday seasons. Ballito Business Park, where many commercial businesses have been thriving and growing over the past few years, has grown significantly. The architectural style of property has also changed, with influences from estates such as Zimbali and Simbithi leading the way, changing the landscape from rolling sugar cane hills to upmarket residential homes that have large appeal. Property and lifestyle continue to drive change in Ballito as more and more people migrate from Gauteng, predominantly to the coast. King Shaka International Airport has also played a significant role in facilitating this, allowing people to commute easily for business whilst still enjoying the quality of life that coastal living in Ballito offers.
36 | March 2012
This spread, top left to right Two homes on Simbithi Eco- Estate. The first, from Fiona Crago Real Estate, is valued at R5,75 million. The second, from Wendy McMurray Real Estate, is priced at R5,55 million. Centre left to right Seeff Dolphin Coast’s area of expertise; a Sheffield Beach home valued at R9,5 million, from Fiona Crago Real Estate.
T
ucked away in sugar cane fields and lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, the town of Ballito, only half an hour north of Durban, has become a gem for property investors, families and tourists. Although it has only officially been a town for the past 50 years, the area has long been a popular destination for holidaymakers. Ballito has seen scores of residential, commercial and retail developments as well as schools popping up in the past few years, but it has managed to hold on to its small-beach-town feeling. With thanks to … Fiona Crago Real Estate, +27 (0)32 946 1439, fionacrago.co.za Seeff Dolphin Coast, +27 (0)32 586 0170, seeff.com Wendy McMurray Real Estate, +27 (0)32 946 3003, mcmurrayrealestate.co.za
Time out Ballito’s beaches provide swimming, surfing, suntanning and dolphin- and whale-watching opportunities for residents and holidaymakers alike. Some of the favourite spots are Willard Beach, Clarke Bay and Salmon Bay. For the more adventurous, there’s also scuba diving. The town’s proximity to King Shaka International Airport makes it an excellent location for travellers, particularly those who want to escape from a bustling city. Restless sportspeople can make use of some of the country’s best golf courses, such as Prince’s Grant, Simbithi, Zimbali and Umhlali. There are game parks and picnic sites where families and friends can enjoy a day out in the bush. The King Shaka, Albert John Luthuli, Battlefields and Forts heritage routes provide a day out for culture vultures. And as for the partygoers, pubs, bars and restaurants litter the sidewalks, offering a nightlife right next to the lapping sea.
HOT PROPERTY
HOT mandate
S
ituated along the prestigious and highly sought-after Milkwood Drive in Zimbali Coastal Resort, this newly completed home boasts a fresh, light-filled and modern design. Only the best finishes and high-end kitchen appliances have been used to cater for the discerning investor, and the home has been specifically designed to make full use of the unspoilt views, both in a northerly and southerly direction along the coastline. Incorporating both a front entertainment deck and a sheltered back garden and swimming pool leading off from a separate TV room, this insightful design makes the property impressively practical for inclement coastal weather conditions by providing a variety of entertainment options.
There are four en-suite bedrooms, two with impressive sea views, a multifunctional en-suite outside room, two guest bathrooms, separate scullery and pantry, spacious TV lounge, double garage with storeroom and golf cart parking. A standout feature is the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that extends to the outdoor deck. Situated close to Zimbali Coastal Resort’s leisure pools, and offering sea views and easy beach access, this home is the ultimate in lock-up-and go luxury. Keenly priced at R13,995 million, this is one of the better value propositions in this world-class coastal resort and will not be on the market for long. For more information, contact Tim Johnson on +27 (0)82 424 6202 or email tim.johnson@seeff.com.
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Resort living at its best
Park your golf cart and enter a higher dimension of luxury seaside existence
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The design of this home capitalises on the arresting views of the ocean from the majority of rooms. 2The open-plan living area and kitchen is bright and spacious.
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Clean, modern architectural lines define this Zimbali Coastal Resort home. 4The view from the front patio.
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If you would like to have your hot mandate featured, email editorial@medianova.co.za.
thepropertymag.co.za | 37
ASK THE THEEXPERTS EXPERTS ASK
THE BOOK OF
SAMPLES
38 | April/May 2012
A prophetic guide to this season’s heavenly fabrics Photographs Michael Glenister Location Envy Lounge, Sandton City
ASK THE EXPERTS
HALOGEN INTERNATIONAL
HERTEX FABRICS
HOME FABRICS
THE FABRIC LIBRARY
Gail Butler, Managing Director
Katrin Herrmann-Van Dyk, Sales Director
Haidee Kramer, Director
Angus Lindsay, Sales Manager
What makes your company a leader in the fabrics game? Halogen International is a leader in the fabric industry because of the quality of our products as well as the wide selection that we have on offer. We have a large collection of locally stocked fabrics and represent a number of top international fabric and wallpaper brands, such as Andrew Martin, Pepe Peñalver, Duralee and York. Why do you love fabrics? A change of fabrics can alter the ambience of a home and give your space a complete facelift. There is such an enormous selection of fabric available to us that we are spoilt for choice. What is your top winter fabric for this season, and where is the best place for its use? Velvets, in various textures and colours. Velvets can be used in all applications, sofas, curtains and accessories. Velvets with a distressed texture seem to be the most sought after this season. We have a wide selection available for you to feast your eyes on. The latest trends in fabric? Mixing patterns, colours and textures together. Faux leathers that have a sophisticated edge, and of course, velvets and satins, which add a touch of glamour. In terms of colour, the pairing of true reds, plum, amber and gold seems to be coming through strongly this season.
