Real Estate April 2017 ( Issue 42 ) by REAL|life

ISSUE 42 • APRIL 2017

FORWARD

MOMENTUM Design’s international stars | Driving forces: new in motoring | Investment-savvy renovations

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SPECIAL REPORT

INVESTING IN RETIREMENT PROPERTY IN SOUTH AFRICA

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LIVE IN A RESORT

T H AT ’ S C O N V E N I E N T A N D C E N T R A L LY L O C AT E D

Our last penthouses and three and four-bedroom en-suite luxury apartments are ready for occupation. Our hotel construction has reached second level. Don’t lose the

opportunity before it’s sold out

OSBORN RD

HOUGHTON GOLF CLUB

2ND AVE

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Come and view our luxury apartment 12029. Available daily for viewings

ALAN BECKER 082 718 8100 | alan@thehoughton.com

Houghton on 12th, 53 Second Ave, Houghton

WARREN BECKER 082 302 3004 | warren@thehoughton.com

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CREATIVE GROUP

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CONTENTS

09 WORD ON THE STREET

41 MARKETPLACE The property news, awards and investment advice you need to know now...

14 CASTLE IN THE SKY Take tons of soil, raise the level of one Constantia Valley property, and you have a stunning view of Groot Constantia

24 CHANGE AGENTS Renovations can take many forms as seen in these homes

PUBLISHED BY THE CREATIVE GROUP FOR TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING Old Castle Brewery, 6 Beach Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925 www.realestatemagazine.co.za | 087 828 0423 | 021 447 7130

MANAGING DIRECTOR: THE CREATIVE GROUP Terence Hewitt | terence.hewitt@thecreativegroup.info

Don’t forget

THE PROPERTY BUYER SHOW

EDITORIAL TEAM Editor Michelle Snaddon | michelle.snaddon@thecreativegroup.info Creative director Leah de Jager Deputy editor Julia Freemantle Copy editor Kirsty Wilkins Group digital editor Lauren Joubert Accounts and finance Katrien Bezuidenhout Printing Paarl Media Contributors Patrick Cairns, Genevieve Putter, Georgina Guedes, Terence Steenkamp, Anne Schauffer, Graham Wood/bureaux.co.za

on 8 and 9 April at the CTICC, Cape Town, which will be of interest to first-time buyers and investors

ADVERTISING BOOKINGS AND SUBMISSIONS Jackie Maritz | Advertising coordinator jackie.maritz@thecreativegroup.info | 078 133 5211 Love the environment! Please recycle this copy of REAL ESTATE after you have read it.

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54 DESTINATION RETIREMENT South Africa’s wealth of options for retirees

34 SHOWSTOPPERS

60 DREAM HOME

Among the cars featured at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, nine stars stood out for us...

Malta is an increasingly popular destination for international investors – country homes included

DISCLAIMER The publisher of this magazine gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representation regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. © The Advertising Joint Venture. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.

COVER IMAGE Adam Mørk PHOTOGRAPHS Lar Photography, Lahdelma and Mahlamäki Architects, David Morley Architects, Malcolm Reading Consultants, supplied

’m a huge fan of renovation ideas that are big on impact but budget savvy – even more so if they can be achieved in a long weekend. That’s not the case for all of these (see page 24), but with good planning and genius tips from renovators, it’s possible to transform quicker than you think. So, make use of the string of holidays we have coming up this month and get going with those ideas you’ve shelved for so long! On a much bigger scale, our Constantia house story was a complete rebuild in the end (see page 14) but a fine example of the creative lateral thinking to realise the potential of oddshaped plots. The results are impressive. The pool – set in the vineyards – is my idea of heaven (it’s 38°C as I write this). I always look forward to the pithy bird’s eye view of global wealth trends, stats and spending patterns in the Knight Frank Wealth Report. This year the Prime International Residential Index (PIRI 100), which tracks the value of luxury homes in 100 cities worldwide, noted that US$1 million will buy you 209m2 in Cape Town (compared to a paltry 17m2 in Monaco, 26m2 in New York and 30m2 in London), which is 18% less than the 255m2 buyers would have scored in 2015 – largely due to rising prices on the Atlantic Seaboard and the strengthening of the rand. Cape Town’s prices were recorded as up by 8.3%. Knight Frank also confirmed that the super rich are still migrating to safer havens including Australia, New Zealand (Auckland’s prices are up by 16%, Sydney 9.3% and Melbourne 8.8%), Canada and Malta. In Europe, Amsterdam is the strongest-performing city (property prices are up by 10.1%), yet growth was off the charts in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou (all more than 26%). Interestingly, investment-grade wines have achieved a ‘blistering growth’ of 24%, zooming right past classic cars (down from 17% to 9%). Those categories show different results over 10 years though: classic cars gave a 457% return and wine 267%. Of course, investments of passion might be swept aside once you indulge in the impressive line-up at last month’s Geneva Michelle Snaddon Editor, REAL ESTATE Motor Show (page 34)…

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TWO ICONIC TOWERS RISING 53 STOREYS WITH STUNNING CITY & RIVER VIEWS I N T H E C E N T R E O F L O N D O N ’ S N E W F I N A N C I A L D I S T R I C T- C A N A RY W H A R F P R I VAT E B A L C O N Y G A R D E N S R A N G I N G F R O M 1 0 9 S Q F T – 4 0 1 S Q F T M E M B E R S H I P T O T H E E XC L U S I V E WA R D I A N C L U B’ S P R I VAT E F I R S T C L A S S FA C I L I T I E S

J O I N U S F O R A L O N D O N R E S I D E N T I A L M A R K E T U P DAT E A N D E XC L U S I V E A C C E S S T O O N E O F L O N D O N ’ S F I N E S T N E W R E S I D E N T I A L D E V E L O P M E N T S – WA R D I A N . A P A N E L O F L O N D O N P R O P E R T Y E X P E R T S W I L L P R O V I D E A N U P - T O - D AT E M A R K E T O V E R V I E W, I N C L U D I N G S O M E O F T H E M O S T I M P O RTA N T FA C T O R S I N F L U E N C I N G L O N D O N ’ S H O U S I N G M A R K E T P R I C E S F R O M £ 7 5 6,0 0 0 AT T E N D A N C E I S S T R I C T LY BY R S V P I N F O @ S M U T S A N DT YA L O R .C O M +27 (0) 11 083 6366 9 M AY 2 0 1 7 THE OYSTER BOX UMHLANGA ROCKS, DURBAN

1 0 M AY 2 0 1 7 O N E & O N LY V & A WAT E R F R O N T, C A P E T O W N

1 2 M AY 2 0 1 7 SUMMER PLACE SANDTON JOHANNESBURG

Whilst every care has been taken in preparing these particulars, the agent and the respective landlords/vendors give no warranty, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein. These particulars are subject to errors, omissions, change of price/rental or other conditions, withdrawal without notice, and any special listing conditions imposed by our principals. The agent will not be liable for negligence, or for any direct or indirect consequential losses or damages arising from the use of this information. You should satisfy yourself about the completeness or accuracy of any information or materials. The information contained herein does not form part of an offer or contract “*Prices and details correct at the time of going to press. Readers are advised to make their own enquiries to verify such information.

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WORD ON THE STREET THINGS TO SEE, TRENDS TO SPOT AND PLACES TO BE

Household name

Fine China Jim Thompson’s lush patterns and textures have long been where designers looked for Oriental-inspired luxe. The designer is credited with having revived the Thai silk industry in the 1950s and ’60s, and his love of opulence and Asian craft lives on in the exquisite designs current head designer Ou Baholyodhin produces. The new Leo de Janeiro collection represents the convergence of Chinese festivities and is a hypnotic and evocative riot of carnival-inspired colour, symbolised by the centrepiece of the collection, the iconic Chinese lion. We’re also a bit besotted with the No 9 by Thompson All Aboard range – outdoor fabrics that incorporate the house’s signature exotic motifs but less formal, and with humorous names. Jim Thompson is available locally through T&Co. tandco.co.za

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DESIGN

TEXT Julia Freemantle PHOTOGRAPHS Andrew Dunkley and Marcus Leith, neugerriemschneider, Berlin and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York, Johan Jansson, Veerle Evens, Jonathan Mauloubier, Frances Marais, supplied

A natural if long-awaited progression from fabrics, HAUS by Hertex Fabrics is a fresh and onpoint collection of homeware which will appeal to a wide range of homeowners for its current but timeless mix of decor items and textile-based pieces. The range includes everything from rugs and cushions to tablecloths and serveware. The bowls and flatware are particularly special: we think the cool printed patterns and metallic cutlery in a range of tones will fly out of store. hertex.co.za

WALLS AND ALL If you love Lemon Decor’s effortlessly chic artwork and wallpaper, you will be thrilled to hear that they’ve expanded into furniture, too – servers and tables that encapsulate the minimal but luxurious approach and understated, clever use of colour the brand has become known for. The Victoria table in its contrasting colourways is the highlight of the collection – cool and yet totally sophisticated. madebylemon.co.za

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LIFESTYLE

WORD ON THE STREET

At your service Ideally placed for business travellers (the conference facilities are just across the road), but also catering fully to family vacationers, the Century City Hotel and Conference Centre is all things to all Cape Town visitors – a central and convenient but sophisticated location easily accessible to the city centre. The 125 rooms are done up in understated but comfortable fashion by Beth Murray who did the interiors – which are a super-chic combination of natural textures (wood, stone, copper), muted tones, abstract art and sculptural plants. Eat inroom or dine at the Square Cafe and Wine Bar, whose easy-eating,but elegant menu comes with carefully chosen wine suggestions. With pre-dinner drinks at the beautiful bar, which only has lady bartenders in the evenings, the idea is that you stay and enjoy all the space has to offer. cchotel.co.za

LATIN LESSONS Inspired by food from the Americas (think Mexican, Argentinian, Peruvian), Fuego on Regent Road in Sea Point is adding to the growing eclectic food offering on the Atlantic Seaboard. That means you get the best of all worlds – from tacos (which are made on-site) and ceviche to chimichurri and churros. The super-sleek space is understated elegance at its best: pale timber and copper-toned light fittings offset by cool marble surfaces. 072 233 8486

Inside track

Founded out of a desire to allow locals to be travellers in their own city, Secret Getaway curates the best leisure, hospitality and dining experiences from a choice range of partners – including Mont Rochelle, The Saxon Hotel and The Cellars-Hohenort – to make the occasional spontaneous night away or spa experience as simple as possible. All the current packages and locations are easily visible online, and can be searched by geographic region. secretgetaway.co.za

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APRIL 2017

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Mauritius

Invest, Work, Live & Play

Explore investment opportunities at the Mauritius Business Forums, organised jointly by the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Financial Services Promotion Agency (FSPA). Smart Cities - Residential Properties - Business & Industrial Parks - Marinas - Gaming Resorts - Amusement Parks

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Register at: https://www.gevme.com/RSA2017 The BOI is the national investment promotion agency of Mauritius, mandated to promote and facilitate investment in the country. The FSPA is responsible for the development and promotion of Mauritius as an International Financial Centre (IFC) of excellence.

