Neighbourhood 11 OCTOBER 2020
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Retire here Enjoy peace of mind knowing all your needs are catered for in a retirement village where top medical facilities and luxury lifestyle amenities go hand in hand, pages 6 & 7
2 60+ LIFESTYLE OPTIONS yourneighbourhood.co.za
4 WALLS AND FLOORS THAT SPARK JOY
10 SMART NEW DEVELOPMENT
Connecting homeowners with great communities
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PROPERTY
11 OCTOBER 2020
The perfect lifestyle for 60-plussers When comfort, aesthetics, technology, design and health precautions all come together smartly in a retirement estate, you’re all set WORDS: KIM MAXWELL • IMAGES: SUPPLIED risk groups of retirees interact in communal spaces and facilities, and explored aspects such as physical security, financial peace of mind, hospitality and continuous care. ACCESS CONTROL Evergreen Lifestyle Villages MD Garry Reed says they learned from being forced to shift to virtual interactions. “During the toughest lock-down period, Evergreen had to relook onsite logistical procedures such as residents’ health monitoring and moving nurses to live inside its villages. We had to rethink how we operate daily, with clear definitions of shifts, roles and responsibilities on site. The way we approach design and layout now takes safety into account even more.” Touchless access control was also implemented in villages. “Evergreen is continuously looking to improve the lifestyle and welfare of its residents through a combination of design development, innovation, technology and operations,” says Evergreen Lifestyle’s head of developments Julie Morelle.
Evergreen, Bergvliet
E
ase into the retirement process gradually, by finding a home that provides for your current and future lifestyle needs. The rest will then fall into place. This is the advice future retirees are given. Yet deciding on a place to settle for your retirement years can be stressful, with concerns about hidden costs or feeling isolated from friends and family. Affordability, quality of life and safety concerns are often top of mind. Some downsize to a smaller home or townhouse, then find they have to move again as their mobility or health needs change. Residential estates are a onesize-fits-all option for retirees looking for community living in a secure environment. Some cater for multiple family and retirement phases. According to Devmark Property Group’s national sales manager Bruwer de Jager, the success of their
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Retirement Collection villages lies in offering everything. “Location is of paramount importance. Our developments including The Plettenberg Manor, Helderberg Manor and Langebaan Manor are situated close to beaches, shops and restaurants. Furthermore, amenities usually include a clubhouse, hair and beauty salon, coffee shop, gym, assisted living suites and 24hour care — all in beautifully landscaped gardens,” he says. De Jager adds that garden and house-cleaning services make leading a lock-up-and-go lifestyle achievable. Retirement villages limiting visitor access and insisting on only gate deliveries for groceries during the pandemic, highlighted the importance of top-notch health security too. It’s why Evergreen has undergone a redesign of safe spaces for its seniors. The developer looked at how higher-
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For instance, they made the design of units more compact, yet still offering comfort and quality. All homes have a private outdoor balcony or garden too — on top of communal recreational areas. “At Evergreen we embrace flexibility — designing more, yet smaller — amenities for socialising and coming together. Post-Covid we are fast-tracking the integration of technology: access control and communication with the outside world,” says Morelle. “We have since incorporated ‘hotelification’ as a diversified standard, as well as ondemand services, adapted to our residents’ needs and requirements.” GAUTENG VOLUMES A Lightstone survey investigated trends within the retirement property industry. Its findings were that, for the total volume of retirement properties transacted across South Africa over the past decade (2009 to 2020), the majority of transfers were conducted in 2013 in Gauteng (2,883), with the Western Cape showing a slight peak by 2017. This might help explain why Evergreen’s Broadacres Lifestyle Village in Johannesburg is described as “a firm favourite” by sales director Phil Wilson. The village consists of 144 – sold out – houses. Another 48 one and two-bedroom apartments were recently launched. Lightstone Property’s head of real estate Esteani Marx says the trend of Gauteng enjoying the most collective transfers in volume terms is not surprising. But she notes that when Lightstone “investigates the value bands in the retirement category, the view is rather different over the last decade”. Marx says Gauteng started enjoying higher