What makes your company a leader in the fabrics game? Hertex is 25 years old this year. We believe that our focus on the needs of our customers is key to our success. In our world, the customer comes first, no matter what. As a family business, we are focused on sustainability and quality. This has assisted us in our growth over the years. Why do you love fabrics? Fabrics are so tactile and subjective. There is always something new to choose from and it is such a dynamic and ever-changing environment. I was brought up with fabrics and I remember running around the mill as a toddler. I would say fabric runs in my veins. What is your top winter fabric for this season, and where is the best place for its use? Colour is making a comeback, but greys and beiges are still top sellers. Bring in some bold pattern on small pieces, cushions or blinds. Traditional winter fabrics, such as wools or felt, have never been a big hit in South Africa, but it is seen as a trend in the northern hemisphere. The latest trends in fabric? More and more prints – digital, botanical, novelty and loads of colour. Vintage florals, finishes, stonewashed leather and linens. Recycled will become more and more popular. Plain fabrics enjoy high-technology finishes, such as glazing, brushing and tumbling.
What makes your company a leader in the fabrics game? Home Fabrics has the largest variety of fabrics available, not only in our own collection, but also in the many famous international brands that we distribute. Why do you love fabrics? Fabrics are in my blood and are integral to my life. They bring such joy and pleasure as they appeal to so many of our senses. They are visually exciting and are wonderfully tactile, enhancing our homes and our lives. What is your top winter fabric for this season, and where is the best place for its use? We are launching a luxurious new velvet-style quality called Swanky, which comes in 32 rich, exotic colours. It feels glorious and it is also easy to care for and really durable, so it’s ideal for use in the family home. The latest trends in fabric? For winter, we are looking at lots of plush pile fabrics and fabrics with lots of texture and dimension. Our latest Monsoon collection is a perfect example, with its rich, wintery colours and soft, luxurious textures. How can fabric be used to create a warm feeling in the home? The more the merrier, we say. Fabric really helps to create a warm ambience in a home, as opposed to the use of blinds and shutters, which create a cooler, more clinical look.
What makes your company a leader in the fabrics game? We have been a household name in the industry for over 35 years and have a wonderful selection of affordable fabrics. Why do you love fabrics? Once the bug bites, one is really smitten, and I have loved my many years in this industry. What is your top winter fabric for this season, and where is the best place to use it? We have a stunning new range called Hotseat that we are launching this month and it is really perfect for the coming winter season. The stripe design, Boss, is going to be a winner, with its wonderful texture and striking colour combinations. This fabric is ideal for use on furniture, headboards and for accessories. The latest trends in fabric? One of the big stories at the moment is ‘green’ fabrics, and the Fabric Library is proud to be launching a selection of ‘green’ fabrics with the necessary certification that confirms that they have been manufactured with no harmful chemicals and that the process is environmentally friendly. How can fabric be used to create a warm feeling in the home? It always makes a difference in a room if one has great curtains, as they create an ambience and insulate a room.
+27 (0)11 448 2060,
+27 (0)31 312 0632,
+27 (0)11 262 3492,
+27 (0)11 265 9000,
info@halogen.co.za
hertex.co.za
homefabrics.co.za
fabriclibrary.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 39
WITH OUR SOLID
LEVY STABILISATION FUND YOU WON’T BE IN FOR ANY SURPRISES
Living at Le Domaine means financial peace of mind. Due to the robust Levy Stabilisation Fund and its continued growth, future levy increases will be kept well below the rate of inflation. Village Versailles, the final phase of this active adult community is now under construction, presenting the last opportunity to purchase here at off plan prices starting from R969 000, or on the life rights scheme. Just two of the many good reasons to invest in your future at Le Domaine.
Sales Office: 031 716 8008 100 Acutts Drive, Hillcrest www.ledom.co
ARCHITECT PROFILE
LOOKS GOOD, works great
‘Professional, accomplished and innovative’ describes the partnership of Leigh Bishop and Adelein Cahi of Leigh Bishop Architects Words Anne Schauffer Profile photograph Val Adamson
Above Leigh Bishop and Adelein Cahi at their brand-new offices at the Square on the prestigious La Lucia Ridge.