#MSABF2017

WORD ON THE STREET

DESIGN INDABA 2017 Inspired design was a focal point at this year’s Design Indaba, with an underlying thread that it can offer practical solutions to real world problems

K aj a D ahl

Kaja’s perfume project entailed an exploration of what we have lost of ancient perfume rituals. In her unique fragrance (a collaboration with Agata Karolina), Tapputi and the Sea, Cape Town Edition craft and perfumery meet in a unique artisanal creation whereby dyed natural sea sponges hold the handmade solid perfume made of only natural oils. atelierkajadahl.com

Y i nk a I lor i

Artist and designer Yinka Ilori’s work is inspired by the parables his Nigerian-born parents passed down to him. As a child living in London, these stories were one of the only ways he could connect to his heritage. Now, through his work, he explores the ideas of status, hierarchy and cultural heritage through the icon of a chair – subverting its structure and imbuing it with colour, pattern and meaning to tell stories. yinkailori.com

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MARCH 2017

Olafur Eliasson

NKULI MLANGENI

Artist Olafur Eliasson’s installations and artworks ask questions about the nature of science, art and nature. His often elementally inspired and ephemeral works encourage the viewer to examine their own existence, perception and place in the world. The weather project, 2003, at Tate Modern in London is possibly one of his best-known pieces – a huge glowing sun dominated the Turbine Hall – a study on weather as one of people’s primary encounters with nature. olafureliasson.net

The Sankara rug by textile designer Nkuli Mlangeni, nominated by Bielle Bellingham, was the winner of this year’s Most Beautiful Object in South Africa. The exhibition of 10 pieces, chosen by style influencers, ran alongside the conference. The rug brings together traditional handcraft and day-to-day relevance in a striking graphic design. designindaba.com/profiles/nkuli-mlangeni

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WORD ON THE STREET

DIEZ OFFICE Product and industrial designer Stefan Diez explores the nature of his materials – what they can do, how they can be shaped – through designing the process of creation itself. The beauty of his work for Japanese company Soba – a flatpack bamboo trestle – is in the designer’s ability to use the materials’ qualities to create a functional and beautiful item. diezoffice.com

Snøhetta

MONIQUE VEE

Norwegian multidisciplinary studio Snøhetta’s pillars of collaboration and transpositioning (professionals exchange roles to keep their perspective interesting and unclouded by convention) ensure that its work challenges the status quo. These core principles, and their sustainability-meets-highdesign approach, is perfectly expressed by the 7th Floor project or the Treehotel in Sweden. It encapsulates their marriage of the ‘pragmatic and the poetic’ in a stilted room that reflects the forest and blends in with its surrounds. snohetta.com

We noticed Monique Vee’s striking pieces at the Emerging Creative’s showcase at Design Indaba for their play on angles and levels. Monique started her label in 2016. The 2017 Suspension collection is her first of furniture, made up desks, seats and tables, and epitomises her minimal but bold approach. The interior and exterior pieces are a refreshing take on form and structure. moniquevee.com

Joe Gebbia Airbnb, the tech startup that began humbly in a flat-share, is now valued at billions of dollars. Its co-founder Joe Gebbia sees brokenness in systems as opportunities for design – the core of the success of Airbnb, which solved an accommodation problem on a basic level. But it was the company’s higher ideals of community and connecting strangers that translated into the design of Cedar House, created in collaboration with Japanese architect Go Hasegawa and the community of Yoshina. This shared space, available on Airbnb, is rentable, but is also open to people from the village. The experience of staying here brings you into contact with the local traditions and culture. Constructed using sustainable cedar from forests in the mountains nearby and built by local master carpenters and craftsmen, it epitomises Airbnb’s values for collaboration and the sharing that can be facilitated when people connect under the same roof. samara.airbnb.com/community/ yoshino

MVRDV

Winy Maas of Netherlands-based urban design firm MVRDV is a visionary in the field of architecture. The aim of the firm is to turn fear into curiosity, egoism into collectivism, with architecture as the vehicle. Peruri 88 in Jakarta is an example of a mixed-use multifaceted building that makes more efficient use of space and creates a new urban dynamic. mvrdv.nl

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CASTLE IN THE SKY This low-slung family home bordering Cape Town’s Groot Constantia wine estate was raised on tons of soil to take advantage of its spectacular setting TEXT Graham Wood/bureaux.co.za PHOTOGRAPHS Greg Cox/bureaux.co.za STYLING Sven Alberding/bureaux.co.za

att and ictoria Bresler first went to see the site of their house in the Constantia Valley because of a photograph Matt had seen in the property pages of the newspaper. It showed just three palm trees and a hint of vineyard in the background. ‘The house wasn’t even in the photograph,’ says Matt. When he got there, he could see why not. ‘I spent two or three minutes inside the house and an hour on the roof looking at the view.’ Matt soon realised that to do justice to those views, they would have to build from scratch. The existing house, as architect Jan-Heyn Vorster says, was built really badly in the 80s. It was sunk low into the plot with no views to speak of or any sense of connection to its remarkable setting. Trees and large bushes all along the fence severed the house from its potential views even more emphatically. Before they even considered the design of the house, Jan-Heyn, along with architect Tiaan Meyer, had to figure out how to create the views Matt had begun to sense were possible. ‘Matt spent a lot of time on the old site standing on carefully measured ladder rungs surveying views from a standing and seated position,’ says Jan-Heyn. From the right position, it would even be possible to catch a glimpse of the 300-year-old Groot Constantia homestead. The solution was to raise the level of the ground. ‘We brought in quite a lot of soil to bring the house up to a level that took full advantage of the views of the vineyards,’ says Jan-Heyn. At the same time, he was aware of how important it would be for the house to be integrated with its site. ‘You have to come up with clever landscaping solutions to bring the site back up to the house so that it doesn’t feel like an apartment in the air,’ says Jan-Heyn. ‘It still needed to be a family home with seamless connection to gardens and pool.’ Added to this was their awareness that people are allowed to walk in the vineyards along the property’s edge. ‘It was important for the scale of the building to be quite sensitive,’ says an- eyn. They didn’t want to blight the setting with a selfish lump on the landscape. Because of this, they decided to set the house as far back on the stand as they could. From the back of the house, it appears as a double-storey. From the vineyards, however, it’s long, low-slung and ground-hugging, with two mono-pitch ip-up roofs over the living areas. From the front door, you ascend via a staircase in a glass box. On the upper level, the living areas are located to one side and the bedroom wing to the other. The stairway creates a kind of procession, as Jan-Heyn puts it. ‘The building creates views, moments when you pause to turn and look back,’ he explains. You can glimpse the sea to the south over False Bay as you ascend the stairs – and you are also aware of the beautiful, naturalistic gardens that come right up to the

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SHOW HOUSE

SITE PLAN KEY 1. Main house 2. Olive Close 3. Vehicular entrance 4. Pedestrian entrance 5. Pool 6. Garden 7. Groot Constantia vineyards

The formality of the front garden and its large open lawn contrasts with the wild planting of the garden at the back of the house. The extensive lawns and the stone-edged grass steps manage the changes in level, and gabions provide a combination of raw materiality with architectural structure. The house is given character with the flip-up roofs that let light into the living areas

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house, almost as if you’re immersed in it. Once you’ve fully ascended the stairs, you are confronted with the house’s expansive vista to the north over the vineyards towards the mountains. ‘The elevated positioning means you have no sense of this setting when you first arrive, so it is often uite a surprise for guests,’ says Jan-Heyn. An off-shutter concrete wall is the most definitive architectural feature here. ots of effort went into getting that wall beautifully cast using sand-blasted spruce to impart a wood-grain finish to the concrete,’ says Jan-Heyn. He adds that the materiality of the house was important throughout. Much of the facade at the back of the residence is clad in western red cedar. Inside the concrete of the ceilings, pillars and ring-beams is softened with wood – the solid oak ooring, the cedar ceilings of those angled roofs in the living areas and much of the interior oak joinery. Untreated cedar, which weathers to grey over time, is also used for slatted entrance gates, window screens, the front door and the pergola. ‘It was Victoria’s idea to design bespoke window facades made entirely of cedar for the children’s bedrooms,’ says Matt. f course, the north-facing aspect of the house (toward the vineyards) is mostly glass. The two ipup roofs impart character, while the bedroom wing is angled inward to hug the garden. The bedrooms form a stepped or zigzag arrangement to allow for views in two directions instead of one and to catch both the northern as well as western sunset light. The bedroom wing is at-roofed, which makes it less conspicuous, and it oats on a raised platform. Below the living areas, the ground drops away more radically – the architects populated this natural void with the guest suite, wine cellar, staff accommodation and garages. The interiors essentially form another layer of the architecture rather than functioning merely as containers for furniture. ‘You can’t separate the interior design and the architecture from each other,’ says an- eyn. From the beginning, we considered how the architecture and fixed furnishings would connect and fit together.’ For example, the unit between the kitchen and the living space is an extension of the architecture, concealing a T and a fireplace, with the other side forming a coffee station including Matt’s collection of espresso cups. The building is basically uite neutral,’ says an- eyn. The furniture, furnishings, decorations and art provides distinct character and colour.’

