Neighbourhood 6 OCTOBER 2019
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Life is beautiful Sea Point has always been a melting pot of residents and holiday-makers from all walks of life thriving together in this seaside neighbourhood, page 6
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COCKTAIL KITCHEN
yourneighbourhood.co.za
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MAGIC AT MAJEKA
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SUBURB FOCUS: SEA POINT
Connecting homeowners with great communities
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NEWS & LIFESTYLE
6 OCTOBER 2019
Editor’s exclusive CARLA REDELINGHUYS
Neighbourhood
In your hood:
V&A Waterfront
CAUSE|EFFECT | 021 422 0266 | Facebook: @CauseEffectBar
Mushrooms for pink power I f you’ve been into a Pick n Pay this month, you might’ve noticed something a bit different about the mushroom punnets in the fresh produce aisle.
For the entire October, mushrooms will be sold in pink punnets in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with R1 from each punnet sold donated to Reach for Recovery’s Ditto Project. This remarkable initiative provides silicone prostheses to women who cannot afford to purchase it themselves, let alone afford reconstructive surgery. Reach for Recovery’s management board chairperson Stephné Jacobs is passionate about the positive impact of the Power of Pink fundraising campaign and the success achieved by the Ditto Project. “Women in lowincome categories, diagnosed with breast cancer, deserve the same access to support services as anyone else. Through the Power of Pink we have the capacity to assist these women in reshaping their lives.” Partnering with Reach for Recovery is the South African Mushroom Farmers’ Association (Samfa) and Pick n Pay, who since 2010 have been tireless in their support of breast cancer survivors who find themselves in an even more difficult financial situation after a mastectomy. “Over the last nine years more than
R4m has been raised, enabling the campaign to change the lives of more than 6,000 women,” says Stephné. And if you were wondering what the connection is between mushrooms and breast cancer, mushrooms are thought to be particularly effective against breast and other hormone-related cancers because they inhibit an enzyme called aromatase, which produces oestrogen. Several types of mushrooms including white buttons and portobello varieties have indicated strong anti-aromatase activity.
Che scen
WORDS
So, can tossing some sliced mushrooms into your salad help reduce your risk of breast cancer? “Yes,” says City of Hope’s Shiuan Chen, PhD and chair of the Department of Cancer Biology at City of Hope’s Beckman Research Institute. “Mushrooms contain compounds that prevent estrogen levels from getting too high. Since estrogen is a factor in 70% of all breast cancer cases, maintaining healthy levels of the hormone makes sense as a preventative measure.” So be sure to head to the shops this month and do your bit to support a very worthy cause. And for some recipe inspiration, head to bit.ly/2mwCgZB.
Mix it up Kurt Schlechter’s new cocktail bar is going to be shaking up the Mother City this summer WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES IMAGES: RUSAAN SCHLECHTER & SUPPLIED
“T
his is CAUSE|EFFECT version 2.0,” smiles awardwinning mixologist Kurt Schlechter as he gazes down the long oak bar counter at CAUSE|EFFECT in the V&A Waterfront. There’s artificial greenery hugging the ceiling, and boxes of dried fynbos being snipped at by bartenders, clever clogs spinning under glass lids below the bar counter, and barrels of Old Fashioneds and Boulevardiers maturing behind it. It’s a mad kitchen of cocktail creation, and that’s just how Kurt likes it. Cocktail fans were quick to sit up and take notice when Kurt opened his first outpost in late 2017, but “our previous space was always just a steppingstone to something bigger”, he says. This new, bigger, space is in the old Rocket Shed of the V&A Waterfront. The shed was used to store a rocket-mounted harpoon that would be fired out to sea if a ship ran aground on the nearby rocks. Celebrating the flavours and culinary heritage of the Cape is key to the menu at CAUSE|EFFECT, where Kurt and his team of bartenders create both classic cocktails, Cape-infused creations, and some seriously wacky drinks. If you’ve ever sipped the sprinkles and candyfloss of a Richie the Rainbow Sparkle Unicorn you’ll know what I mean.
PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING
Kurt dubs his bar a “cocktail kitchen”, and this is certainly no place to pop in for a quick drink. Rather, Kurt wants patrons to settle in for a three-course experience. “You should start with an aperitif spritz drink, which is made with local and Italian vermouth. The main course is the experiential cocktails, and to finish you look to a vintage, classic or dessert cocktail,” Kurt explains. And there’s no shortage of innovation to keep you entertained through the courses. For the Nitro Martini an assortment of indigenous botanicals – “we’re obsessed with fynbos and what it can bring to the world of cocktails”, says Kurt – is freeze-dried, crushed and shaken with ice and gin. The Rocket, served in a beaded wire rocket, comes smoking before lift-off, and the King Protea is served in a crown of wooden petals. Along with fynbos, Kurt is also obsessed with Cape potstill brandy. Aside from blending it into many of the cocktails, there’s a brandy list extending to more than 60 premium labels. To help you make it through the evening there’s a selection of platters, small plates and light bites. If you love cocktails, or creativity behind the bar, the improved CAUSE|EFFECT is for you.
EDITORIAL TEAM:
ADVERTISING SALES:
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6 OCTOBER 2019
Neighbourhood
In your hood:
Stellenbosch
In your hood:
Majeka House | 021 880 1549 | majekahouse.co.za
NEWS & LIFESTYLE
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Paarl
Grande Roche Hotel | 021 863 5100 | grandroche.com
Turning over a new leaf
Chef Lucas Carstens is rocking the hyper-local scene at Majeka Kitchen in Stellenbosch WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK
IMAGES: KELI VAN DER WEIJDE
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xploring your own backyard can be just as adventurous as the most exotic safari, and far more sustainable. In food terms this is exactly what chef Lucas Carstens is focussing on at the renamed restaurant of boutique hotel Majeka House – celebrating seasonal ingredients, foraging, and sourcing most of his produce within 20km. We drove into the Stellenbosch hills to visit Mason Farm, one of Lucas’s main suppliers, where Edson Madangombe gave us a tour of immaculately maintained beds of organically grown edible flowers, leaves, baby beetroot, carrots, all sorts of decorative kales, and much more. Back in the kitchen, Lucas demonstrated the processes that went into turning a regular organic beetroot into a complex construction of umami chargrilled deliciousness. His dishes are pared down, creative, finding a foodie niche that isn’t traditional fine dining, but every bit as skilful, conferring intensity of flavour on simple ingredients. In the layered plating a vegetable is often the star, protein playing a supporting role. That’s not to say meat isn’t equally important, featuring Black Angus beef from Boschendal, pork from Glen Oakes, fish from Abalobi. Fine eating rather than fine dining is how owners Karine Dequeker and Lloyd van der Merwe described the Majeka Kitchen experience at dinner that evening, where Eddie Smit of Vriesenhof treated us to wine pairings of some really special vintages.
The menu is structured as a series of small plates of which you can choose four to seven in any order. After a delicious steamed octopus with lemon cream, nasturtium, unripe papaya and trout eggs, and the exceptional beetroot dish we’d watched being built in the kitchen earlier, we were wowed by the superb Vriesenhof Grenache 2011, paired with an adventurous plate of chilled thinly-shaved beef curls with mushroom emulsion and croutons. Our next meat dish also ticked all the boxes – lamb rib eye on boerenkas creme and wild nettle, hidden under
butter-poached slices of daikon radish and a spritz of lemon zest. If salted strawberries sound like a culinary paradox, try Lucas’s current dessert dish. The salting dehydrates the berries to concentrate the flavour to a new intensity, balanced by fresh sour milk ice cream, a delightful finale to the evening. Turning in after dinner to my extremely comfortable room at Majeka House, enfolded in glorious almost country peace, all that was left to do was enjoy a good night’s sleep before tackling the equally sumptuous breakfast extravaganza the next morning.
The grande dame The iconic Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl is back in South African hands and better than ever WORDS: SUPPLIED
IMAGES: CHARLES RUSSELL
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fter three decades of offshore ownership, this historic property at the foot of the Paarl Mountain was acquired by entrepreneurs Hansie and Theresa Britz earlier this year. Both born and raised in the small town, the couple shares a life-long association with the Grande Roche. “The Grande Roche has always occupied a special place in our hearts,” explains Hansie. “It’s part of the Paarl identity. When opportunity arose to buy it, we jumped without hesitation.” Johann Bouwer, director of the hotel, explains about the refurbishment, “Externally it’s a simple refresh, but our major focus has been rejuvenating the interiors, which are a complete departure from before. We wanted to
restore that atmosphere of a historic Cape farm to the property, with a sense of refined country style.” Some of the most notable additions to the property are chef Pete Goffe-Wood’s restaurant, Viande, and a new cocktail bar where brandies are the star of the show, reaffirming the hotel’s hometown as the source of some of the world’s best. “Our aim is to make the Grande Roche a big part of community life. The new facilities will open the hotel to beyond our overnight guests. We look forward to welcoming our Paarl friends back to the Grande Roche,” says Johann. Pete reiterates this, “Come on up for a drink, have a few small plates and enjoy the sunset. We want this to be a social hub of the town.”