thepropertymag.co.za | 41
ARCHITECT PROFILE
T
ogether, they’ve an impressive 20 years of experience in the field, yet they’re young, with an enviably youthful energy and passion for their profession. Leigh Bishop and Adelein Cahi are Leigh Bishop Architects (LBA) and, together with their team, they have just moved north into new offices at the Square on La Lucia Ridge. For them, it’s a question of growing the practice in the right direction – the booming North Coast. The practice is three years old. Adelein joined a year ago. The pair brings usefully different work histories, skills and talents to this architectural partnership, so two creative minds are brought to bear on all projects. They don’t work solo within the practice, but choose to collaborate, so as to offer a depth of perspective and opinion on every design they tackle: ‘Refining our ideas together always provides a better result.’ The advantage for clients is obvious: ‘It’s important we’re both working from the same set of principles, that what we are offering is in line with the client’s beliefs. This results in a far superior product.’ Leigh and Adelein studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban. Leigh studied law for a few years before switching to architecture, a discipline
42 | April/May 2012
that, she acknowledges wryly, was always her first love. Once qualified, she spent a few years at prestigious practices, such as Urban Edge Architects (part of Boogertman & Partners) in Johannesburg and Elphick Proome Architects in Durban, achieving the status of associate at both firms. After short stints at Transnet Projects and Sagnelli Associate Architects, Leigh was ready to open her own practice. That was 2009. Adelein followed a different path. She studied interior design. During those years, she developed a fascination for steel and structural work, and so followed up with an architecture degree. Ironically, the partners studied at the same institution, at the same time, but it wasn’t until a few years later that their paths crossed again and they recognised in each other professional skills that would mesh perfectly into a strong practice. At the outset, Leigh Bishop Architects had one major client, a private developer specialising in clinics and hospitals. Tellingly, he’s stayed with LBA since the beginning. It was the perfect springboard for Leigh, but as LBA expanded and other projects came on board (residential homes, multi-storeys) she found she
needed a partner. Adelein’s experience, particularly with detailing, was the perfect foil to Leigh’s skills. Ask the partners to describe their approach to architecture, and their answer is straightforward: ‘We aim to create a building which can grow with you, sits gently in the landscape and is comfortable to live, work and play in.’ Neither Leigh nor Adelein pigeonhole their architecture into a particular genre or style, but when pressed they say, ‘Good proportions, modernist, purist, clean lines, and elegant forms.’ They don’t consider green design as a concept, but rather as a simple return to good building practice and design: ‘All architects should be operating on the principles of good orientation, sun shading and efficient use of resources as a default. It should be second nature. We also believe that responsibility in terms of historical design is important. What exists now and what came before will always inform what is to come. ‘We strive always to innovate by building on good, learned principles. We want to create architecture that not only looks good, but functions and is enjoyable from the inside out.’
ARCHITECT PROFILE
We aim to create a building which can grow with you, sits gently in the landscape and is comfortable to live, work and play in
Adelein’s interior design experience means that LBA is well equipped to focus as much on the fine inside design and detail as on the outside. LBA is currently involved in a number of projects: a nine-storey clinic complex, which is under construction, and private residences. And then there’s LBA’s proposed 30-storey office building for the Durban CBD. ‘For this latter one, we hope to create a tipping point for the rejuvenation of the city’s urban fabric,’ they explain. ‘City Architects has made a huge contribution in terms of rethinking the Durban beachfront, and as built-form professionals, we should do everything we can to encourage and perpetuate this forward motion in the CBD. We see immense untapped potential in Durban.’ Leigh and Adelein are not convinced that a true African architectural aesthetic exists yet. But they do believe that a body of work and theory is emerging, one that will eventually lead to a collective identity. And they give a collective grin when they discuss projects they dream of designing, where they’ll explore both an integration of past and present and a meeting and marrying of modern and ancient materials. Adelein yearns to create a glass-and-steel
penthouse on top of an iconic Durban art deco high-rise, while Leigh envisions an innovative built project on Robben Island, one that combines the history of the Struggle with the natural beauty of the location and South Africa at large. The partners at Leigh Bishop Architects are as capable of working within the strict parameters demanded by hospitals and clinics as they are of reinventing an old Durban North home as a modern, functional space while retaining its sense of place and history. From residential and public spaces to commercial and industrial structures, Leigh Bishop and Adelein Cahi provide a professional, creative and insightful service to their diverse range of clients.
This spread, clockwise from top left Proposed 30-storey tower block, Durban CBD; retail renovation, Johannesburg; luxury private residence, Botswana; retail renovation, Johannesburg; proposed banking headquarters, Point, Durban; first-floor plan for luxury residence, Botswana; exterior and interior view of luxury residence, La Lucia, Durban. Inset Multibuilding clinic complex under construction.
With thanks to … Leigh Bishop Architects, Suite FF 12, 250 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, La Lucia. Leigh, +27 (0)79 495 3448, info@leighbishoparch.co.za, leighbishoparch.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 43
COASTAL ESTATE
CHOOSE FROM 2 AND 3 BEDROOM FREESTANDING HOMES, ENJOY WALKING TRAILS, BIRDING, FRIENDSHIP, TRANQUILITY AND A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FUN Why buy in Phase 1 at Forest Village? t Vista Construction has a proven track record of building retirement villages since 1997 (LeDomaine, Somerset Valley & Ridgewood at Mt Edgecombe) t Become part of the existing community of happy homeowners t Privacy and space between the homes t Functioning community centre & clinic t 2 International Awards for Best Retirement Development in SA 2008/2010 COME & SEE FOR YOURSELF!
