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P R O P E R T Y NEW development Amber Glades, in Howick, KZN, encourages independent living and offers customised care.
COMFORT AND CARE AT AMBER GLADES AMBER GLADES is a newly launched senior living community designed for over-60s who are looking to be part of a secure and caring community that encourages independent living, but also offers customised care, if required. Residents are assured of engaging and supportive lifestyles focused on enhancing their physical and emotional well-being. Located in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal – an area with an excellent reputation for its retirement offerings, country lifestyle and closeknit community, Amber Glades boasts facilities including a fitness centre with an indoor, heated pool; hobby lounge; social coffee lounge; a dining room; a cosy library and a collaborative workspace. The development embraces the “ageing in place” philosophy, meaning residents are able to receive all, or any, care they may require in the comfort of their own homes. There is the added assurance of a 12-bed care centre offering a higher level of care. Having health-care facilities and trained professionals close at hand
means you are able to enjoy life without concern for you or your spouse’s care needs, says Gavin Wolmarans, fund manager at Old Mutual Alternative Investments, which developed the retirement village, in partnership with retirement developers Herdsmore. “The strength of Old Mutual Alternative Investments’s reputation means residents have the peace of mind that comes with knowing all their needs will be taken care of while they live life to the fullest.” The launch of Amber Glades, says Tim Gibson, director of Herdsmore, has been the realisation of a dream to create a genuinely caring community – a place that “offers peace of mind and freedom from concern for your future”. “It’s a place where you will find comfort in connection and opportunities to enjoy what you value most.” Contact Michele at 078 868 4736, visit www. amberglades.co.za, or email either info@ amberglades.co.za or sales@ amberglades.co.za for a private tour and viewing.
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Hassle-free retirement on pristine coast
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ORAL COVE, by Auria Senior Living, is a significant retirement development in Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate, on the shores of Sheffield Beach, KwaZulu-Natal. This luxury residential development on the North Coast raises the bar for those seeking a comfortable, hassle-free lifestyle in their older years, says Auria Senior Living chief executive Barry Kaganson. “Given the growth on the North Coast over the past few years, the provision of lifestyle environments for senior citizens hasn’t been catered for fully and Coral Cove is the first to comprehensively address this need.” He explains Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), such as Coral Cove, are purpose-built, secure retirement communities in
which older adults can live enjoyable, hassle-free lives with access to a wide variety of hospitality services, amenities, care and support. Auria Senior Living owns and operates CCRCs throughout South Africa, and has received numerous prestigious international awards, placing them among the best in the world. The North Coast has limited retirement facilities, few of which offer a continuum of care with amenities and services as extensive as those offered by Auria Senior Living. As a result, there has been strong interest from older adults in this area. Coral Cove offers intentionally designed freestanding garden villas, maisonettes and apartments to suit independent living and assisted living as
residents may require, Kaganson says, adding: “Coral Cove will be, to the very best of our research and knowledge, the only senior living community of its kind in the world with direct access to the pristine North Coast shoreline.” This leading retirement community will offer extensive lifestyle facilities, such as outdoor and indoor heated swimming pools; an air conditioned cinema; entertainment facilities; a gourmet restaurant; coffee shop; fully equipped wellness centre and state-of-the-art care centre and catering for frail and dementia-care residents. The care centre will be operational as the first residences are occupied. For more information email coralcove@auria. co.za or contact 087 537 0539.
CORAL Cove is believed to be the only senior living community of its kind with direct access to the pristine KZN North Coast shoreline.
