Neighbourhood 11 APRIL 2021
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Where living is easy Century City is a privately managed precinct where people love to live, work and play, page 4
2 SECTIONAL TITLE VS FREESTANDING PROPERTIES yourneighbourhood.co.za
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PROPERTY
11 APRIL 2021
House or
sectional title?
Lion Pride Lifestyle Estate
The remote working trend is driving sales of freestanding properties while sectional title homes have lock‑up‑and-go appeal WORDS: DEBBIE HATHWAY PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
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igger, mainly freestanding properties are gaining popularity, according to the FNB Property Barometer for February 2021, a trend spurred by buyers responding to the demands of remote working. Estate living is popular in South Africa, the location for many of the world’s best lifestyle estates that offer a wide variety of accommodation options. Wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth estimates that over 45% of the country’s highnet-worth individuals either live or have homes on estates. An additional 30% have homes in luxury apartment blocks – the fastest growing residential segment in SA over the past 20 years in terms of price. Because Steyn City’s parkland residence in Johannesburg’s new north offers a range of housing options – including stands to
build a dream freehold home, luxury apartments and clusters – it appeals to an array of residents. Its sectional title products (apartments and clusters) are ideal for people yearning for space and freedom within the estate’s signature 2,000-acre parkland, without the hassle of maintenance. For them, the lock‑up-and-go lifestyle is perfect.
like to place their individual stamp on their home. Because there are no rules for aesthetic design, buyers can ensure that their home is a true reflection of their style, making it entirely unique. They can also choose from a variety of stands, including the size, position and view that suits them best.
but with sectional title ownership. Its Lion Pride Lifestyle Estate, however, consists of freestanding houses with full title ownership.
Sectional vs full title
Steyn City’s extensive security measures ensure peace of mind, while the body corporate takes care of external maintenance and repairs, and maintenance of communal areas and gardens. And, of course, there’s access to all of Steyn City’s amenities, which means enjoying the ultimate lifestyle without leaving the development. This is convenience at its best.
Cosmopolitan Projects and Central Developments Property Group offers both sectional and full title ownership developments. “Freestanding properties can come with sectional or full title ownership. For example, our retirement estates, like Waterkloof Marina in Pretoria, have apartments and freestanding houses but all are sectional title ownership,” says Alda Erasmus, the group’s head of communication.
“In other words, you own your house or apartment – and, more specifically, its interior – as well as a share of the common property, but you do not own the land it’s built on. The exterior of your property forms part of the common property. Even though you don’t own the garden, you do have exclusive, private use of it and are permitted to do landscaping as allowed by the rules of the development,” she says.
Steyn City’s freehold offering appeals to families who wish for a little more space, and who would
They recently launched Madison Manor in the Waterfall Node, which also offers freestanding houses
“With full title ownership, you own the house (inside and out) and the land it is built on. This gives
Steyn City, north of Johannesburg
PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING
Erasmus explains that with sectional title properties you own your section and an undivided share of the common property.
Serengeti Estates
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PROPERTY
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Melrose View, Johannesburg you more freedom to make changes to your garden and house as you wish.” Even though sectional title does not afford buyers the same freedom, it has its advantages. In a sectional title scheme, the body corporate is responsible for the maintenance of the common property, so the levies might be a bit higher than those of a full title scheme where owners are solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their garden and house.
City living
If Johannesburg appeals, there are only three 135m2 units at Craft Homes’s luxury Melrose View development for sale and ready for occupation. The development is minutes away from Sandton and Rosebank, striking the perfect balance between urban convenience and suburban living. Comprising three bedrooms and 3,5 bathrooms, each apartment has a large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area with stackable doors that open up onto a covered terrace.
The Hudson, Centurion
Each has a spacious double garage and exclusive‑use storeroom. Elegant, top‑of‑the‑range fittings and finishes feature throughout. Melrose View residents enjoy premium 24‑hour security, a clubhouse with a pool and communal garden, pre‑installed DStv and fibre connections, and a back‑up complex generator. Meanwhile, The Terrace at Sandton Gate is a mixed‑use precinct suitable for investors, single professionals and people scaling down. From the safety and security of their apartments, residents can walk to nearby amenities such as an on‑site Planet Fitness gym, restaurants, beauty salons, a bustling piazza and premium‑grade offices. The Sandton CBD is also within walking distance. “It’s a no-brainer. You can live, work and shop at Sandton Gate. You don’t even need to leave. Everything is available,” says Craft Homes’s marketing manager Jessica Cabanita. “Each unit has secure basement parking.”
Homeowners have beautiful views of the Sandton skyline and the Braamfontein Spruit green belt – a natural reprieve residents can enjoy with weekend and early morning dog walkers, joggers and mountain bikers. Sandton Gate is developed by Abland, Tiber and Craft Homes. Construction on The Terrace starts in June this year and occupation is estimated for October next year.