AWARD WINNING BEST RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENT 2008 / 2010 For further information, contact 082 658 1181 or email info@forestvillage.co.za
R O IT ED um T Joc ES la U o G P
Real estate
residential & commercial
Staying the course has its
rewards With 32 years’ experience in real estate, multiple-award-winning agent Pola Jocum questions whether much has changed in the industry due to continued economic uncertainty
Main image 123RF.com Portrait photograph Supplied
I
have been in the real estate industry for over three decades, and together with my daughter and business partner, Nadine Jocum, I have built up a reputation that is based on trust, experience, expertise and resilience. Today, faced with reports of a tough property market, I can’t help but think just how short our memories are. I’ve witnessed the booms and busts, and while the latter have been some of the most challenging years, staying the course has its rewards. There can be no doubt that technology, from the Web to mobile technology, has dramatically impacted our industry and significantly influenced consumer behaviour, and although our business continues to evolve, my philosophy remains that while I cannot change the market, I can control the marketing. Agents have to adapt to the prevailing conditions, and be innovative. When the rest of the market was quiet, we sold R50-million in real estate in August, a historically quiet month, and gave out references that resulted in record sales of R40 million in Fresnaye, R10 million in Sunset Beach and a joint sale of R24,5 million in Llandudno.
Matching a buyer to the right property at the right price and on the right terms has always been a challenge. Previously, buyers could only get a bond if there was an existing bond on the property or if they could find an investor to secure the loan. Since the introduction of the National Credit Act in 2007, lending criteria have tightened up considerably. The expectations of the sellers have always exceeded what buyers are prepared to pay. If there is good value, the property will sell. If not, it will stay on the market and may undersell in the end. Let me illustrate: a modest house on an excellently located plot in Camps Bay sold in 1994 for R550 000. Although initially unrealistically priced at R7,25 million, it sold for R6 million in 2009. This could be seen as a price drop of 20%. In reality, it was a fair price and not related to a depressed market. While the market may move sideways during an economic downturn, my approach is that a deal is never dead. I have on many occasions brought the buyer and seller back to the negotiating table.
Property is one of the best-performing asset classes. In 1979, the average price for a house in Camps Bay was just R33 000. By 1997, I had broken through the R4 million barrier with a record R4,75 million sale, and sold the same property again in 2007 for R14 million. This year has started off on a positive note, with increased buyer activity, but sellers are cautioned that they need to work with a skilled agent and heed their advice as to the correct market price. While market conditions undoubtedly favour buyers, those who are still unrealistically waiting to buy at the lowest price may well miss the boat.
Pola Jocum, Agent, Seeff Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town
thepropertymag.co.za | 45
Africa
investment, real estate, news & leisure
Flourishing Zimbabwe
2
1
T
ourism in Zimbabwe is on the up and up, if a recent investment of US$2,7 million (about R21 million) in a new luxury block at the award-winning Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is anything to go by. The lodge is the flagship of Africa Albida Tourism (AAT), and construction work on the new 20- room wing, the Victoria Falls Safari Club, is under way. AAT is also spending US$300 000 (around R2,2 million) on facelifts to the public areas of the main lodge, including MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant, Buffalo Bar and Terrace, the lodge’s lounges and activities desk and its reception area.
Durban-based designer Carol Cornwall has been commissioned to refashion the existing interiors (this will happen in a later phase) and to style the rooms of the Victoria Falls Safari Club. The new block will bring the lodge’s total number of rooms to 92. The new rooms will be one and a half times the size of the current rooms, and more modern. Come August,Victoria Falls Safari Club should be ready to start giving tourists a taste of refined Zimbabwean hospitality. AAT Chief Executive Ross Kennedy says a number of other industry players in Victoria Falls are also backing the industry by undertaking
similar projects, to cope with renewed demand. ‘Such a significant investment reflects our supreme confidence that the revitalisation of Victoria Falls and of our country Zimbabwe as a global tourism jewel is well under way,’ he says. Supporting his view is the UN World Tourism Organisation’s endorsement of Victoria Falls as the location for its global summit next year, which is expected to draw 3 000 visitors to Zimbabwe. The AAT hospitality group operates throughout southern Africa and has three divisions: hospitality, +27 (0)21 685 9324, restaurants and parks. victoria-falls-safari-lodge.com
1
A new luxury wing is being added to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge due to the rise in
Visit thepropertymag.co.za for more business
tourism in Zimbabwe. 2When lit up, the hotel exudes a fairy-tale romance.
and leisure news from Africa.