Sea Point - Asking R11 200 000 Incl Vat
Web Ref: RL2668
SLICK & STYLISH BEACHFRONT APARTMENT Magnificent, warm & spacious 3 bedroom beachfront apartment with views of forever... Open plan living with luxurious finishes and ease of flow gives this apartment the wow factor. Exclusive use front courtyard, automated garage, storeroom and 24 hour manned security complete this perfect lock up and go perfectly positioned along the popular promenade. Price includes VAT, no transfer duty payable. View with Lauren Smith 082 853 8772 / Malka Zinman 083 300 2111
Fresnaye - Asking R16 995 000
Web Ref: RL1412
Sea Point - Asking R5 850 000
Web Ref: RL4175
EASY FAMILY LIVING QUIETLY TUCKED AWAY WITH SPECTACULAR VIEWS
BRAND SPARKLING NEW - QUALITY + SIZE
4 bedroom immaculate, modern family home over 3 levels with spacious open plan living areas and oversized chef’s kitchen, large entertainers patios, gym, study, breath-taking sea and mountain views, plunge pool, garaging for three cars, CCTV, double glazing throughout and an abundance of natural light. Great for the Fresnaye family who enjoys entertaining.
Brand newly renovated cottage oozes character and has been transformed into an open, airy and modern home with top quality finishes & workmanship. 2 bed, 2 bath, secure off street parking, high ceilings & exposed beams, solid timber flooring. The well laid out kitchen opens to an outdoor private summer entertainment spot, perfect for those with kids, pets or creating your own herb garden.
View with Brendan Miller 082 7777 618
View Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169 / Ed Morrison 082 420 8595
Sea Point - Asking R3 950 000
Web Ref: RL4178
Sea Point - Asking R4 650 000
Web Ref: RL4248
Sea Point - Asking R6 495 000
Web Ref: RL4115
PERFECTLY LOCATED DUPLEX WITH PRIVATE GARDEN
A GORGEOUS FRONT FACING APARTMENT WITH STUNNING VIEWS
WONDERFUL WAVECREST – FABULOUS FRONT FACER
Beautifully renovated 2 bed, 2 bath duplex apartment quietly located in leafy setting. Small secure block with residents pool and perfectly located between Beach & Main Road. The apartment has private enclosed garden and lock up garage. Not a cent to be spent.
A once in a lifetime offer. This gorgeous sea facing apartment comes with a huge balcony that runs the entire length of the apartment giving you the luxury of uninterrupted views. This apartment offers a spacious 1-bedroom, open plan lounge/kitchen and a lock-up garage. This sought-after block has recently been refurbished and highly recommended for a great investment property. 24 hour concierge.
If you looking for an apartment with beautiful sea views, security and convenience then look no further. This spacious bright apartment situated at the front of a popular security lock bordering Bantry Bay enjoys beautiful unobstructed views and magical sunsets over the sea, 2 bed, 2 bath & extra large secure undercover parking bay right at the entrance make this a great deal! Located within walking distance of all Sea Point major amenities, beaches and conveniences.
View with Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169 / Ed Morrison 082 420 8595
View with Lauren Smith 082 853 8772 / Malka Zinman 083 300 2111
View with Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169 / Ed Morrison 082 420 8595
Sea Point - Asking R3 300 000
Sea Point - Asking R3 500 000
Sea Point - From R3 060 000 Incl VAT Web Ref: RL4200
Web Ref: RL4315
Web Ref: RL4134
TOP FLOOR DELIGHT - LIGHT & BRIGHT
MODERN AND TRENDY APARTMENT IN POPULAR BLOCK
BRAND NEW DESIGNER LIVING
Light & bright 2 bedroom top floor apartment in well maintained block. Recently renovated with quality finishes throughout, immaculate condition and super quiet and tranquil. Open balcony with sea views, Lions Head views and breath-taking sunsets. Complete with lock up garage as well as a parking space behind.