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT Son Jonty’s bedroom carries the raw materiality evident in the wood and concrete throughout the rest of the house, and brightens it with muted primary colours; the en-suite bathroom off the master bedroom has views west over the garden. The glass doors can be stacked away so that the bath is projected outwards on a plinth, immersed in the garden there are no ceilings in the bedrooms. Instead, they feature raw off-shutter concrete. The anthropomorphic Sitting Lamp is by Graeme Bettles (graemebettlesdesign.com); from the garden, the bathroom and bedroom appear to float, an impression enhanced by the planting where floor meets ground

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SHOW HOUSE

‘YOU CAN’T SEPARATE THE INTERIOR DESIGN AND THE ARCHITECTURE FROM EACH OTHER’ JAN-HEYN VORSTER, ARCHITECT

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SHOWCASE

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The living areas are emphasised architecturally by the flip-up roofs, with Cedar-clad ceilings that create larger volumes than the other areas and let in extra light. The painting above the matching pair of white Frystark tub chairs is by Esther Nienhuis, a Dutch artist who Matt and Victoria met when living in London; wood is used for the floors, ceilings and joinery functions, introducing a level of detail and refinement to the design, and a subtle transition from architecture to interiors. They were custom-made by Versfeld Custom Furniture (customfurniture.co.za); the fish tank is integrated into the architecture, plumbed into the wall, creating a hatch between the kitchen and living room. Matt completed the technical details of the installation himself. His interests in zoology and botany are evident not just in the fish tank, but also in the garden, particularly the trees OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT From the entrance to the house, with its beautifully cast off-shutter concrete, the stairwell leads upstairs from the lower level. This â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;knuckleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, as Jan-Heyn calls it, is the central circulation point for the house; in the kitchen, it is particularly evident how the fixed furnishings and the architecture are so much part of each other. The concrete, visible here in the feature ring-beams holding up the roof structure, has been polished, but left unadorned, softened by the wooden ceiling and kitchen cabinets. The loose furnishings, too, are designed to express their materiality, with the effect that they add another layer to the architecture rather than merely filling a room; the TV room forms a separate area from the main living areas, and, like the bedroom wing, features a low ceiling. The white leather sofa from Klooftique (klooftique.com) was purchased before the house was built on the advice of Jan-Heyn, with an eye to how it might suit the house when complete

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SHOW HOUSE

‘WHAT’S ACTUALLY KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE WHOLE BUILDING IS THE INTEGRATION WITH THE LANDSCAPE AND THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN’ JAN-HEYN VORSTER, ARCHITECT

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These include local design, much of it in uenced by mid-century modernism, such as the sofas, coffee table and dining room table from oburg’s Me anine Interiors. There are also some refurbished vintage items. Much of it is also made with natural wood, expressing the character of its materials. Matt points out, however, that he is by no means a minimalist. e travelled extensively throughout his twenties and early thirties, always filling his backpack with carefully selected artefacts, such as masks and statues. It has been challenging but fun to try and balance my desire to display these hardsought, memory-steeped items with our desire for a minimalist look,’ says Matt. I wanted to display the things that I love and feel passionate about.’ e and ictoria also collected art and artefacts on their travels together. For example, we now have a set of 14 little etchings in the passageway,’ he says. There was a great deal of satisfaction from pulling those out of boxes, agreeing on framing and hanging.’ utside, the landscaping and planting help the house, its landscape and view melt together beautifully. hat’s actually key to the success of the whole building is the integration with the landscape and the landscape design,’ says an- eyn. It would have been a different building if that wasn’t as well-resolved.’ andscape designer Mary Maurel worked closely with Matt and ictoria on the planting. She devised a layered approach with naturalistic gardens around the house, progressing via a wide-open lawn to a fynbos bed along the border. This approach creates gentle transitions from architecture to landscape, and blurs the boundaries between the Bresler’s property and the vineyards, borrowing the extensive views. It sometimes feels as if the vineyards belong to this property,’ says an- eyn. A passionate plantsman, Matt has brought in more than 200 trees – both indigenous and exotic – with a focus on prolifically owering trees. I’ve brought in many saplings from trips abroad. I’m currently rearing from seed some of the exciting species I can’t find in the country,’ he adds. There’s a gate in the fence leading directly onto the vineyards, so the Breslers can walk their dogs through them whenever they feel like it. hen Matt goes jogging in the vineyards he always slows to a walk for the 130m stretch bordering his property. hen I’m not focused on some weeds that need removing, I feel a great sense of pride when I look back,’ he says. I think we’ve done justice to the views and the setting.’ meyerandassociates.co.za; marymaurelgardens.co.za CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT The swimming pool was one of the only features of the original house that was retained. It was marbled in a darker colour to make it appear less artificial in the landscape; the pergola between the pool and deck creates another outdoor entertainment area, and a further architectural transition between house and garden; the Bresler children, Jonty, Hannah and Ollie, enjoy using the pergola as a climbing frame; from the south side of the house, it’s easy to see how the bedroom wing is angled to hug the garden to the north. Lush, wild, naturalistic planting comes right up to the residence, grounding the house in its landscape. This dense garden area, which will eventually be a curated forest, is visible from the staircase and the passage along the bedroom wing

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ADVERTORIAL

APPEAL

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Concrete may traditionally have been more practical than beautiful, but it’s now being used to create modern and chic spaces. That includes this concrete-inspired kitchen countertop and matching sink in Caesarstone’s (caesarstone.co.za) Sleek Concrete 4003; Caesarstone’s Frosty Carrina 5141 makes for stunning soft ivory white flooring and countertops; bathrooms are one of the most impactful spaces when selling your home. Quality appliances and finishes such as this freestanding bath and Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo 5131 wall cladding effectively upgrade this functional space

FOR MORE INFO All Caesarstone surfaces come with a lifetime warranty (Ts & Cs apply). Visit caesarstone.co.za for new colour palette additions from May.

APRIL 2017

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PHOTOGRAPHS Supplied

SURFACE

To increase your home’s value and appeal, consider uality finishes from Caesarstone

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hile decluttering, repainting and completing minor repairs before prospective buyers take a look at your home can create a stronger first impression, updating your home’s most functional and ‘lived in’ spaces on a more fundamental level is often the clincher. The rise in popularity of open-plan living has meant that the kitchen has become the anchor and the point from which the entire house finds its direction and look, says Philip Richards, brand director of blu_line. ‘A modern kitchen that’s designed with the latest functionality, materials and Caesarstone surfaces will ensure that your home attracts the best buyers at the right price.’ The kitchen is worth more per square metre than any other room and is often a deciding factor that sways buyers. While it might not be feasible to remodel the kitchen completely, small but effective changes such as respraying cabinet doors and upgrading plumbing fixtures will instantly refresh its effect. An area that is worth spending a bit on is countertops and backsplashes. Upgrading these to Caesarstone quartz surfaces will add wow factor, as well as serious value to your property. BATHROOM UPGRADES The bathroom is the second most impactful space in your home when it comes to influencing a sale. An impractical or outdated design and scruffy, stained or faulty sanitaryware can be offputting to potential buyers. As the most personal of spaces, your visitors’ experience of your bathrooms is going to affect how they feel about your house overall. ‘From our experience, updating your kitchen and bathroom can help to sell your house faster and potentially add thousands onto the selling prices,’ says Ryk Neethling, marketing director of Val de Vie. ‘A home’s materiality is directly related to its intrinsic value and resale potential,’ confirms Caesarstone’s marketing director Trevor King. ‘Choosing top quality, hygienic finishes that also retain their design longevity helps to position your house as a good investment in the minds of estate agents and buyers.’ Tim Akinnusi, head of sales and client management at Nedbank Home Loans, agrees: ‘It is important for homeowners to look at modifications and upgrades that will increase the value of their home. Look primarily at the functional areas of the house as well as incorporating energy efficient technology and systems into your home.’

WHAT THE PROPERTY EXPERTS SAY ‘The best advice is to get your house in order. Ensure there are no issues that any potential buyer can raise or that can be either off-putting or lead to a lower offer.’ Samuel Seeff, chairman of Seeff Properties ‘Essentially, sellers should always try and present their homes to appeal to the widest possible market. Small improvements such as a fresh coat of paint and dressing a home with a neutral palette immediately make a property more saleable.’ Carol Reynolds, Pam Golding Properties area principal for Durban Coastal ‘Additional factors that could influence your property’s marketability – and consequently the value of your property – include demographic change, progression and regression, and supply and demand. A home office and security systems that don’t influence aesthetics are also important considerations.’ Richard Gray, CEO of Harcourts South Africa ‘It’s a well-known fact that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. Using luxurious products such as Caesarstone in both your kitchen and bathroom is guaranteed to make a good impression on a buyer. So much so that many real estate agents even make a point of including Caesarstone features in their property descriptions as a key selling factor.’ Simon Bray, CEO of Private Property

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R E N O VA T I O N T R E N D S

Renovations can be full-scale gut-and-rebuild projects or small changes that make a big difference. e look at makeovers by both homeowners and designers, proving that there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just one right way to do it TEXT Julia Freemantle PHOTOGRAPHS Karl Rogers and supplied

CHANGE AGENTS

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CHESSIE ELLENBOGEN, JEWELLERY DESIGNER AND MOM OF TWO A quintessential creative (she’s an artist and a jewellery designer, and has worked in interiors), Chessie recently renovated the Parktown North home she shares with her husband. The charming house has good bones but was a little worse for wear, being such an old building WHAT WAS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF YOUR RENOVATION? Kitchen We wanted to create an open-plan living/ eating space and modernise the finishings and fittings. The house is old, with good bones, but it needed a refresh. Bathroom This space needed to be more guestfriendly. There also wasn’t a shower in the house aside from the master suite, so we needed to incorporate one. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FEATURE OF YOUR MAKEOVER? Kitchen The indoor/outdoor flow makes a huge difference to the space. We also chose a great stove – it’s such a pleasure to cook on. Bathroom I love the pink walls (Dulux Cracked Clay 3). I chose something a little out of the box and it’s perfect.