46 | April/May 2012
Words Tammy Sutherns Photographs courtesy of Africa Albida Tourism
Tourism is once again taking a firm hold in Zimbabwe, regardless of the difficult political issues there
africa
Slowdown in Kenya The Kenyan middle class is shifting to cheaper housing because of the current property market. Hass Consult, which manages projects for developers and is a commission agent on homes in the highand upper-middle-income sectors in Nairobi, released its results for the fourth quarter of 2011 recently. Development Manager Farhana Hassanali says, ‘We are seeing a trend across all sectors of the market of householders shifting to cheaper housing options.’ She says the shift is a result of squeezed household budgets due to inflationary pressures and near-static pricing in housing. The
All eyes turning south
report shows that pricing for stand-alone housing fell by 1,8%, with asking prices rising by 10% for townhouses and 1,4% for apartments from October to December. However, price rises continue in some
There’s positive thinking going on at Joburg-based Ennik Estates, the
areas of the housing market as developers move to recoup higher
exclusive Gauteng affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, the
construction costs. Farhana says, ‘The middle market continues to
London-based, global luxury property arm of the world’s largest and
ask and achieve higher sales prices as developers recoup the extra
oldest fine-art auction house. The BRICS member countries are expected
costs of land and construction materials in a market where demand
to be the source of US$100 billion (about R770 billion) a year in sales,
remains solid. But at the very top of the market, for villas and
and Christie’s strategy is to ‘look for future growth, with a focus on
stand-alone houses, there is currently no buyer appetite for further
bi-directional referrals, in Asia, Europe and the BRICS countries.’ Ennik
price rises and sometimes stiff negotiations on closures that are
Estates CEO Ronald Ennik says that, given the explosive economic
dampening prices marginally.’
growth in sub-Saharan Africa, and because South Africa is a member
+254 020 444 6914, hassconsult.co.ke
of the BRICS grouping, SA could play a key role in that process. Ronald says, ‘Debt-burdened developed countries have lost their investment lustre. As a result, wealthy people globally are looking to invest money
shouldn’t attract increasingly sharper international investment focus in
Grand changes
the future.’ He highlighted a recent Ernst & Young market report, which
Lonrho Hotels has entered into a 10-year agreement for the
forecasts that sub-Saharan Africa will be the second-fastest-growing
management of the 450-room Grand Hôtel Kinshasa in Democratic
region in the world over the next decade, and he also pointed to Finance
Republic of Congo. The hotel group, a division of London Stock
Minister Pravin Gordhan’s recent budget speech, which indicated a lower
Exchange-listed company, Lonrho, has been mandated by the
deficit and ‘prudent financial policies’, as drawcards for foreign investors.
government to refurbish and restore the hotel to its former glory.
+27 (0)11 788 0688, ennikestates.co.za
Grand Hôtel Kinshasa was previously the InterContinental Hotel, a
in economies with solid growth forecasts. South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa fall into that category, so there is no reason why we
leading five-star hotel and conference venue in central Africa. Of its 450 bedrooms, only 238 are currently operational. The facelift will address this. Also in the mix are new lounge and lobby areas, two new restaurants and a Grand Club Floor and Lounge. There is currently a conference centre with capacity for 2 000 delegates at the hotel, as well as a casino, nightclub, shopping mall, swimming pool and other recreational facilities. The renovations are scheduled for completion in the next two years. +243 894 6660, grandhotelkinshasa.net
Big shop for little country Malawi will see its regional shopping centre, the Gateway Mall, opening its doors in March 2013. The US$45 million (about R346 million) project is situated in the Malawian capital of Lilongwe. Ken Barker from TCI Group, lead developer of the centre, says, ‘To date, most of the structure is complete. Work on tenant fittings is on track to begin in June this year.’ The centre will be 17 500m2 in size, with Pick n Pay as its anchor tenant. Ken says that the centre has caught the imagination of other South African retail chains, most of who are making expansion into Africa a top priority at the moment. CEO of Broll Properties (Malawi), Francois Rabie, says he expects that 60% of the space will be occupied by South African chains. The Gateway is owned by Malawi Property Investment Company (MPICO), a subsidiary of Old Mutual. Construction began in 2010. +265 177 0622, malawiproperty.com; thegatewaymalawi.com
thepropertymag.co.za | 47
South Africa K
atarina’s, the cosy new restaurant at Kurland Hotel near Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route, is named after the owners’, Di and Peter Behr’s, daughter. The establishment of the restaurant follows the extensive refurbishment project undertaken by Kurland last year. Peter says, ‘We wanted to create yet another culinary option for in-house guests and local residents in the Crags and Plettenberg Bay area that was more relaxed, with an ever-changing bistro-style menu to complement the more formal menu and atmosphere in the Homestead restaurant.’ The 200m2 restaurants seats 100, 50 guests inside and 50 outside on the veranda. Guests may also enjoy a drink in front of the welcoming fireplace in the French-themed bar. Katarina’s decor and design was conceptualised by Di, who worked with Hotel Coordinator Glenda Lederle to create a serene dining experience that emphasises the delights of outdoor entertaining. The bistro fare is prepared in the state-of-the-art kitchen designed by Executive Chef Leon Coetzee. Thanks to the kitchen’s capacity and Kurland’s fabulous mountain views, Katarina’s is also a perfect venue for boutique conferencing and wedding receptions. Katarina’s is open for lunch and dinner, Monday to Saturday, and for lunch on Sundays. +27 (0)44 534 8082, kurland.co.za
1
Kurland Hotel presents its new restaurant, Katarina’s, a place that holds family close to heart
2 The inviting veranda at Katarina’s is perfect for elegant al fresco country dining.
Visit thepropertymag.co.za to discover other
Views of Kurland Estate and the Tsitsikamma Mountains from the veranda.
stylish restaurants in South Africa.