The Mother City
In a unique area that seldom sees new developments, The Aster in Oranjezicht, Cape Town offers an investment opportunity in the heart of the city bowl, down the road from the famous cafés and restaurants of Kloof Street. “There are only 21 homes in this boutique apartment block, with occupation expected towards the end of July,” says David Sedgwick, MD, Horizon Capital Residential. “All apartments come with secure parking and are suitable for both long- and short-term letting, providing investors the opportunity to claim their VAT back.”
Communal facilities include a roof deck with a braai area and a generous size pool boasting Table Mountain, city and sea views. A generator has been included to overcome inconvenient load shedding. There are currently two one‑bedroom apartments on offer, fully furnished and with views of the city or Lion’s Head. Meanwhile, commenting on the market in Cape Town’s northern suburbs, Devmark residential director Jean Ehlers notes that owners are struggling to sell their primary homes in the R3m to R4,5m bracket, especially in the traditional neighbourhoods, due to uncontrollable crime and poor municipal deliverables. “They would rather buy smaller, newly constructed units that offer safety and convenience. What’s more, they see the potential for asset appreciation in well-located sectional title schemes, especially if they buy in the first phase of the development period under the R2m mark,” says Ehlers. “The resale market in this price bracket will remain liquid in high‑demand neighbourhoods
An Eye of Africa luxury apartment
due to affordability and low interest rates.” Glenhaven, Devmark’s new apartment block in Bellville in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs, comprises 64 sectional title apartments. “Our product caters to those who want safe, affordable homes in a location that enables them to work and play close to their families,” he says. If you’re undecided on where to buy, and you’re a pet owner, this could be the deciding factor. Freestanding homes on estates are ideal for growing families, have fewer rules in general, and offer more space and bigger gardens. Owners can often keep cats without asking for permission. Sectional title developments are conducive to building a mini community, where residents are on par socially. The price point of a lock-up-and-go is often lower than a freestanding home, the developer handles the design, and levies are payable, but maintenance is taken care of. The drawback is you might not be able to keep the amount of animals you would like, if any.
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SUBURB FOCUS
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Smart city
precinct
Demand for space at Century City confirms the quality offering of this Cape Town suburb WORDS: DEBBIE HATHWAY IMAGES: SUPPLIED
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s a smart city, the urban masterplan of Century City’s overall design and amenities enable people who live, work and play here to have more time to do what makes them happy. In addition, it is strategically located at the heart of the greater Cape Town with direct access to the national highways and within 20 minutes’ drive of key attractions. “What sets Century City apart from most other areas is that the entire suburb is a privately managed precinct, which has a tremendous positive effect on lifestyle,” says Devon Usher, director,
Property World. “The benefits can be felt across a wide spectrum – from high-speed open access fibre, landscaping, canal and environmental management, to cleanliness, security and incident response, art, transport and convenience, to name a few. It’s a very ‘first‑world’ environment that achieves a standard of living on par with its global counterparts, an unparalleled recipe for a number one destination to live and work in.”
sectional title price doubled from 2012 to 2017. “Buyers here still see great value and bang for their buck versus some of the longer-standing suburbs that are now struggling to provide the equivalent quality of life, yet are often priced at a premium. We’ve seen record sales volumes in recent months, both in existing properties and new developments, which have consistently sold out prior to completion of construction,” says Usher.
Usher says property growth here has been nothing short of phenomenal – the median
The ongoing rise in popularity and demand for the precinct is encouraging and affirms the
world‑class experience on offer, whether it be for a resident, parent, learner, colleague, nature lover, sports enthusiast, shopper, or simply a passer-by.
Conservation
“Within the 250ha suburb of Century City, our community has access to private healthcare, a network of services, well‑maintained urban areas, and various green open spaces, which include walking and cycling paths,” says Chris Blackshaw, CEO, Century City Property Owners’ Association. “Our canals offer the opportunity for exploring the
11 APRIL 2021
precinct by water, whether it’s on an Intaka Island boat tour, by canoe, or SUP.” The protection and education of Intaka Island, a 16ha protected wetland at the centre of Century City, is an integral part of the overall integration of people, development, and the sensitivities of true conservation. It’s home to 231 species of indigenous plants, 120 bird species, and a few small ground animals. Intaka Island has an internationally recognized heronry, is the starting point of Bird Life’s Flamingo Birding Route, and is a Cape Nature voluntary conservation site.