The drawers are recessed slightly within the honed granite shell, a smart and polished detail. The two-tone grey is also a nice touch The choice of pink for a guest bathroom is inspired. It makes a feature of the space, and adds warmth and personality to a room that’s often quite sterile

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FIND? Kitchen The honed granite tops were a big success. WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED EXPENSES? Kitchen We used encaustic tiles on the floor and didn’t realise that we needed to seal them, so they got really marked. The cleaning and sealing was an unexpected step. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D DO DIFFERENTLY? Kitchen We initially had an above-the-counter cupboard that extended to the countertop surface. It was meant to house appliances but the cupboard wasn’t deep enough so we had to shorten it. Bathroom If I’d known about coloured grouting during the renovation, I would have loved to try it.

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TRISTAN DU PLESSIS, INTERIOR DESIGNER Tristan of Studio A Interiors turned a badly fitted and finished student digs into a sleek urban loft using a combination of luxurious and industrial finishes and a monochromatic palette

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FIND WHILE SOURCING FITTINGS/ FURNITURE/SURFACES? The Elitis wallcovering from St Leger & Viney created visual impact and texture to feature walls.

WHAT WAS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF YOUR RENOVATION? We wanted to get rid of wasted space and create more open livable space. We knocked down walls, took out unnecessary bathrooms and opted for a single floor finish to create a sense of oneness throughout the apartment.

WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED EXPENSES? There are always unforeseen costs with a renovation. These came to light during the construction phase and were overcome through negotiating with understanding contractors.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FEATURE? The fact that it’s open plan, so the zones (bedroom, bathroom, lounge) interact seamlessly.

Off-shutter concrete is a really underrated wall treatment – it’s an easy way to inject instant industrial interest

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D DO DIFFERENTLY? I would rather have pushed through with the whole renovation in one phase. Living with half-finished spaces is never fun. studioa.co.za

‘THERE ARE ALWAYS UNFORESEEN COSTS WITH A RENOVATION’ TRISTAN DU PLESSIS, INTERIOR DESIGNER

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R E N O VA T I O N T R E N D S

We love how the herringbone panel’s edge forms an interesting feature in itself. And likewise how the metro tiles have been laid differently on the sides of the bath to the wall. It’s simple details like this that make for clever renovations

MISHA COETZEE, CREATIVE, BRAND AND BROW SPECIALIST Misha’s bathrooms received a stylish upgrade, adding value to her old Illovo flat without overcapitalising. The space was transformed using a herringbonetiled wall, metro tiles and the original bath

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FIND WHILE SOURCING FITTINGS/ FURNITURE/SURFACES? I also love my cabinet, which I designed and had made. It’s huge and there’s enough space for all our bits and pieces, but it still looks slick and unobtrusive in the small space.

WHAT WAS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF YOUR RENOVATION? My goal was to modernise my old bathrooms in a premium but cost-effective way. I had a small budget in mind and knew I could make it work through smart decisions. Fortunately I found an amazing builder who allowed me to complete the job quickly and within budget.

WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED EXPENSES? I’m pretty thorough with costing and comparative pricing, so there weren’t any real surprises. The metro tiles were the most expensive part of the exercise, but I was prepared for that and they were my one splurge item.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FEATURE OF YOUR MAKEOVER? I adore my herringbone-tiled wall. I’d seen something similar on Pinterest a while back and I knew in an instant that I needed to incorporate a similar design somehow. Ironically the only metro tiles I could find were really long, which ended up working beautifully. It came to life just as I’d imagined.

LOOKING BACK, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D DO DIFFERENTLY? I probably would have sourced an antique ball and claw bath, had it regalvanised and installed a freestanding bath. I just figured it would add additional cost to my thrifty exercise so decided against it. brandslut.co.za

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R E N O VA T I O N T R E N D S

KELLY ADAMI, INTERIOR DESIGNER Kelly’s first renovation project of her own home, this transformation involved the update of a Joburg complex dating back to the ’80s. A major overhaul of the whole house, we’re showing you two of our favourite rooms WHAT WAS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF YOUR RENOVATION? Study This space was originally designed to be a family/TV room and so it was really about converting it and changing it into a functional workspace. For this reason, we also aimed to modernise it and fill the space with more light. Bathroom I’ve always felt that a guest loo is a great opportunity to do something special. It’s the space your guests are most likely to see so I wanted to give it something extra. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FEATURE OF YOUR MAKEOVER? Study The walls were originally finished with a heavy texture that was fashionable in the ’80s. This obviously dated the space so we decided to RhinoLite over all the walls to create a smooth appearance. There’s quite a dramatic difference and it works so well to achieve our goals of modernising the space. Bathroom Half subway tiles, half wallpaper works well to balance the patterns and perks of each. Ceiling-to-floor in one pattern might have been overkill but the white tiles give it some breathing room and freshness. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FIND WHILE SOURCING FITTINGS/FURNITURE/SURFACES? Study The teal paint by Dulux used on the existing bookshelf. It originally had a dated antique-style finish – a simple lick of paint was all it needed to completely transform it into quite an impressive feature. Bathroom I’m a sucker for anything black and gold, so this mirror from Con Amore really hit the spot. It brings the space together. copperleafstudio.co.za

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Kelly’s use of paint to update the cabinets is a textbook example of the power of colour to transform a space. Be bold and have fun with it – it’s not permanent, so if you want to change it at some point you can

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R E N O VA T I O N T R E N D S

SOURCE BOOK CHESSIE ELLENBOGEN BATHROOM Paint Dulux Cracked Clay 1 (duluxpaints.co.za) KITCHEN Paint Dulux Grey Steel 1 (duluxpaints.co.za) Carpenter Sam Devine (samueldevinecarpentry.com) Oven Smeg (smeg.co.za) Encaustic tiles Hadeda (hadedashop.com) Pendant lights Le Basse-Cour (bassecour.co.za) TRISTAN DU PLESSIS Bed Weylandts (weylandts.co.za) Sidetables Studio A Interiors (studioa.co.za) Lights Serge Mouille (sergemouille.com) Objet d’art Seletti from Generation (generationdesign.co.za) Ottomans Amatuli (amatuli.co.za) Armchair OKHA (okha.com)

Treating the outdoor space as a ‘room’ was the reason behind the success of Kate’s veranda – think indoor when choosing lights and paving the floor, the change in mindset will make a huge difference in the sophistication of the outcome

KATE WILSON, INTERIOR DESIGNER Kate’s flowerbed-to-veranda transformation added a much-needed outdoor space just beyond the living room. Working at Tessa Proudfoot Designs has shaped her aesthetic to include a colonial and eclectic look WHAT WAS THE PRIMARY GOAL OF YOUR RENOVATION? Our house seriously lacked an outdoor entertainment area and as we entertain a lot, a veranda next to the pool made perfect sense. We wanted to be able to open the whole house in summer, so we created a covered veranda that became an extension of the interior by way of folding stacking doors. WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FEATURE? We absolutely love the herringbone brick floors

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of the veranda; they provide the classic colonial feel we wanted. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FIND WHILE SOURCING FITTINGS/FURNITURE/SURFACES? The Indian glass hanging light was a great find from Weylandts. They are reasonably priced and finish the space off beautifully. WERE THERE ANY UNEXPECTED EXPENSES? Once we had discovered parquet under the carpets, it completely blew the budget refurbishing the floors! IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D DO DIFFERENTLY? We would have added drop-down blinds from the start. The late afternoon sun is strong, which is the perfect time for sitting on the veranda having a drink with friends. tessaproudfoot.co.za

MISHA COETZEE Builder Manick Construction (manickconstruction@gmail.com) Tiles Italtile (italtile.co.za) Vanity and cabinet Custom designed by Misha (brandslut.co.za), made by Huttons KELLY ADAMI BATHROOM Tiles and bathroom fittings Italtile (italtile.co.za) Wallpaper United Wallcoverings (unitedwallcoverings.co.za) STUDY Paint Plascon in Meteor (plascon.com) Carpet Rebtex (rebtexrsa.com) KATE WILSON Indian hanging glass lights Weylandts (weylandts.co.za) Zebra hide What Not Fabrics (whatnot.co.za) Coffee table The Private House Company (privatehouseco.co.za) Fur throws as seat covers Weylandts (weylandts.co.za) B&W fabric on bench Halogen outdoor range (halogen.co.za) Colonial-style palms The Garden Shop (gardenshop.co.za) Bricks Corobrik (corobrik.co.za)

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WHEN THEY SAY ‘IN WRITING’, THEY MEAN… There’s no harm in coming to the assistance of someone with whom you are contracting. Imagine you sell your interest in a close corporation (with your residential home as the corporation’s sole asset) to P and providing in the agreement that P must have confirmation of loan approval by a certain date. But a few days before the due date for the loan approval, P tells you that he needs more time and, in contemplation of helping along the transaction, you agree orally that he can have another 30 days. P now turns around, before expiry of the additional 30 days, and cancels the sale, stating the fact that he could not get financing in the initial period agreed to, as the reason. You think he has no right to do so, as the period in which to obtain financing was extended.