1
2
48 | April/May 2012
Words Tammy Sutherns
Family delight
Africa South Africa
Breath of fresh air The Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort’s newly launched Spoilt Green Eco-Spa offers pampering for the whole family. Treat yourself to a hot-stone massage or a hand or foot treatment, a Mum’s and Daughter’s package or a His and Hers package. The award-winning, eco-friendly resort is located in the Cathkin Peak region of the Drakensberg, so guests are treated to amazing views and a dose of fresh mountain air. The spa uses chemicalfree Esse Organic Skincare products, and thanks to this ecoboutique’s three chic, comfortable treatment rooms, you can relax in a beautiful, serene environment, knowing that you’re being kind to yourself, to your family and to the natural environment. +27 (0)36 468 1000, southernsun.com
Mining magnets Mushrooming coalmines around Belfast are creating fresh demand for residential property on the Mpumalanga highveld. Francois de Villiers, owner of the new RealNet estate agency in town, says South Africa’s growing demand for electricity has focused new attention on rich coal deposits in the area. Demand for family homes is growing and demand for rental units currently outstrips supply. Investors are now active in the market, he says. Starter homes can still be had from about R350 000, while top properties fetch up to R2 million. Belfast also has a thriving tourism industry, thanks to its excellent trout-fishing destinations, and there is an assortment of guesthouses and guest farms close by. Francois says that investors are targeting leisure properties for their personal use and that the highveld climate also draws a fair share of retirees. +27 (0)13 283 1580, realnet.co.za
Country living Urbanites are showing more interest in agricultural holdings. Osie van Niekerk of the RealNet Plotte & Plase franchise in Pretoria says the main attraction is space, as well as the fact that owners enjoy right of use and could receive second incomes. Another attraction is the rural lifestyle, which offers vistas of kloofs and dense bushveld. Prices for undeveloped acreage start at about R600 000, while undeveloped units on tarred roads start at about R800 000. Holdings with homesteads on the outer boundaries are priced from approximately R1,5 million and those nearer the urban edge start from R2,5 million. Estate stands of 0,5ha are priced from about R900 000, and built homes within the estates fetch between R2,5 million and R4 million. +27 (0)12 809 0623, realnet.co.za
Explore the pristine The Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape remains one of the most remote and pristine shorelines in South Africa. Anne Chegwidden, broker/owner of Re/ Max Alpha in East London, says the most popular and convenient destinations on the Wild Coast are Kei Mouth, Morgan Bay and Haga Haga. Anne says, ‘After spending time here, many investors decide to come back to the region at the beginning of the year to purchase property.’ The most activity in the property market in the 2011 holiday period was in Morgan Bay, where house prices range from R1 million to R1,5 million and plots are priced from R300 000 to R450 000. ‘Another hot investment node was Haga Haga,’ says Anne. ‘Some plots being sold by the developer at the Haga Haga retreat have dropped in price by R50 000. They are situated very close to the main beach.’ Houses in the R1,05 million to R1,2 million price range have also attracted investors, she says. +27 (0)43 721 0387, remaxsunshinecoast.co.za
thepropertymag.co.za | 49
Residential Real Estate
Riverhorse residential
Launched in January this year, Riverhorse Gardens in Effingham, Durban, is a securely gated, conveniently situated complex, offering quick access to urban facilities, a two-minute drive to the N2 and a five-minute drive to the Durban CDB. It comprises 43 units, and each luxuriously finished duplex is a massive 130m2 in size and includes a fully fitted kitchen, built-in cupboards in all three bedrooms (main-en-suite) and wall-to-wall porcelain floor tiles. With a primary and high school located 50m from the complex, these units, priced at R795 000 and exempt from transfer duties, are proving popular in the buy-to-let market as well as with entry-level buyers with families, says Pinky Dhanbir of Pinky’s Real Estate. +27 (0)31 505 3071
Country life
The just-relaunched Fernwood Estate in Kloof comprises
Ramsgate shaker
48 exclusive sectional title homes in an eco-estate. It offers
Shakina Place is a modern, upmarket complex that has recently been
two-bedroom apartments priced from R749 000 and three-
launched in sought-after Ramsgate on the South Coast. Set in landscaped
bedroom homes starting at R1,09 million. The estate’s amenities
gardens with a rim-flow pool, Shakina offers eight units, is practically on
include walkways, a swimming pool and a playground. With
the beach and is surrounded by the trees of the adjacent nature reserve.