Oasis Life Burgundy Estate will be ready mid-2021 value transfers from 2010, and remained the front runner for those years. But from 2015, transactions in higher value bands started to climb in the Western Cape, and continued to do so until late 2019. Lightstone reports that, during 2018, the variance in value between the Western Cape and its closest competitor, Gauteng, was more than R1m. HIGHER CAPE VALUES Rabie Property Group has seen high demand for its upmarket Cape Town retirement estate homes, situated near family homes within Clara Anna Fontein Lifestyle Estate in Durbanville. Launched in 2018, Phase 1 of the
Oasis Life development is nearing completion, with 18 residents having moved in since June. The first phase includes 58 houses, plus a R25m clubhouse scheduled to open in December. Designed as the “heart and soul of the Oasis Life village”, a restaurant, healthcare suites, library and event space “will complete the well-rounded offering of Clara Anna Fontein” and set into motion “its hospitality-based lifestyle” according to Rabie director Miguel Rodrigues. For Devmark’s De Jager, geographic appeal is a no-brainer. “The Western Cape offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the
world and property in the province has become incredibly popular,” he says. HOTEL-STYLE LUXURY Bev Bloch, manager of Pam Golding Properties Specialised Southern Suburbs Retirement sales team, says she has seen “considerable interest” in Quadrant Gardens, a flagship lifestyle retirement development in Cape Town’s Claremont. She describes it as “hotel-style luxury with all the comforts of home”. A few of the 74 apartments are still available, priced from R3m to R6,4m for one to three-bedroom units, including penthouses. Managed by Cape Peninsula Organisation for the Aged (CPOA),
Evergreen is continuously looking to improve the lifestyle and welfare of its residents through a combination of design development, innovation, technology and operations JULIE MORELLE, HEAD OF DEVELOPMENTS, EVERGREEN LIFESTYLE
Quadrant Gardens is a joint venture with private developer Corevest. “In keeping with the latest retirement trends, all apartments are sold on a life right basis, through CPOA, who is responsible for rates, security, maintenance and building insurance,” says Bloch. This year, Lightstone singled out Burgundy Estate near the Durbanville Winelands as one of SA’s top-10 most popular retirement estate choices for 60-plussers. Oasis Life Burgundy Estate is in its first phase of construction, with 24 houses and 33 apartments set for completion in mid-2021. EAST COAST’S GROWING SHARE In Port Elizabeth, health, a community lifestyle and financial benefits are all part of the deal at the Amdec Group’s multigenerational Westbrook Lifestyle Estate. The development provides secure living in affordable designer homes with footpaths, running and cycling tracks. Their first development, The Ridge, is sold out and they have just launched their new village, River Dale. “Our vision of a walkable environment with homes and communal areas has come to fruition,” says managing director of Westbrook residential developments Clifford Oosthuizen. “The Ridge is already home to a happy and thriving community. We anticipate the same success for River Dale”.
Quadrant Gardens' herb garden, Claremont
An Evergreen Lifestyle retirement village is also planned and as there is a Curro school on the premises, offering grandparents a carefree retirement lifestyle while living in close proximity to their children and grandchildren. Westbrook residents’ safety is ensured through electrified perimeter fencing, guarded gatehouses, access control, CCTV and 24-hour foot, bike and vehicular patrols. All homes are also fitted with alarms and security systems.
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INTERIOR DESIGN
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True colours Keep it simple or add drama to your living areas with wallpaper, a fresh coat of paint or wooden floors for warmth WORDS: SARAH MARJORIBANKS
•
IMAGES: DAVID ROSS, GREG COX AND SUPPLIED
weathered timber planks. Both the Colorart and Intarsi tiles are distributed by Italtile, and can be used for walls and floors.