Light and Sunny 2 bed, 2 bath apartment in sought after security block, Bayviews. Large open balcony and good sea views, floor to ceiling windows. While relaxing, enjoy lovely views from your bedroom too. Secure parking, communal pool & 24 hour concierge.
Generous sized 1 bed direct from the developer, no transfer duties and available for immediate occupation. North-east facing with open balcony and views. Quality finishes throughout, secure parking bay, equipped with fibre optic & A/C, communal pool, BBQ area & sun loungers, 24hr security, pet friendly & short term lets permitted.
View with Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169
View with Lauren Smith 082 853 8772 / Malka Zinman 083 300 2111
View with Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169 / Ed Morrison 082 420 8595
Sea Point - Asking R1 795 000
Sea Point - Asking R1 595 000
ON W O SH
Sea Point - Asking R2 695 000
Web Ref: RL4216
Web Ref: RL4244
Web Ref: RL2945
LIGHT & BRIGHT TOP FLOOR IN GREAT LOCATION
SWEET STUDIO IN SOUGT AFTER BORDEAUX + PARKING
GET YOUR FOOT INTO THE SEA POINT MARKET
Spacious, well proportioned 1 bed apartment perched on the top floor in sought after block & prime position. Abundance of natural light floods through, wooden floors, high ceilings & views to Signal Hill. 1 minute walk to popular centers, offices & restaurants, 2 minute walk to the Sea Point promenade make this a great investment. On Show – Corner Kloof & Kei Apple Rd. View with Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169 / Ed Morrison 082 420 8595
The perfect starter or stop over pad in popular security block located on the beachfront and will all amenities on your doorstep. The balcony has been enclosed to create a study area with mountain views, renovated bathroom, allocated parking bay & excellent security. Start building your portfolio now!
Light & bright, spacious open plan studio apartment with open balcony and view towards Signal Hill, full bathroom, gully kitchen with granite tops, 24hr manned security & a short stroll to the promenade, shops and on the Mi-Citi bus route. Make an offer, why rent when you can buy?
View with Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169
View with Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169
6
PROPERTY NEWS
6 OCTOBER 2019
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
Sea Point Considered by many to be the most ‘real’ of Cape Town suburbs, Sea Point is often likened to the cosmopolitan urban vibe of New York or London WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK *Map not to scale
IMAGES: NATASHA LASSEN, SHUTTERSTOCK & GOOGLE MAPS
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ea Point is a neighbourhood that has always been a melting pot of people from all walks of life and all ages, a place where families have lived for generation after generation. The seedier underbelly of city living parts of Main Road were once notorious for, has long been cleaned up and the tide of gentrification, especially along Regent Road, has brought new shopping precincts, trendy cafes and boutiques. “Sea Point is a wonderful place to live in,” says resident Lynne Jarche Ford. “I love its cosmopolitan villagey feel, we love the mix of nationalities and races. Living by the sea is very special, people are friendly, and now that it’s been made safer we love our ’hood, as we can walk to shops and restaurants and the beachfront.” The promenade is one of Cape Town’s true public spaces where Capetonians from all over meet to run, cycle, stroll, dog-walk, do openair yoga, or tai chi. There are the iconic salt-water swimming pools for morning laps, and behind the promenade, Regent Road and Main
Road burst with cafes and eateries, some achingly hip, others workaday. “I love the access to the promenade where I walk weekly,” says resident Sam Linsell. “It’s a convenient suburb in terms of access to so many shops and restaurants. You can literally buy an array of food types within minutes from your house at all times of the day and night.”
Property No longer the Atlantic Seaboard’s poor relation, Sea Point is on an upward trajectory. Urban densification policies have resulted in new apartment developments arising in place of old single-storey family homes and cottages, although quiet residential streets of Victorian and Edwardian houses still are the norm. Downsides of this popularity and soaring property prices, are the steeply rising municipal rates and rents making it harder for lower income families and retired residents, who’ve lived here all their lives, to stay put.
Schools There’s a good choice of primary schools within Sea Point itself, starting with the public option of well-regarded Sea Point Primary. The French School of Cape Town and Herzlia both have preprimary and primary campuses in the suburb, with their high school campuses not too far away in the City Bowl. Reddam House Atlantic Seaboard in next door Green Point goes the whole way from preschool to matric. The most popular public high school option is Camps Bay High School, a short MyCiTi bus ride away.