24- hour security, and situated only five minutes from the
Situated on Marine Drive, Shakina is close to the Margate CBD and all its
centres of Kloof and Pinetown, Fernwood Estate is ideal for
facilities and is within walking distance of fine restaurants. All units have
buyers looking to raise families or to downscale to a tranquil
three bedrooms with built-in cupboards, dressing tables and en-suite
environment. It's also ideal for investors, says Dave van
bathrooms as well as lounge/dining areas opening onto a spacious balcony,
Rensburg of Acutts Highway. +27 (0)31 762 1456, acutts.co.za
where one can relax, watch the whales and dolphins, catch the action of the sardine run or just be lulled by the waves. Some units have extra-large wrap- around balconies that are ideal for entertaining. Finishes are of the highest standard; the kitchens, for instance, are fitted with beechwood cabinetry with granite tops. The garages open by remote control and provide access to the apartment through an internal doorway to a secure passage and an attractive covered staircase. A spacious area is available for a laundry and a large storage space. The pool area includes a rim-flow pool, a braai area and ablutions for bathers and is securely fenced – ideal for outdoor entertaining. Security includes a remote-controlled gate, an intercom system and electric fencing that extends above the garages. ‘The units range in size, the starting price is R1,395 million and there is no transfer duty,’ says agent Larry Gorge. +27 (0)83 337 7799,
Words André Fiore
pamgolding.co.za
50 | April/May 2012
SKHIoHOG manor B A L L I T O
1 Bedroom floor plan 50m2/57m2
2 Bedroom floor plan 62m2/67m2
From R609 000
From R721 000
AREA NAME Thompsons Bay
R0 000 000
AREA NAME
R9 500 000
R0 000 000
THE
COLLECTION Miramar Penthouse
ThisHEADING stunning open-plan five-bedroom, four-bathroom (all en suite) HEADING penthouse apartment has breaker amet, consectetur sit adipisicing elit,complex sed do eiusmod Lorem ipsum dolor sitplus amet, consectetur sit adipisicing elit, sed do eiusm sea Lorem views.ipsum It isdolor onesit of four apartments in the and features four garages parking bay, im tempor ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exertion dolore amet, consectetur im tempor ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exertion dolore amet, consecte entrance hall, open-plan study, large family room, and large patio overlooking Thompsons Bay Beach. sed tempor incididunt ut labore et magna ipsum dolor sit amsit adipiscing. sed tempor incididunt ut labore et magna ipsum dolor sit amsit adipisci It also includes staff accommodation. Associate name & contact no Associate name & contact no
www.remax.co.za
RE/MAX Office name & number
AREASalt NAME
Rock
R0 R0 000 000 000 000
AREA NAME
Web ref: 123456
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RE/MAX Office name & number
AREA R4 NAME 350
Web ref: 1234
000
R0 000 000 00
Salt Rock
Stunning newly renovated residential home in Salt Rock with large swimming pool in secure gardens. Featuring 6 spacious bedrooms and large open-plan HEADING HEADING living area. Ideal for a large family. Situated within walking HEADING distance to the beach. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur sit adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod im tempor ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exertion dolore amet, consectetur sed tempor incididunt ut labore et magna ipsum dolor sit amsit adipiscing.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur sit adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod im tempor ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exertion dolore amet, consectetur sed tempor incididunt ut labore et magna ipsum dolor sit amsit adipiscing.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur sit adipisicing elit, sed do eiusm im tempor ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exertion dolore amet, consecte sed tempor incididunt ut labore et magna ipsum dolor sit amsit adipisci
Associate name & contact no RE/MAX Office name & number
Associate name & contact no RE/MAX Office name & number
Associate name & contact no RE/MAX Office name & number
Salt Rock
Web ref: 123456
AREA NAME
R0 000 000
AREA NAME
Web ref: 123456
R0 000 000
R4295 000
AREA NAME
Web ref: 1234
R0 000 00
Seeing is believing Perched on a quiet road on top of a hill, this Bali-style house has panoramic views of the sea and stunning surrounds. House has top security system, entrance hall, indoor water feature, open-plan lounge, dining room, kitchen and separate scullery. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite). Upstairs is a large bedroom with his and hers bathroom, plus a lounge with 2 balconies. Double garage and self-contained flatlet. A well-manicured garden and large swimming pool with entertainment area completes this awesome house at a give-away price.