The scenario above is similar to the facts in the 2010 matter of Dreyer v Lubbe. Upholding P’s argument, the Western Cape High Court noted that the written agreement between the parties had a clause stating that no variation of any terms of the agreement would be valid unless reduced to writing and signed by the parties. (This is often referred to as a ‘non variation’ clause and is commonly included in agreements.) As such, the oral variation of a material term was invalid and the agreement did in fact lapse when P failed to get loan approval by the date stipulated. Agreements have many particularities and potential pitfalls. Have an expert property attorney on your side to make sure your transaction runs smoothly all the way. Contact us at info@stbb.co.za.

WHEN IT COMES TO HOME OWNERSHIP, LET OUR FAMILY LOOK OUT FOR YOURS

MORE THAN JUST THE PAPER WORK

PHOTOGRAPHSSupplied

PG SMARTGLASS X2 CAN KEEP YOUR HOME TWICE AS WARM THIS WINTER

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ADVERTORIAL

WINTER SMARTS

Clever design means using the best products available. PG SmartGlass X2 is the answer for sustainablity and cost saving

his winter, you can keep toasty with PG SmartGlass X2, a double-glazed glass product that provides insulation from the cold and offers added security, sound absorption and energy efficiency.

HOW DOES PG SMARTGLASS X2 WORK? Double-glazed, sealed insulating glass units are manufactured by bonding two or more panes of glass together, but separated by a spacer to create an airtight or hermetically sealed space. The space between the two panes of glass and coatings on the inside and outside effectively manage heat, light and sound transmission from the outside in. Double glazing (X2) is equally effective in warmer climates – light is managed in such a way that it keeps interiors cool in summer and warm in winter because it increases the overall insulation value of a home.

HOW DOES IT OUTPERFORM ORDINARY GLASS? Easy to retrofit into an existing home, PG SmartGlass X2 outperforms on a number of levels but particularly in terms of its capacity for heat

insulation and its UV-resistant properties. Regular glass can be responsible for up to 40% of heat loss in a home, making it expensive to keep warm in winter via the usual avenues.

HOW DOES IT INCREASE ENERGY EFFICIENCY? Four signature glass options have been designed to suit north-, south-, east- or west-facing windows. Each one (Standard, Plus, Elite and Superior) has winter-comfort properties based on different levels of performance. These include lowering what’s known as the U-value, a measure of internal heat loss for the window, and controlling up to 70% of natural light transmission, which decreases the sun’s radiation. PG SmartGlass X2 laminates filter up to 99% of harmful UV radiation, which also decreases fading and degradation of fabrics, furniture, artworks, equipment and plants by 92%, allowing them to retain their colour and last longer. Most importantly, PG SmartGlass is SANS 10400XA compliant, giving homeowners the opportunity to maximise the use of glass in their homes while adhering to all construction and safety regulations. X2 comes with a 10-year glass warranty.

FOR MORE INFO For more detailed information, visit pgsmartglass.co.za or call 0860 695 695.

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CAR TRENDS

In recent years, motor shows have been demure affairs, previewing a motoring future littered with straight-laced eco-conscious cars that filled enthusiasts with dread TEXT Terence Steenkamp PHOTOGRAPHS Supplied

SHOWSTOPP

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PPERS! …And make no mistake, those vehicles – crucial as they are to a responsible motoring future – again filled the massive halls of this year’s Geneva Motor Show. But lurking between them were production and concept cars that place the driver’s pleasure points front and centre. And they’re not necessarily the evil implements their wild styling and outrageous performance figures suggest. Some incorporate hybrid powertrains that promise to lessen their effect on our environment. thers use lightweight and downsi ed engines to equal the performance of yesteryear’s supercars without spewing tons of carbon dioxide into the air. ere, we profile the nine stars from Geneva that are prime examples.

THE CONCEPT STARS MERCEDES-AMG GT CONCEPT

The most powerful car on this list is also the only one with four doors and previews Mercedes-Ben ’s future sportscar technology. Under the strikingly penned GT Concept’s suave lines is a conventional 4.0-litre V8 engine with twin-turbochargers. But it’s been mated with an electric motor that – combined – feeds 600kW to all four wheels. Why is it important? Two-fold: a production model will follow next year; and the GT Concept can decouple its front axle and run solely on electric power, emitting very little harmful gases into the atmosphere. PEUGEOT INSTINCT

The following line should banish any doubts you might have that our driving future is filled with autonomous cars: ver dreamt of owning a car that offers complete peace of mind with full awareness of its surroundings?’ That’s French carmaker Peugeot talking about its Instinct plug-in-hybrid shooting brake concept car. Through a combo of self-driving tech and its integration into the Internet of Things cloud it can, for example, switch on your home lights when you approach or completely take over driving duties by stowing the steering wheel and pedals. Thankfully, a rive’ mode will ensure the pilot remains in control, and Peugeot promises he or she will have loads of fun behind the wheel.

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LIKE MOST FERRARIS, THE 812 SUPERFAST PROMISES TO BECOME ULTRA COLLECTABLE

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The clue’s in the name – Ferrari’s 812 Superfast is exactly that; lighter and brawnier, the McLaren 720S uses trick aerodynamics to achieve an incredible 341km/h top speed; the new Audi RS5’s engine may have shrunk, but its big-chested roar hasn’t; Performante ... the new Lambo’s name conjures up images of sunny days driving Tuscany’s beautiful roads; the Porsche GT3’s interior is all business – its exterior, meanwhile, is German-like in its subtlety OPENING SPREAD, FROM LEFT Mercedes-AMG’s striking GT Concept previews the firm’s upcoming four-door supercar; a duality of driving character defines Peugeot’s jaw-dropping Instinct

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CAR TRENDS

THE HAIR-RAISING PRODUCTION STARS AUDI RS5 COUPÉ

It may have lost a whopping 1.3 litres in displacement and two cylinders on its engine but the latest RS5 is both quicker and cleaner than the outgoing model. If that isn’t progress, sign me up for a bike-share scheme. Swiping its new 2.9-litre V6 engine, which has its two banks of cylinders split by a pair of turbochargers from Porsche’s striking Panamera, the RS5 two-door takes a mere 3.9 seconds to reach 100km h, a figure that would have given bragging rights to a supercar a mere five years ago. et’s not forget this is a midrange coupé based on the humble A4 sedan. FERRARI 812 SUPERFAST

The name isn’t exactly ambiguous, is it? Billed as the ‘most powerful and fastest’ series model in Ferrari’s history, the 812 Superfast retains its predecessor’s sublime 6.5-litre V12 engine but it’s been stroked to deliver a staggering 5 k – or the same figure as the 12 used in Ferrari’s hybrid hypercar, the aFerrari (who comes up with these names ) Matching the ambo’s sprint time to 100km h, the Superfast has longer legs and hits 340km/h before the V12 calls it quits. Ushering in a new design language for the brand (and a new colour called Rosso Settanta to celebrate the Prancing orse’s 70th birthday), the 812 Superfast looks set to replicate the success of the 4.9 Superfast of the 1950s. In fact, like most Ferraris, the 812 Superfast promises to become ultra collectable. Case in point: three classic Superfasts recently sold in the US for about $3 million… Each. LAMBORGHINI HURACÁN PERFORMANTE

The newest ambo has no problem living up to its evocative name. Setting a new lap record for production cars at that temple to driving, the N rburgring Nordschleife racetrack (in the process besting the previous record holder, the Porsche 91 Spyder hybrid hypercar), the Italian company’s engineers have performed black magic on nearly every component of the Huracán to trim overall weight to that of a family hatchback. But no family hatchback has an engine like this. The Performante’s naturally aspirated, 470k 5.2-litre 10 fireball sited behind the cabin thrusts the latest Raging Bull to 100km/h in a staggering 2.9 seconds, while hellishly expensive carbon-composite brakes bring it to a standstill from that speed in just 31m. Top speed? Oh, a so-so 325km/h. MCLAREN 720S

ausing Ferrari countless nightmares back in Modena, British outfit Mc aren has made staggering progress in the mere six years it’s been churning out series-production cars. The latest salvo, the 720S – part of the brand’s Super Series range of models – is lighter but faster than the outgoing 650S, and introduces a reinterpretation of the Woking-based company’s design language, which is allegedly rooted in aerodynamic principles. Though, judging by the bug-eyed front-end, some of its designers dabble in entomology… Another prime example of the advantages of downsizing, the new 530kW V8 4.0-litre engine is easily more powerful than the one in the ambo, but is a city-car-engine-si ed 1.2 litres smaller. Ready for more ridiculous figures ere we go: 100km h in less than three seconds’, a 341km/h top speed and the ability to come to a complete stop from 200km h in just 4.6 seconds. et’s hope the driver behind concentrates when a 720S stomps on its stoppers. PORSCHE 911 GT3

Bucking the trend for turbocharged engines coupled with robotised gearboxes, Porsche believes old school is cool with the new, lightweight GT3. Slung out back is a motorsport-derived 368kW 4.0-litre engine hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox converting power to the massive rear wheels. Adding to the racing car aesthetic are racing bucket seats that trim weight further, as well as rear wheels that can turn in the same direction as the ones in front to aid stability at high speeds, or face the opposite way at more sedate velocities to heighten agility. ocal order books for the T3 have opened but if you’ve got the R2.75-million required to add your name to the list, jump to it, as Porsche will import limited numbers.