S
pring has sprung, summer is around the corner and lockdown level 1 has most everyone out and about looking for ways to spruce up their home spaces. And, if you do it right, it can be worth more than just adding a breath of fresh air to your living environment. Here are ways to freshen up the look of your walls and floors to make you fall in love with your home all over again and entice would-be buyers to sign on the dotted line. Courage Extensive trend research by AkzoNobel and other experts around the globe revealed Brave Ground as Dulux Colour Future’s Colour of the Year for 2021. After spending most of the year in constant upheaval due to the
Simple and striking Hardwood flooring is a timeless addition to any home. This summer retreat in St Francis Bay (above) took its design inspiration from both Cape farm architecture and a fisherman’s cottage, and looks out onto the Kromme River estuary. The home’s natural palette provides the ideal opportunity for colourful furniture and special objects to make a statement, while the warm wood flooring by Oggie Hardwood Flooring connects the inside to the outside providing a sense of cohesion. Oggie provides a range of wide-plank oak floors and wall cladding, sourced from sustainable forests.
pandemic, it’s little wonder that Brave Ground (code CF21), aims to impart strength and serenity. The colour can be used with its complementary palettes and techniques to bring balance, stability and courage to our surroundings. “This warm, natural colour of the year provides a strong foundation for embracing change,” says Dulux Colour Expert Palesa Ramaisa. “It stands on its own as a beautiful, powerful neutral hue and can be used in a way that allows other colours to shine.” Dulux has put together four colour palettes that each take the shade in a different direction – Expressive, Timeless, Earth and Trust, which features complementary earth tones from across the globe.
Cool contrasts A designer client of Jenny Mills Architecture and Interiors was inspired to go dark with the interior of one of his properties after reading books by Anouska Hempel, a hotelier and interior designer known for her dramatic interiors. To achieve the look, walls were chipped back to expose raw brick, the ceiling painted black and parts with rust paint. In contrast, a wall was painted inspired by a Ndebele colour palette and accompanied by an eccentric take on an exposed electrical box. “Set in a conservative Constantia enclave, it’s an amusing and refreshing break to open the doors to the warm, dark interior,” says Mills, the founder of Jenny Mills Architecture and Interiors.
Tile stories Tiles immediately give a room personality and have the added benefit of being easy to clean and maintain. There are plenty of options available that may be neutral but expand your horizons with textures that beg to be touched. Inspired by the decorative inlays carefully crafted by Italian artisans in the 13th and 14th century, the Intarsi range of ceramic tiles from Ceramica Sant’Agostino combine the contrasting looks of marble and wood. Also from Sant’Agostino, the long, slender porcelain Colorart tiles evoke worn,
No wallflowers here “Wallpaper allows the discerning homeowner to create drama without the use of expensive art or framed prints,” says Cara Saven of Cara Saven Wall Design. “It can be used to dominate a space, or add layers and depth, and it always adds value to a home.” The owner of this Franschhoek home wanted to add a touch of warmth using wallpaper, as well as a dramatic visual for guests when they enter the house; the oversized blue heron now lives in the lounge, with its surrounding landscape extending into the dining and drinks area. “It brought the whole open plan space together in the most sophisticated way,” says Saven.
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O F P H ASE O NE O N L AU NCH W E E K E ND
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How to
Support your parents when they retire
Helping your parents decide on a suitable retirement option may not be an easy task, but it’s important – the right decision brings peace of mind knowing they’re set up to live their best life WORDS & IMAGES: SUPPLIED
Having a rational, caring chat to your parents about their aspirations and practical retirement options is far better than to do it under pressure – these are big decisons that take time to make.
More of us live longer
According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, globally people are living longer, partly due to lower rates of cardiovascular disease deaths in high-income countries. The trend is also apparent in South Africa, where the life expectancy age among the middle class is now 79 for men and 83 for women. There’s also an increase in the number of elderly people. It’s expected that this group will double in size, from almost 8% currently to over 15% by 2050. And by the end of the century, almost a third of the population will be older than 60. As a society, we’re going to have some serious decisions to make regarding retirement, long-term care and healthcare over the next ten years. Many of the elderly have reservations about relocating to a retirement home, but the benefits such as companionship, community, and 24-hour care can far outweigh these worries.