HEADING
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur sit adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod im tempor ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exertion dolore amet, consectetur sed tempor incididunt ut labore et magna ipsum dolor sit amsit adipiscing. Associate name & contact no RE/MAX Office name & number
HEADING
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HEADING
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Andre Conradie | Cell: 0824557744 | Fax: 0865809203 Associate name & contact no
C.E.A FETC Real Estate NQF4 andre@remaxdolphin.co.za RE/MAX | Property Web ref: 123456 RE/MAX Office|name & number Web| ref: 123456 Dolphin-Ballito RE/MAX Office name & numberConsultant
FOR OVER 50 000 PROPERTY LISTINGS VISIT Each Office Independently Owned and Operated
Web ref: 1234
www.remax.co.za
COMMERCIAL Real Estate
Agri launch
Dube AgriZone is the first smart, integrated, high-tech agricultural cluster development to provide the largest climate-controlled growing area under glass anywhere in Africa. The AgriZone’s operations are concentrated on short-shelf-life produce requiring immediate transportation post harvest, and comprises a sophisticated greenhouse complex, a dedicated pack house, a fresh-produce, value-adding distribution centre and a tissue culture laboratory. The AgriZone has been developed to provide growers with the potential to achieve improved yields, consistency of product quality, management of disease and pests and year-round crop production, to ensure sustainability and enhance agricultural
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competitiveness. The AgriZone’s proximity to the cargo terminal gives rise to a seamless cold chain. Currently, crops of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are being grown at Dube AgriZone,
City launch
the pack house services are occupied. The AgriZone is offering support packages at negotiable rates for interested farmers and agri- processing companies for the next phase of the development. +27 (0)32 814 0000, agrizone.dubetradeport.co.za
The official launch of Dube Square and Dube AgriZone in March heralded an important milestone in the development of the greater Dube TradePort aerotropolis. Dube Square forms part of the main boulevard in the first phase of Dube City, the first planned aviation-related city in Africa and an integral part of the Dube TradePort development. Dube TradePort’s own headquarters, 29º South, situated on the square, was also showcased on this occasion, and while currently incorporating office space, will ultimately include hospitality, entertainment and retail experiences too. The first phase of the Dube City development covers a 12ha site, which will increase to 24ha on completion. The development has been planned to include a mix of hotel, conference, retail and knowledge-industry companies and company head offices, and will offer fully reticulated fibre-optic cabling to deliver unparalleled voice and data connectivity. Dube City will comprise eight blocks consisting of 45 individual stands available on competitively priced long-term leases, negotiable up to 50 years. Designed in line with the principle of sustainable development, Dube City is a green hub that seeks to provide an ultramodern, world-class and cosmopolitan business and leisure facility. The tree-lined boulevard running from Dube Square will offer pedestrian walkways as well as dedicated cycle lanes and multifunctional lawn spaces. +27 (0)32 814 0000, city.dubetradeport.co.za
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The Dube developments offer exciting opportunities for economic growth in this part of KZN – Pola Jocum, Agent, Seeff Atlantic Seaboard
Dube City. 2The AgriZone. 3Dube TradePort’s headquarters, 29º South, on the Boulevard.
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thepropertymag.co.za | 53
Directory
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decor, trends, luxury, design & real estate
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TREND WATCH
From its rich, delicious taste to the art of making a cuppa, cocoa inspires our choices this winter FANCY FROTHER Gone are the days of only enjoying a frothy beverage at a café. Thanks to the Bodum Mousse Milk Frother, making perfectly frothed milk is as easy as pressing a button. The spiral blender is adjustable to froth any amount of milk and the borosilicate glass beaker is safe for use in the microwave and for making hot foam. Available from Chefs Warehouse. Nationwide delivery. +27 (0)21 422 0128, chefswarehouseonline.co.za
OLD FAVOURITE We all have our favourite hot chocolate brand, but if you haven’t yet tried Nomu’s Drinking Chocolate, do yourself a favour and give it a go. Its rich, decadent taste is moreish and its versatility makes it great for hot or cold chocolate drinks. Best of all, it contains no
SMART GLASS
artificial colouring or flavouring. Find it at selected retail stores nationwide or at Nomu’s
The Pavina glasses from Bodum will not only
online store.
make an attractive addition to your kitchen
+27 (0)21 386 2000, nomushop.co.za
shelf, but are also intelligent in their design. Their double walls offer insulation, keeping hot drinks warm for longer, especially when pre- heating the glass before pouring. Each glass is handmade, which may lead to slight variations in height or thickness. While the glasses are great for winter, they are also usable for cold drinks, making them a fantastic year-round investment. The glasses are dishwasher and microwave safe. Available online from Banks. Nationwide delivery. +27 (0)21 4613190, banks-shop.co.za
CRAFTY CUT-OUTS These cute and quirky Kitchen Craft Le’Xpress stencils, available from Banks, are a fun way to decorate your drink. Packaged in a set of eight different colourful shapes, they let you get creative with your favourite drink sprinkles. Order online or visit Banks’ stores at the Cape Quarter or in Sea Point, Cape Town. Nationwide delivery. +27 (0)21 4613190, banks-shop.co.za
HOLDING A TUNE The new Whistling Teakettle from Le Creuset is perfect for making a cup of cocoa. Holding 1,6l, this enamelledsteel stove-top kettle comes with a fixed whistle, has easy-to-use locking handles and phenolic knobs and is
your kettle online or visit your local Le Creuset store in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban. 0861 773 321, lecreuset.co.za
56 | April/May 2012
Words Catherine Riley
suitable for all heat sources, including ceramic, gas, and induction hobs. Order