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THE HUMBLE PRODUCTION STARS ALPINE A110

Alpine is back! The Renault subsidiary has many a nostalgic follower, but last produced cars under its own name in the 1970s. With the frisky A110, which resurrects a name last used in the 1960s on a vehicle that set the rallying world alight, Alpine (pronounced ‘Al-peen’) joins the ranks of Mazda and Alfa Romeo in offering a relatively low-cost sportscar that promises driving thrills aplenty. Installed behind the driver is a lithe 1.8-litre engine with a massive turbocharger that allows the A110 to crest the benchmark 100km/h sprint in a mere 4.5 seconds. But, thanks to an aluminium-intensive body structure, mass has been kept to a minimum. And that will allow the Alpine to curb its fuel consumption without impacting driving enjoyment. Isn’t that the rosy future of the automobile? TATA TAMO RACEMO

From the unlikeliest of automakers, Tata – that Indian builder of family-friendly fare, taxis and trucks – comes this wildly styled, butter y-doored little sportscar. Under its new experimental sub-brand Tamo, Tata’s Racemo (another questionable moniker) has a compact 1.2-litre engine with some 138kW. And that’s plenty when the vehicle promises to weigh not much more than a ton thanks to a new sandwich oor structure called M Flex. hat’s more, gamers can add the Racemo to F o r z a H o r iz o n 3 thanks to a partnership between Tata and Microsoft. Cool.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT Agent provocateur Alpine returns to the sportscar fray with the dainty A110; Gallic pride abounds on the A110; the Tata Tamo Racemo’s interior looks like a game station, unsurprising considering its already available in Forza Horizon 3 OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT The new slickly styled Range Rover Velar neatly slots in between the Evoque and Sport models in terms of price and size; Volvo’s XC60 prioritises safety features and chic Swedish minimalism; for everyone else, there’s the new Ford Fiesta ST ... which will probably be more fun to drive than any of these other cars

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CAR TRENDS

FANCY FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE? Land Rover and Volvo both used Geneva to unveil new SUVs that will soon clog the streets of Sandton, Sea Point and the South Coast. The Range Rover Velar and XC60 each promise exceptionally frugal running â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the former with its 2.0-litre Ingenium engines; the latter using a range of Drive-E ultra-optimised powerplants â&#x20AC;&#x201C; semi-autonomous driving ability and indulgent interiors with the latest in infotainment, comfort and safety technology. Expect the Velar to reach our shores before year-end, with the XC60 hot on its heels.

HOT HATCH HOMELINESS Head spinning from all the remarkable power, performance and price figures? Enter the Ford Fiesta ST, a family- and pocket-friendly five-door with only three cylinders (one of which can be deactivated to increase efficiency) but plenty of punch, electric sound enhancement of the engine and the latest tech toys such as a tablet screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It arrives early next year.

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100

RIGHT ONE Chas Everitt LUXURY Corporate advert April 2017 Monday, March 20, 2017 9:46:50 AM

TEXT Genevieve Putter PHOTOGRAPHS Anish Kapoor, Zaha Hadid Architects, Malcolm Reading Consultants, Lahdelma and Mahlamäki Architects, David Morley Architects, Adam Mørk, Andrew Marshall, supplied

P R O P E R T Y N E W S , AWA R D S A N D I N V E S T M E N T A D V I C E

LONDON’S NEW HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL In September last year, the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation and the Department for Communities and Local Government launched an international two-stage design competition to honour the victims and survivors of the human tragedy. The symbolic site for the new memorial and learning centre is at the heart of Britain’s democracy: next to the Houses of Parliament in Victoria Tower Gardens and adjacent to the River Thames. The Gardens already feature three prominent memorial monuments from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These commemorate the expansion of suffrage, the abolition of slavery, and civic sacrifice. Finalists were announced in January and included some of the world’s most prolific architectural personalities and firms, such as David Adjaye, Ron Arad Architects, Anish Kapoor and Zaha Hadid Architects. The winner will be announced in mid-2017. malcolmreading.co.uk

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MARKETPLACE

FOUNTAINS AND MOUNTAINS WORTH OF CREATIVITY Bjarke Ingels Group’s (BIG) winning design for the new 17 500m2 S.Pellegrino Flagship Factory in Italy will be constructed over the next four years along with local architecture firm Studio Verticale. In its proposed design, BIG embraces the surrounding forces of nature, pays homage to the classic elements of Italian architecture and urbanism, and taps into S.Pellegrino’s industrial heritage. The €90 million project is expected to bring economic, tourism, social and employment benefits to local communities as well as the entire Lombardy region. Ground will break in 2018. big.dk

CAPE TOWN’S URBAN DEVELOPMENT Last month, we featured 100 Buitengracht in Cape Town, quoting José Rodrigues, director of Vantage Property. But we inadvertently included the incorrect contact details. Plans are afoot for the development of what is being touted as the largest mixed-use Green Star-rated development in the CBD. ‘100 Buitengracht will comprise 4 000m2 of convenience retail but, most importantly, it will deliver significant housing (250 residential units) and expanded economic opportunities to many who may travel into the CBD daily, wasting hours in the traffic,’ says Rodrigues. jose@vantageprop.co.za

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY With Brexit’s weakening of the pound, London is once again the focus of foreign investors. But one of Chelsea’s oldest estate agents Russell Simpson is simultaneously finding a growing trend of sellers in London making their homes available to let and buy as a reaction to a toughening prime property market. The idea is to entice potential purchasers to ‘try before they buy’. London’s A-list properties include Ovington Square – close to Harrods – where Bill Gates, Woody Allen, Joan Collins and Sienna Miller have lived. The duplex apartment is priced at £4 750 per week for a long let, £6 500 per week (short let) and £4.5 million to purchase. Russell Simpson believes this will be an ongoing trend this year. russellsimpson.co.uk

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STAIRWAY TO SCIENCE HEAVEN Denmark’s new science centre the Experimentarium is setting a new benchmark. The 16 exhibition spaces and an Interactive Film Theatre were designed in conjunction with Canadian Science Center, Science North. CEBRA, winner of the architectural competition to design the centre, created the striking architectural centerpiece of a curved copper-clad Helix staircase, inspired by the DNA molecule’s spiral shape. The cost of the Experimentarium, from acquiring the land to installing the exhibitions, came to more than R1.5 billion and took three years to build. experimentarium.dk

EAST COAST’S GOLF PARADISE Ernie Els Design is set to complete East Africa’s first signature golf course at the new Zanzibar Amber Resort this year. Located on the northeast of the Zanzibar Archipelago, among islands renowned for their natural beauty, the 638ha development extends across 4km of Indian Ocean coastline. The estate, which comprises penthouse condos, beachside villas and private islands, is the first opportunity for noncitizens to access a titled property in Zanzibar. For tourists, there will be five international hotels to choose from, making it the first resort to have such a portfolio. ernieels.com; zanzibaramberresort.com

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HOUGHTON RIDGE, JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA • R100 MILLION

This Houghton Ridge home is built on four levels to optimise the spectacular views. It has eight bedrooms en-suite and an array of reception rooms often associated with boutique hotels. The luxury property includes several dining rooms, a private nightclub, spa, library, gym and boardroom/conference facilities. There is also a heated indoor swimming pool, as well as a glamorous outside training pool. The formal terraced gardens were based on the Peterhof Palace in Russia. The classic Palladian architecture evokes the glamour of the Belle Époque period, while showcasing the latest technological and environmentally efficient features. The property took six years to complete. Bedrooms 8 Bathrooms 8 Garages 6 Living areas 12 Rory O’Hagan +27(0)83 328 8888 rory@everitt.co.za Jorge Santoro +27(0)71 986 8248 jorge.santoro@everitt.co.za www.chaseveritt.co.za web ref: CVSA-3020

KENTON-ON-SEA, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA • R60 MILLION

This unique property encompasses a lodge in a wildlife reserve. It offers a bespoke private residence including two luxury tented safari units with traversing rights over a 10 000ha private game reserve in the Eastern Cape. The eco-tourism reserve and photographic safari destination embraces two major rivers, which are navigable from the property into the Indian Ocean. This exceptionally picturesque landscape provides a dramatic backdrop to Big Five game viewing. Bedrooms 11 Bathrooms 11 Living areas 8 Steve Tredoux +27(0)83 212 1034 steve.t@everitt.co.za www.luxuryportfolio.com web ref: FP0004

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ILLOVO, JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA • R25 MILLION

This new Georgian residence offers four large reception rooms and a stunning kitchen leading to central patio and landscaped garden with a lap pool. Features include his-and-hers studies, a French oak panelled wine cellar, pool house/gym, triple garage and luxury staff/guest cottage, all within walking distance of the Inanda Club and St David’s. The property is beautifully crafted for a luxurious lifestyle, with quality finishes and top security. Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4.5 Garages 3 Living areas 6 Jonathan Broekman +27 (0)83 444 1155 jonathan@homesofdistinction.co.za Wendy Melville +27 (0)83 233 7752 www.homesofdistinction.co.za web ref: RL502

BRYANSTON, JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA • R14.95 MILLION

This family home sets the scene for a secure and comfortable lifestyle. The new home offers reception rooms with doors leading to a pergola terrace overlooking a landscaped garden and heated pool. Features include an eat-in kitchen, a pyjama lounge, a guest suite and a study. There’s also a granny flat with its own entrance, which you could use to work from home, garaging for four cars and a staff suite. Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms 7.5 Garages 4 Living areas 6 Jonathan Broekman +27 (0)83 444 1155 jonathan@homesofdistinction.co.za Wendy Melville +27 (0)83 233 7752 www.homesofdistinction.co.za web ref: RL217

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BRYANSTON, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA • R8.75 MILLION

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CMY

-DESTINATION-

RETIREMENT

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Opportunities for retirees are increasing but for those seeking the best investment, it’s worth keeping up to speed with trends and being prepared to invest earlier TEXT Georgina Guedes and Anne Schauffer PHOTOGRAPHS iStock by Getty Images, supplied

nvestors see South Africa as a land of retirement opportunity. Yet, despite our clement climate, excellent private healthcare providers and an increasing number of new retirement estates being built to meet demand, retirement planning re uires careful financial consideration. omparing all the investment options well ahead of time and registering early is key. For many years, retiring to a leading estate in the ape was the trend, but with multigenerational mature lifestyle estates on the increase countrywide, the whole balance has changed. Interestingly, recent strategic planning and a more holistic approach to the reality of retirees’ needs in KwaZulu-Natal is paving the way for increased retirement development in the province. e look first at the creation of what could be retirement’s leading province in the near future, and then, on page 56, we compare a selection of estates and developments in the rest of the country. RETIREMENT HAVEN OF KWAZULU-NATAL