New developments have advantages
NEWLY built homes in developments appeal to potential home buyers for many reasons, including not needing to pay transfer duty. PICTURE: THIRDMAN/PEXELS SOUTH AFRICAN buyers seeking security and a fuss-free lifestyle are increasingly opting for brand-new homes in developments and ooba Group chief executive Rhys Dyer predicts new developments will dominate the property landscape for years to come. “Newly built homes in developments appeal to potential home buyers for many
YOUNGSTERS OPTING FOR THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF INNER CITIES
UNDER-35s are seeking to move back to the major city centres and developers are jumping at the chance to give them the new property developments they desire. PICTURE: ZOË REEVE/UNSPLASH
reasons,” he says. In addition to being able to buy off-plan, buyers will also not have to pay transfer duty. This is because the payment of transfer duty only applies when a property changes ownership and this is not the case when purchasing a newly built home. However, Dyer does caution that buying a newly built home in a development is still subject to VAT. “You will need to pay VAT in the absence of transfer duty as the house is registered in the name of the development company and still subject to tax. “But if you are buying a new build, you will still pay less tax than if you were buying an existing property from a VATregistered private seller. This is because a new development property is registered at the minus-VAT value as an incentive to buyers.”
Aside from the financial rewards, he says there are numerous benefits to buying in to a new development, including: • The home is a blank slate that you can furnish and fit to your personal taste and requirements. • New houses normally need less maintenance and upkeep than older homes. • Newly built homes are constructed with energy efficiency in mind, often incorporating green technology. • Security measures, such as access control, biometric access, perimeter fences and CCTV, are often included. • Community living. “We’ve noticed a huge uptick of new developments across the country that cater for a range of buyer needs, including familyfriendly estates, coastal developments and lifestyle estates,” Dyer says.
WHEN the Covid-19 pandemic first hit, the CBDs of the country’s major metros – Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town – became near ghost towns as office workers were forced to work from home. Two years later, some professionals have chosen to take advantage of flexible work-fromhome policies and flee the city for smaller towns, often in search of a more relaxed lifestyle for their families. However, an unusual demographic has moved in to take their place and revitalise the CBD – Millennials and Gen Zs aged between 20 and 35. “This age group typically has more disposable income, and therefore greater spending power, and they are choosing to inject that cash into the inner city,” says Justine Adriaanzen, commercial real estate consultant for Galetti Corporate Real Estate. Explaining that this renewed interest in the country’s major CBDs from a younger demographic will have a positive knock-on effect on the economy and property market at large, she says property developers are capitalising on this new market by converting old and/ or abandoned buildings into trendy mixed-use developments. “More local businesses, such as clothing boutiques, homeware stores, artisanal retailers, upmarket bars and restaurants, are now opening to cater to these residents and office tenants. “Renewed investment and activity have also motivated city officials to ramp up crime prevention to revitalise key CBDs.” Much of what makes the CBD attractive to the younger demographic is the fast-paced and creative lifestyle it offers. “Savvy property developers are noticing the demand and are fulfilling this age group’s desire to move to the CBD.”
Adriaanzen shares the key factors influencing youngsters’ choice to move to the inner-city: Proximity to offices: While many South Africans are working from home, the easing threat of Covid19 has seen many offices reopening and young employees are looking to be close to work and avoid long commutes. Public transport: With parking at a premium in the city, and the petrol price increasing, many are choosing to ditch their cars and take advantage of bus routes and trains to get around. Developments near MyCiTi bus stops in Cape Town and the Gautrain Park Station in Johannesburg’s CBD stand to benefit. Trendy restaurants and bars: Young people are looking to be close to the action of the city and to patronise popular restaurants and coffee shops. On-site lifestyle amenities: Millennials and Gen Z’s prioritise convenience and lifestyle in their living space and developments with gyms, co-working facilities and even retail stores on site are in high demand. Modern design: Fast wi-fi, city views, smart TVs and sleek finishes in apartments have proved to be popular with this age group and they are even choosing these features over greater square footage in their homes. Noise prevention: An inevitable feature of inner-city living is street noise, so developers are encouraged to implement noise-blocking features such as double-glazed windows in their units. Another huge consideration in these areas is security, Adriaanzen says. “Safety and 24-hour security guards, biometric access and CCTV cameras are security measures that most Millennials will be unwilling to compromise on.”