Making the right choice
Deciding on the right retirement estate is a big decision and needs to be a sustainable one. It’s not only about physical or financial considerations – there are also
many psychological pressures and aspects to retirement to take into acocunt. In addition to facing these decisions, it’s likely that our parents will have to deal with at least one of the five biggest fears around ageing. Sales director at Evergreen Lifestyle Retirement Phil Wilson shares a few insights that could help guide their retirement decision-making.
1. Vulnerability to crime
Physical security is the biggest priority for residents of retirement villages, so most villages have perimeter walls, electric fencing and CCTV cameras to ensure strict access control, along with control rooms that are staffed 24 hours a day. Some offer regular external safety and security audits conducted by independent contractors to determine when upgrades may be required.
2. Outliving retirement funds It’s important for retirees to ensure their savings are able to support them throughout their retirement years. Should they face a financial emergency, it may be possible for the management of a retirement village to release a portion of the capital that was originally used to acquire the life right to fund levies and care costs. The capital amount repayable to
the retiree or their family is later adjusted accordingly.
3. Loss of dignity
Growing old comes with fears that one will not be treated with the same care and respect as when you were younger. This fear is often a motivator for retiring in the family home and having family look after the retirees. Most villages offer high-quality healthcare and a wide range of related services including regular clinics,
home-based care, 24-hour nursing and recuperative care, occupational therapy, frail care and palliative care. Registered, experienced nurses and therapists are available at many care centres.
4. Isolation and loneliness
Having experienced the restrictions due to the Covid-19 lockdown, now more than ever, the elderly realise the importance of community. Lifestyle centres are the drawcard that creates a sense of village life – an area where residents are able to spend time socialising, dining or joining social clubs and special interest groups.
5. Unable to maintain a home
Retirees no longer want the responsibility of maintaining a property and they’re concerned about who will help with the everyday activities of cooking and shopping. At retirement villages there’s a professional approach to managing all these aspects for retirees so that hospitality and support are a given.
Sooner rather than later
It's really the children's role to make their parents comfortable about talking about their future and quality of life – and it’s best done in the comfort of their own home than in an emergency.
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10
NEWS
11 OCTOBER 2020
East London and PE see sales uptick
This smallholding is priced at R11.995m in Sardinia Bay, Port Elizabeth Pam Golding Properties in the Eastern Cape hubs of Port Elizabeth and East London reports escalating residential property sales across all price ranges, since June this year.
property as they perceive a better return on their investment in this asset class. Top-end sales are seen in the Nahoon Mouth, Glen Gariff and Beacon Bay areas where a home recently sold for R6,35m.
Stands are also selling in both cities, suggesting a demand for new homes.
Properties up to the R2m mark are also in high demand with popular areas such as Vincent and Beacon Bay fetching prices between R1,6m to R2,2m.
While the housing market here underperformed relative to the national market during much of the past decade, it has enjoyed stronger growth since late 2017, says Pam Golding Properties senior research analyst Sandra Gordon. According to Pam Golding Properties area principal in East London Sean Coetzee, people are spending more time at home since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, which sees them selling or upscaling to larger properties or moving to more expensive areas closer to schools, beaches and other amenities. He says investors are also buying
People buying in East London are mostly from the Eastern Cape areas such as King William’s Town and Mthatha, motivated by work transfers or seeking better schooling, says Coetzee. “Many first-time buyers who were renting are now buying because the low interest rate makes it more affordable.” Secure, lock-up-and-go properties remain in demand with sectional title sales increasing at prices ranging between R1,1m and R1,3m for a two-bedroom townhouse in a cluster development.
Justin Kreusch, an area principal for Pam Golding Properties in PE says family homes are in demand here with mostly locals either trading up or scaling down, and a small percentage of professionals relocating from other major centres. “We’ve seen unprecedented activity in areas such as Richmond Hill, Walmer, Summerstrand, Lorraine, Glendinningvale and Mount Croix,” he says. “Sales at the top end of the market include a 520m2, four-bedroom home in Little Walmer Golf Estate for just under R7m.”