Explore Sea Point’s promenade, running for almost 7km along the sea front between Bantry Bay and Granger Bay is the place to be at any time of day. Whether it’s for an early morning run, a dog walk, cycle ride – there’s an Up Cycles hire station by the Pavilion if you don’t have your own – after school hang-out or parents with kids in the play parks, just about every local hits the promenade at some stage in their day. The wide grassy strip is dotted with public art, hosts yoga classes and impromptu soccer games, picnics and kids’ parties. While the rocky shore isn’t ideal for swimming, the salt-water swimming pools at the Pavilion make up for this with an Olympic-sized pool for laps, a diving pool and two kids’ pools.
Sea Point feels as close to living in a European city as you can get in South Africa and less suburban. I love that a mix of cultures live here and it feels a bit more cosmopolitan. I love that I can walk around the suburb and feel relatively safe during the day. SAM LINSELL, RESIDENT
If you want to extend your run, Green Point Urban Park expands the green public space with an indigenous biodiversity garden, kids’ playgrounds, outdoor gyms and running circuits and water features with views of the stadium and Signal Hill. Then you’re in walking distance of the Cape Town Stadium for concerts and big matches, and there’s a whole array of sports clubs in the shadow of the stadium too, from golf to tennis, football, athletics and cricket. Everything about living in Sea Point conspires to get you outdoors and active.
6 OCTOBER 2019
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
7
SHOP • Piazza da Luz: Woolworths Food, Spar • The Point: Checkers, Banks Kitchen Boutique, Dischem • Regent Road: independent fashion and decor boutiques, CAFDA 2nd hand bookstore, nursery • Mojo Market: indoor market with clothes, crafts, groceries, live music and lots of vibey food stalls • Artem Centre: Pick n Pay, Clicks, Sans for plastic-free groceries and homeware, Artem Gallery, and Coco Safar • Main Road: all the high-street shops, banks and grocery stores you need
EAT • La Mouette: elegant tasting menus and lazy lunches • Rafael: authentic Lebanese food • Coco Safar: fine patisserie, all day cafe, evening tapas • The Shop: sustainable bistro fare • Kleinsky’s: the best bagels • Sundoo: vibey Indian eatery • Scheckters Raw: excellent vegan eatery • My Sugar: fabulous artisan chocolates
PLAY • The Promenade: cycling, running, dog walks, open-air gym, play parks and public art • Sea Point Pavilion Swimming Pool: four open-air, salt-water pools • Sundowners and rockpools at Saunders Rock beach • Putt-putt at Mouille Point • Kayaking in the bay with Kaskazi Kayaks • Green Point Urban Park: green space to run, picnic and play
Agent insight Live Real Estate | 021 439 3903
Sea Point offers a unique lifestyle comparable to some of the finest suburbs in the world. Tourists and holiday makers flock in throughout the year to live the “Sea Point life” and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and picture-perfect sunsets. The cosmopolitan coastline has benefitted from much upgrading over the last decade with an increase in both residential and commercial properties, the Main Road bustles daily with pedestrians popping into their favourite eatery, and the Mojo market has become a hotspot for friends to gather and enjoy watching a sports match or live band together.
For a typical property in this area You’ll pay
R45,839 per month
R4,75m
For a typical property (two-bedroom apartment)
R7,95m In a complex
1% 89%
COMPLEX
Median asking price
Median asking price
R18,500 R23,000 In a complex
2% 92%
For a typical property (two-bedroom apartment)
APARTMENT
Monthly bond repayments
For rent
APARTMENT
For sale
COMPLEX
Jolene Alterskye 082 447 6169 | jolene@livrealestate.co.za
Based on
R17,500
For an apartment
R6,747,500 For a house
For an apartment
10%
R25,000 For a house
A short walk to great restaurants, shops and beaches. Book now to enjoy comfort, convenience and great service at the Atlantic Affair Boutique Hotel in Sea Point.
HOUSE
over a period of 20 years at 10% prime
R4,24m HOUSE
R4,75m median asking price
6%
Contact details: Tel: 021 204 5942 Email: stay@theatlanticaffair.co.za Website: www.theatlanticaffair.co.za