For developers of retirement villages and estates, getting the numbers to crunch while still meeting retirees’ needs, pockets and expectations is often a tricky recipe, and one of the major reasons why there has been a bottleneck of retirees and retirement options. This has been particularly applicable in hot property areas such as the Kwa ulu-Natal North oast, where property land prices are at a premium. The advice always given to retirees is ‘retire near where you live’ or ‘don’t move away from friends and family’. Yet available facilities – particularly affordable ones – have waiting lists of 10 years or more. Tongaat Hulett Developments ( t hdev . c o. z a) – or THDev – has vast land holdings in KwaZulu-Natal, and the increasing clamour by retirees for suitable developments prompted it – through Rainmaker Marketing – to conduct intensive local and international research into retirees’ fine print. The North oast in particular ticks many retirement boxes, from climate to easy access to air travel and the seaside. The upshot is that retirement developments are now part of the broader THDev plan. THE IMPACT OF LONGEVITY

Although THDev is not the only facilitator in this space, it is driving the concept of KwaZulu-Natal as the country’s most desirable retirement capital. It is not at all far-fetched. For some time, developers have reported that up to half the interest in KwaZulu-Natal as South Africa’s retiree haven emanates from Gauteng. A factor affecting financing of retirement is longevity. lobally, average life expectancy has increased by five years since 2005. The over-60 market has been the fastest growing population group over the past five years. More retirees, living longer and stronger, also means there is often a shortfall in retirement savings. Retirees downscaling focus as much on finance as on si e. But there is good news, because ground is breaking throughout the province on retirement facilities. uMhlanga has always had a few highly sought-after retirement villages, but increasingly, there are villages within gated estates so a range of age groups can live together or as neighbours. Brettenwood oastal state ( b r et t enw ood. c o. z a) in Ballito is a good example. There was a shortage of North oast retirement products,’ says sales director Peter ameron. e wanted an estate where grandparents could live in the best retirement village in the province, and their children could live down the road in a freestanding house or within an apartment, all within the safe walls of Brettenwood.’ Phase one, two and three sold out between 200 and 2015 a total of 159 homes. Values have increased by 40%. In Salt Rock, Palm akes Retirement illage ( p almlak esf ami ly est at e. c o. z a) is located within Royal Palm Property oldings’ Palm akes Family state. More than 500 homes range from full title to sectional title and ats, and there is an Aldem ealth are ( aldem. c o. z a) onsite clinic for basic healthcare services. A medical levy includes all primary and emergency healthcare as well as emergency ambulance services, and there is optional home care and frail care services.

OYSTER-BOX STYLE

The North oast has two new developments, one high-end, the other more affordable. Alongside imbali is a uli ( laz uli est at e. c o. z a) , aimed at the elite 50-plus market. lenn esse, M of enprop evelopers ( c enp r op . c o. z a) , describes a uli as an upmarket, brilliant location, young retiree sectional title lock-up-and-go units with sea and or golf course views, from R3.5 million to R7 million’. e’ll have a fabulous gym, 25m heated training pool, 30m eco-pool, 4ha landscaped gardens, dams, wetlands, a business centre with o ces to buy or rent, staff allowed, pets permitted and a wellness care centre (not frail care) for short-term, five-star recuperation,’ esse says. Picture yster Box-style accommodation for a few days.’ Phase one includes about 100 units, the first 23 under construction phase two will comprise 30 units, and there will be 40 freehold sites for bespoke homes. EMBRACING RETIREMENT

and at Sibaya oastal Precinct ( di sc ov er si b ay a. c o. z a) , bordering Umdloti, is the massive multiuse development being strategically released to developers by Tongaat ulett. The first retirement product is due to be launched in the first quarter of this year. ‘We have adopted four pillars that will be the overarching ethos in every retirement development that armel are plans to initiate – lifestyle, care, security and sustainability,’ says esley Smith of armel are Properties (a division of armel are), which is behind the 400-unit development. ‘As a development team, our main objective is to create an opportunity where seniors can embrace retirement and live active, healthy lives within a lifestyle estate at a price point most suited to a larger segment of the retirement market,’ says Smith. Rainmaker Marketing’s research indicated that 27% of the market seeks a price point between R2 million and R4 million. This product is tailored to meet this midmarket segment. Pets are allowed and each unit has an allocated storage facility.

WHAT ARE YOUR OPTIONS?

Kwa ulu-Natal’s South oast has always been considered a more affordable retirees’ haven and there are numerous retirement or lifestyle options that follow the life right model. Three Umdoni Retirement illages are nonprofit organisations that offer affordable accommodation, but have a long waiting list. More recent sectional title offerings include esley Properties’ akeview ifestyle Retirement illage in Scottburgh, which offers an over-50s lifestyle estate complete with clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, and other amenities. When complete, it will total 9 cottages, 14 one-bedroom ats and 2 bedsits, with frail-care facilities at affordable rates. Also in Scottburgh, Renishaw ills ifestyle illage ( r eni shaw hi lls. c o. z a) , part of the Mpambanyoni onservation evelopment, is focused on the environment. The design philosophy includes interconnected villages, solar panels, grey water harvesting, passive cooling and patios for natural ventilation. Phase one of the plot and plan designs is complete, phase two, recently launched. Ultimately, there will be 350 standalone homes and 170 ats. There is an on-site health service. Says developer Phil Barker of Renishaw Property evelopments: The properties are sold under sectional title, which is a community scheme encompassing individual ownership of properties (via title deed) plus an undivided share of common property.’ However, there are other options for buyers. There are excellent options in the Upper ighway area – illcrest ountry Retirement state ( hi llc r est r et i r ement . c o. z a) developers Roy Alderdice and ulian Beare’s Rob Roy uxury Retirement ( r ob r oy li f est y lev i llag es. c o. z a) , where phase four of 16 ats, called Inverness, has recently launched and the over-50s lifestyle village of e omaine ( ledom. c o. z a) in Inanda Road.

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KZN’S RETIREMENT CAPITAL

But the retirement capital of KwaZulu-Natal is Howick. From a tiny village fringing the Midlands, it has become the choice of retirees from Pietermaritzburg, Gauteng and other parts of South Africa in e ual measure. Affordability, pricing, climate and country living are the drivers. Vaughan Armstrong, director of Logivest 9, the company which developed Amber Ridge, Amber Lakes and Amber Lee villages, part of the Greater Ambers retirement complex ( amb er - v alley . c o. z a) , says Howick began as a retirement destination in 19 9 when Ian and Rob Taylor developed the 400-unit Amberfield illage. Amberglen and Amber Valley (completed by the Taylors’ associate, Terry Aupais) followed. The last 30 units of Amber Lee are planned for this year. A GROWING MARKET

Armstrong says Amber Valley was the beginning of the Greater Ambers, a complex of independent sectional title villages (Amber Valley, Ridge, Lakes and Lee) co-operating to their mutual benefit in the sharing of services, facilities and management personnel. ‘This co-operative arrangement results in minimal duplication of facilities and services. It also results in substantially reduced levy payments because of the economies of scale of contributions towards operating and maintenance costs from the residents of about 1 100 houses,’ says Armstrong. The average size of units in the Ambers is about 155m2, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study and a double garage. Such a unit in 2016 sold for R2 million. Purchasers in the early phases of Amber Valley have seen an annual escalation in the value of more than 15%. Many units are rented out. Hesse is developing St John’s Village ( st j ohnsv i llag e. c o. z a) , a multigenerational, multiuse country-style estate where fishing, designated vegetable herb allotments for residents, pets, The rchard ouse coffee shop and more replicate village life. ‘It’s ideal for families, either in The Vineyards as one huge family unit in a larger home or separately with grandparents in The Arboretum or The Orchards and the younger family in The Vineyards,’ says Hesse.

There are a range of options: sectional title, freehold sites to design and build a home within architectural guidelines, or ready-built homes from subdevelopers. Hesse says The Meadows will be released in April or May, a ‘pocket’ focused on families with children. Completed houses sell for between R1.795 million for a freestanding, sectional title unit and R3.6 million for a double-storey family home. JOBURG, CAPE TOWN AND THE GARDEN ROUTE

When it comes to retirement in KwaZulu-Natal, the market is there and growing. But there are also retirement leaders in Joburg, Cape Town and the Garden Route. When considering a retirement destination, priorities could include location and specialist care as highlighted by these options. LEADERS IN STYLE

Situated between Pretoria and Johannesburg, Waterfall Estate ( w at er f all. c o. z a) is a satellite city with its own hospital, schools and central business district. It will ultimately contain three mature lifestyle developments, the first being aterfall ills Mature Lifestyle Estate. It has received two CNBC International Property Awards: Best International Retirement Development in the World and Best Retirement Development in South Africa, and the Globals 2011 World’s Best Retirement Resort. La Clemence ( lac lemenc e. c o. z a) is a luxury retirement village in the Cape Winelands that, when complete, will incorporate 138 architect-designed homes, offered for freehold ownership. The village has been designed to be a modern interpretation of the Cape Dutch style, amid beautifully landscaped gardens. It launched in 2005 and has sold out in each of its four development phases. As it nears completion, most of the homes in the development are already occupied, although some homes are available for resale. It also offers frail care and subacute facilities for both long- and short-term stays. And although the idea of leading style in retirement is usually focused on freestanding homes, there are many who would prefer to retire into apartmentstyle living. One to watch is a new retirement hotel concept under development in