Competing buyers push up asking prices Buyers competing for soughtafter homes priced below R2,5m are in some instances pushing up asking prices, according to fixedfee agency Eazi Real Estate.
“Our offer and administration processes have always been online, and going forward, more and more buyers and sellers are benefitting from this capability.”
“Not only are asking prices in this price band readily being achieved, they’re also sometimes exceeded, with these high-demand properties selling in one or two days,” says Eazi Real Estate's CEO Richard Day. “This happens when buyers submit competitive offers, resulting in properties being sold for above the asking price.”
With interest rates at record lows and no transfer duty payable on properties up to R1m, many of Eazi’s purchasers are first-time buyers and young couples or families, including those upsizing or downsizing.
According to Day, Eazi has seen sales increase by 166%, 366% and 200% respectively for June, July and August this year. He says although they sell most homes in less than 30 days, some properties are now being snapped up in just a few days. “Given our business model and technological capabilities, we were well-positioned and ready for lockdown. Our online systems were already in place, so we could adjust quickly and easily to the new regulations,” he says.
This trend is underlined by mortgage originator ooba, whose first-time buyers comprised 53.4% of total mortgages in August. Says Day, “The interest rate drop has had a marked impact on the number of buyers who have decided to buy rather than rent. "In addition, we’ve concluded a few linked sales where owners are upscaling and therefore not only selling their property but also buying bigger properties. And in the sectional title market, we are defintely seeing an increased appetite for homes with gardens.”
Port Elizabeth hasn’t experienced the expected countrywide buyers’ market post-Covid-19, instead, he says, well-priced properties aren’t staying on the market for more than a few weeks. “A property we thought would fetch about R2,1m eight weeks ago, was priced at R2,4m and sold at full asking price, a month later,” he says.
This Fish Hoek home sold for R2.75m
Cape Town’s East City on the rise Just nine months after launching to market, 63% of The Harri, a new 48-unit apartment block and mixed-use property development going up at 75 Harrington Street in Cape Town’s East City Precinct, has sold off plan. Only 16 of 42 studio apartments remain unsold, while just two of the six loft apartments are still on the market. Construction has already begun, with the completion date set for April next year. The Harri’s units are priced between R1,3m and R2m for a studio apartment and R2,5m for a two-storey loft apartment. The development, in the heart of Cape Town’s design district, offers a blend of apartment living with open-plan, tastefully furnished, co-living and co-working spaces, and includes fireplace lounges, a TV room with a large smart TV and access to Netflix, three dedicated Zoom (video chat)
rooms, a rooftop terrace with a gas braai and mini-bar area, and hotel-grade amenities like Wi-Fi, a concierge, a housekeeping service, and 24-hour security. “We sold right through lockdown,” says Jeff Kleu, co-developer with Steven Lampert, both of propertydevelopment company Sepia and Silk. “We sold to investors wanting to buy to rent, parents buying an apartment for their student kids or a holiday flat, and to locals as well as Zimbabwean, German and American nationals.” Harrington Street has been at the heart of the recent revival of the East City, which was previously a gritty industrial-commercial area. Major developments here include the upgrading of the Cape Town City Hall at a cost of R27m, The Old Granary at R31m, the purchase of the Nicro head office on Harrington Street by a European company, Groupe SOS, for R30m,
and the opening last year of a R75m five-star boutique hotel on Church Square. Sandra Gordon, research economist for Cape Town’s Central City Improvement District,
says, “Numerous applications submitted to the City suggest that a variety of new retail and food outlets are set to open their doors here, which will really cement the East City’s reputation as a trendy precinct that sees people flock to
the area at the weekend.” The Harri is close to the Gardens Shopping Centre, Virgin Active Wembley Square, and MyCiti bus stops. It's also an easy drive to major beaches from the CBD.
11 OCTOBER 2020
ADVERTORIAL
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