Education
Over the past nine years, the Intaka Island Trust has developed and implemented a comprehensive environmental education (EE) programme, which is linked to various school grades’ curriculums. The education programmes are well received and around 190 school groups comprising approximately 8,500 learners visit the facility annually. The Trust further finances the ongoing operational costs of running the eco-centre and the EE programme including the remuneration of the environmental education staff and field rangers, as well as their skills development and training.
A guided full moon hike has become a popular monthly activity, and is usually fully booked well in advance.
Culture
The Century City Art Trail features a number of painted, architectural, sculptural and mosaic pieces across the precinct, with Callum Pickard’s Aonyx (“Pair of Otters”) being the latest addition to the Century City Art Trail’s permanent collection. An assortment of 30 sculptures makes up the Anton Smit Open Air Exhibition, a special two-year installation opened last month, showcasing this internationally renowned artist’s work from one end of the precinct to the other.
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destination, Century City has several other retail outlets, which include a stand-alone convenience centre – Century Village – with a Super Spar as anchor. Century City is home to more than 700 businesses, including some of South Africa’s blue-chip corporates, as well as leisure space for top hotels, schools and residential developments that cater to a variety of accommodation requirements, including an upmarket and vibrant retirement community.
The Century City Arts Foundation, which has public benefit organisation status, was formed with the aim of making Century City a destination for art. It aims to preserve, foster and support the arts in Century City by providing a platform for established and aspirant artists across all art genres.
Live, work and play
Canal Walk shopping centre has long been the go-to mall for retail therapy, with more than 400 stores across 141,000m². There are movie theatres and a large variety of restaurants in the mall. In addition to this super-regional shopping
CENTURY CITY IN NUMBERS 454,250m2 commercial space 212,000m2 retail space 700+ businesses 21 million visitors a year 4,000 front doors 12,000 residents Visit centurycity.co.za for more
Welcome to Vredehoek, Your Peace in the City VREDEHOEK, CAPE TOWN
VREDEHOEK, CAPE TOWN
VREDEHOEK, CAPE TOWN
YOUR PEACE IN THE CITY YOUR PEACE IN THE CITY
From million (incl. VAT) FromR1.595 R2.495 million (incl. VAT) no transfer From R2.495 duty million (incl. VAT) no transfer duty no transfer duty • Back-up power supply
• Back-up power supply
• Sea, mountain and city views • Sea, mountain and city views • Full power back-up generator • Inspiring contemporary design • Custom designed joinery workspace • Inspiring contemporary design by award winning architects by award winning architects
in each apartment • Secure parking and excellent security • Free high-speed fibre for one year • 10 exclusive apartments • Sea, mountain and city views • 1 penthouse with private jacuzzi • Secure parking and excellent security • 1 penthouse suite with private jacuzzi • Limited collection of 15 apartments
www.TheVera.CapeTown www.TheVera.CapeTown
• Secure parking and excellent security • 10 exclusive apartments
• 1 penthouse with private jacuzzi
• 1 penthouse suite with private jacuzzi
www.TheVera.CapeTown
Hello Table Mountain ORANJEZICHT, ORANJEZICHT, CAPECAPE TOWNTOWN
HELLO HELLO From R2.495 million (incl. VAT) TABLE MOUNTAIN TABLE MOU no transfer duty
From R2.495 million VAT) no transfer From R2.495 duty million • Full (incl. power back-up generator • • • • • • •
• Storage pod included with each
Back-up power supply • Back-up power supply apartment Storage pod included with each apartment • Storage pod included • Panoramic Table Mountain views Panoramic Table Mountain views • Panoramic Table Moun • 5 minutes drive to Camps Bay drive to Cam 5 minutes drive to Camps Bay • 5 minutes Short-term letting and pet friendly Short-term letting• and pet friendly • Short-term letting and • 15 apartments 15 apartments • 15 apartments 3 exclusive penthouse apartments • 3 exclusive penthouse • 3 exclusive penthouse apartments
www.TheCedar.CapeTown www.TheCedar.Cape www.TheCedar.CapeTown
RESIDEN TIAL
David - 072 385 4386 Catherine - 074 384 3127 RESID ENTIAL Maxine - 078 452 5559 Office - 021 425 8586
David - 072 385 4386 Catherine - 074CONSCIOUS 384 3127 L IV ING Maxine - 078 452 5559 Office - 021 425 8586
Smart Urban Precinct Management
Smart Environmental Sustainability
Smart Community
Smart Connectivity & Communication
Smart Safety & Security
Being a Smart City is not something we aspire to be. Being Smart is just something we do. We are a living Smart City with a proven track record of innovation spanning two decades. At Century City, we continuously shift and renew what we do and how we do it to improve our city as efficiently and intelligently as possible. Make the Smart Choice. Come on over! FIND OUT MORE
www.centurycity.co.za/smart-city
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