TOP RIGHT TO LEFT Zevenwacht (zevenwacht.co.za) in Stellenbosch has breathtaking views of Table Bay and False Bay; the architecture of the Somerset Lifestyle Estate’s (thesomerset.co.za) village is a fusion of the vernacular of the Winelands and the original architecture of Somerset West

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Plettenberg Bay that provides high-end retirement accommodation in luxury oneand two-bedroom apartments, with either sea, river or mountain views. The Plett Platinum, as it is called – developed by Chas Everitt ( c hasev er i t t . c o. z a) – is located in the hub of Plett, with easy access to bouti ues, coffee shops and restaurants. The apartment block will have a reception area, luxury lounge, dining room, library, gym, spa, pool and hair salon. It will also have a frail-care suite with a state-of-the-art care centre and nursing station, but assisted living will take place in the residents’ apartments. Apartments are available on a sectional title basis. LEADERS IN VALUE

While for most retirees, their choice of a retirement home is dictated by location, comfort and amenities, many still want their asset to appreciate over time. Many non-retired investors are now considering the value contained in retirement developments. According to the Collins Group ( c olli nsg r oup . c o. z a) , one of South Africa’s largest private developers, retirement estates are becoming an exceptionally lucrative prospect as they experience great capital appreciation and rental returns. The Collins Group’s Mount Edgecombe Retirement Village ( mer v . c o. z a) , for example, is a particularly good investment opportunity. It is secured with a deposit. Then, after 1 to 24 months, the first payment is made on transfer, with the property already enjoying a 20% to 30% capital growth in that period. ‘An example of retirement investments experiencing capital appreciation can be seen within established retirement estates in uMhlanga,’ says Murray Collins, director of the Collins Group. ‘Certain units have appreciated by more than 200% over a twoyear period and rental income, on a moderately sized three-bedroom unit, fetches between R16 000 and R20 000 per month. This makes for an exceptionally strong and stable annuity income once the unit is paid off.’ Hein Ehlers, CEO of the Devmark Property Group ( dev mar k . c o. z a) , agrees: ‘Retirement villages have proven to be some of the best property investments with high returns being the order of the day. Some of our retirement villages have shown capital growth of 40% over three years. This is phenomenal growth.’

Their star returns performer has been Helderberg Manor in Somerset West, which stands among their other successful villages including Cle du Cap, Heritage Manor, Onrus Manor, La Vie Est Belle, Villa Cortona and Plettenberg Manor. LEADERS IN LOCATION

The Garden Route, Cape Town and the Winelands include leading retirement villages, making them attractive options – especially for those who want to either buy freehold and build a house large enough to holiday together with family while living within an estate with all the frail care amenities. In the Winelands, MSP’s Zewenwacht Lifestyle Estate ( z ev enw ac ht - li f est y leest at e. c o. z a) includes views of Table Bay and False Bay from its own lookout point. It offers 99 upmarket two- and three-bedroom units with double garages for over50s and has a close link to fully equipped frail care. Interest by younger buyers has revealed the rising trend in investing in a retirement property while still working. Nooitgedacht Village, which is located in the historic Nooitgedacht Estate ( nooi t g edac ht est at e. c o. z a) in Stellenbosch, is a mixture of residential, commercial and retail components that cater for all phases of life – from young couples starting a family to retirees. This is another example of integrated, multigenerational estates offering retirement homes within the village, so that owners can interact with the community and benefit from the shared facilities. Val de Vie Estate ( v aldev i e. c o. z a) has recently announced that it will launch a retirement village. Again, residents will have access to top-class facilities, including frail care, but will also be integrated with the other benefits of living on this secure and exclusive polo estate. There’s a vibrant mix of cosmopolitan residents and families of all ages, all within a 40-minute drive of Cape Town. Along the Garden Route, one of the most popular choices is currently the Knysna Lifestyle Estate ( k le. c o. z a) , with both freehold and life right options, making it one of the most attractive retirement destinations on the Garden Route to invest in. Residents have the benefit of living within the pictures ue town of Knysna along with magnificent views of Knysna agoon and the eads.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Waterfall Estate (waterfall.co.za) is a satellite city with its own shopping centre, hospital and business district with three integrated retirement villages under development; the sites at St John’s (stjohnsvillage.co.za) in the heart of the KZN Midlands near Howick overlook the enchanting arboretum garden, offering residents communal English-style allotments; Lazuli Coastal Retirement Estate (lazuliestate.co.za) has been designed so that residents can live independent, active and happy lives with access to luxury assisted living and home-based care facilities

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Monte Christo Retirement Estate ( mont ec hr i st o. c o. z a) is situated on a 54ha ecoestate also along the Garden Route, with panoramic views of Hartenbos and Mossel Bay. It offers retirees a choice of property options with the opportunity to customise their own homes by choosing from a selection of top-end finishes. Of course, for many people, a beautiful location is not the only priority when selecting a retirement destination and proximity to family is their most pressing criteria. The Waterkloof Marina Retirement Village in Pretoria by Central Developments ( c ent r aldev elop ment s. c o. z a) is a prime example of such an estate. From phase one, the development will have a 24-hour frail care centre, medical consulting rooms, a restaurant, central lounge, library facility, laundry services, cleaning services, a pool and a convenience shop. LEADERS IN SPECIALIST CARE

It can be hard for retirees to know in advance what level of care they might need in future. For this reason, it is critical to give careful consideration to the medical facilities and amenities of any retirement estate or mature lifestyle village. The very frail are often not accepted if they aren’t already residents in the village before needing care. However, according to Marlize van Rooyen, the marketing director of Retirement Villages SA ( r et i r ement v i llag essa. c om) , assisted living is taking over from frail care, as retirees prefer to ‘age in place’ or stay in their own accommodation while receiving the care they need from mobile nursing staff. ‘Because both traditional assisted living and care centres are the more expensive components of a village, villages of the future will have to consider care in all units to prevent the current shortages in care availability from recurring and to be relevant and financially viable,’ she says. Nonetheless, many estates offer both frail care and assisted living, based on their residents’ needs, and other upmarket retirement estates ensure that there is a highend hospital in close proximity. Riverside Manor in Sunninghill ( r i v er si der et i r ement . c o. z a) , for example, has a fully equipped frail care wing with up-to-date facilities and equipment in a tranquil setting, surrounded by well-maintained gardens. It can accommodate

18 residents, each in a private room, with 24-hour nursing care. The village is close to the Sunninghill Medi-Clinic. The Livewell Group ( li v ew ell. c ar e) , which has branches in Bryanston and Somerset est, offers award-winning dementia care that follows the international trend of making their villages as homely and comfortable as possible, while retaining ties with the outside community. Says Lou-Ann van Heerden, an occupational therapist at the Livewell Group, ‘We have responded to this by adding homely task-orientated groups. Currently we are implementing a new activity group which creates a sense of helpfulness and initiates interaction between the staff and residents.’ The residents participate in activities such as gardening, or cooking with the kitchen staff, as well as interacting with the public in the coffee shop. The Somerset Lifestyle and Retirement Village ( t hesomer set . c o. z a) in Somerset est not only offers exibility with life right and freehold options, but residents can also benefit from a special arrangement with the ivewell Suites, the highcare Alzheimer’s and dementia clinic (2km away) and the Vergelegen Mediclinic (1km away) for more advanced needs, in addition to the village’s own health care centre. La Vie Nouvelle in Broadacres ( lav i enouv elle. c o. z a) describes itself as a retirement estate and wellness centre, and has incorporated various healthy living characteristics into its design. It offers window placement to ensure enhanced natural air circulation, site placement to achieve peak natural heating and cooling, an exercise space for elderly rehabilitation, and integration with the surrounding wetlands for peace and tranquillity. There’s no doubt that the coastal retirement industry is one to watch and while areas such as Tokai might have reached capacity for new developments, developers are showing no signs of slowing down in other equally attractive areas. And, as the industry becomes more discerning and demanding of top health-care facilities combined with improved architectural designs for more attractive villages than we have seen in the past, so the playing fields become highly competitive and more viable for younger buyers in their 50s.

Knysna Lifestyle Estate (kle.co.za) along the Garden Route includes both life right and freehold options, making it an appealing investment for buyers

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DREAM HOME

I WANT TO INVEST IN…

Malta is an increasingly popular destination for South Africans looking to invest abroad. Property owners in the Mediterranean archipelago are granted citizenship within 12 to 14 months, which is then followed by full access to the EU, according to Lance Cohen, luxury market agent for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard. Investment starts from €200 000 to €250 000. The Maltese islands offer close proximity to Europe and the UK, and, with its temperate climate, it makes for an attractive holiday destination in the region. In addition, ‘there is a bustling community of expats who work on the island and it offers an attractive Residence and Visa programme for South Africans,’ says Cohen. ‘You can, for example, relocate there or alternatively invest in a holiday or retirement apartment that comes with residency and ease of movement across Europe as part of the package.’ This converted country house (see above) in the village of Gharghur is surrounded by 5 000m2 of land. The property includes a pool, orchard, vegetable garden and water features, and is on the market through Homes of Quality for €6.5 million, in association with Seeff Properties.

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USEFUL CONTACTS n Homes of Quality +356 2342 0000 homesofquality.com.mt n Seeff Properties seeff.com n IP Global property investment ipglobal-ltd.com n Monarch & Co monarchandco.com n Malta Uncovered maltauncovered.com n Lonely Planet travel guide lonelyplanet. com/malta

TEXT Kirsty Wilkins PHOTOGRAPH Supplied

MA LTA

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24/03/2017 08:25

1 bed 1 bath

R1 550 000 SEAPOINT

Hi James, I’m interested in the 1 bed in Seapoint. Let’s setup a time to take a look!

South Africa’s favourite property website. A home for everyone www.privateproperty.co.za

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2017/01/17

11:35 AM