Neighbourhood 14 JANUARY 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Go for gold Become part of the community of savvy people investing in the Golden Mile, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: THE GOLDEN MILE
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BUSINESS Q&A
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PROPERTY NEWS
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PROPERTY NEWS
14 JANUARY 2018
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
The Golden Mile Here’s what’s happening in property in the area WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGES: SHANE VAN ECK, ISTOCK & GOOGLE MAPS
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he beachfront, known as the Golden Mile, has seen many changes over the years and is today one of the go-to places in Durban. Because of the strong focus on fighting crime and grime, the area has become an internationally renowned tourist hot spot.
Ex *Map not to scale
Property The Golden Mile’s North Beach side has always been prime beachfront property, with its superb positioning, warm waters and great weather. Those who snapped up sea-facing apartments a decade ago are happy with the appreciation of their properties. There are many well-run and maintained apartment blocks which have increased in value. Properties on the South Beach side have also increased in value. Although not as historically prestigious as the north, there are some stunning blocks in the area, interspersed with major and minor hotels, new and old. Some of the Art Deco buildings are niche tourist attractions and form part of Durban’s
reputation as one of the world’s top destinations for Art Deco architecture. There’s limited on-site parking and while there’s ample on-street parking out of season, it can be difficult to find at peak times. Some of the blocks don’t allow holiday letting, which creates a sizable permanent residential component. Carl Van der Spuy lives in a North Beach retirement block. “I decided I wanted to wake up to that glorious view every day, and that’s what happens! It feeds my soul,” he says. The Mile stretches for several kilometres and since all the watersports clubs recently reached consensus on their new temporary home, the uShaka mixed-use development will hopefully regain traction and the promise of a
This was my downscaling when I retired. I sold my house and moved into this apartment with breathtaking views and a 30-second walk to the beach. The vista changes constantly, I enjoy coffee with a view every morning and I’m never lonely or bored. Best move I made! JAMES SLOAN, RESIDENT
PUBLISHED BY BLACKSTAR PROPERTY PUBLISHING Unit G04, Old Castle Brewery Bldg 6 Beach Road, Woodstock Cape Town, 087 828 0423
EDITORIAL TEAM: Group Editor: Charis Le Riche charisl@yourneighbourhood.co.za Senior Sub-Editor: Mlungisi Mthembu
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14 JANUARY 2018
Neighbourhood
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PROPERTY NEWS
bigger, better, brighter promenade could come to fruition – the knockon effect of a rejuvenation of the surrounding areas is well overdue.
Schooling
Beachfront residents have traditionally sent their children to Addington Primary School, one of Durban’s oldest schools established in 1896. Behind the beachfront, on Sylvester Ntuli Road, is George Campbell School of Technology, now a dual-medium and co-educational establishment. Priscilla Singh, who has lived in South Beach for 10 years, says, “All three of my children have been schooled at Addington Primary and it’s given them a good foundation for the future.”
Explore
Whether it’s to take part in the parkrun from the Suncoast Casino promenade on Saturday mornings, to have coffee and croissants at Circus Circus at Snake Park or to enjoy a leisurely
cycle from Blue Lagoon/Umgeni River to uShaka Marine World, the car parks fill up from around 6.30am. Durbanites of different ages are out there getting fit; there’s yoga on the lawns, volleyball on the beach and even a new outdoor gym free for all to use. Durban’s renowned as a surfing hot spot and even if you don’t bodyboard, surf or paddle ski, you’ll enjoy the sight of others doing so. If you’re keen to try out a board, surfing lessons are available for all. The beaches along the Golden Mile have different identifying names, often related to the various piers, surf breaks or clubs dotted along the warm Indian Ocean. North Beach, Dairy Beach, Wedge, Addington, Bay of Plenty, Snake Park, Pirates and Country Club are all popular beaches, with most of the Mile’s beaches protected year-round by lifeguards and shark nets. Fishermen cast off from designated piers and they, along with accomplished sand artists and traditional church ceremonies, create great photo opportunities at sunrise. The long-awaited approvals for movie mogul Anant Singh’s Videovision Entertainment working film studio development on the old Natal Command site have been signed off, and there’s anticipation of a major tourist attraction of international standard being added to the Mile.
SEE: • Mini Town • uShaka Marine World’s five sections: Sea World, Wet 'n Wild, uShaka Beach, uShaka Village Walk and uShaka Kids World • Amphimarket Flea Market • Traditional Zulu arts and crafts • Surfing and skateboard competitions
EAT: • Circus Circus: for coffee and croissants • Surf Riders cafe: for a laid-back atmosphere and tasty cocktails • Cafe Jiran: for coffee and cafe-style meals • Moyo: for a unique African dining experience • Afro’s Chicken Shop: a proudly local chicken takeaway
STAY: • Protea Hotel by Marriott Durban Edward • Blue Waters Hotel • Tsogo Sun Suncoast Towers and SunSquare Suncoast hotels • Belaire Suites Hotel • Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani
For sale in Durban Beachfront
For rent in Durban Beachfront
Median asking price:
Median asking price:
R1,44m
R6,000
Monthly bond repayments
For a typical property (two-bedroom apartment)
R1,3m
R1,3m
In a complex
For an apartment
For a typical property in this area You’ll pay
R14,136
For a typical property (one-bedroom apartment)
R9,500
R7,500
In a complex
For an apartment
per month
Property Type:
2%
complex
Property Type: Based on
4%
complex
R1,44m median asking price
98%
apartment
over a period of 20 years at 10,25% prime
96%
apartment
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PROPERTY NEWS
14 JANUARY 2018
Neighbourhood
My business neighbourhood Queen’s Cakes and Stuff in Pietermaritzburg specialises in novelty and wedding cakes WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY IMAGES: SUPPLIED & ISTOCK
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custom-designed cake allows you to flaunt your unique style at any event with a creation that’s anything but traditional. Vanessa Changoo, owner, Queen’s Cakes and Stuff, creates cakes and sweet treats that look great and taste even better. She gives us her recipe for success. Q: How did your business start? A: I baked my first cake at the age of eight and I’ve loved it ever since. When my husband and I were retrenched, my friend asked me to bake a cake for her that she would pay for. It was then that I got the idea to turn my talent into a business. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: I wanted to save costs as far as possible, having experienced the
hardship of a double retrenchment, and chose to operate from home. Q: How did you find your premises? A: I’ve been fortunate enough to work from my home in Pietermaritzburg. Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business? A: Working from home keeps costs to a minimum and helps to provide a reasonable and affordable service to the community, which is far cheaper than bakery prices. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: Families that I’ve known for years. Q: What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area? A: T he rental prices are exceptionally high in this area.
Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: Definitely. My 25-year-old daughter is an integral part of the business and our desire is to evolve from the “home industry” to a family-oriented bakery. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: Yes, we advertise and market our products on Facebook (facebook. com/Queenscakesandstuff). Q: What’s your most popular item? A: W ithout a doubt, it’s our delicious chocolate cake. No matter what the quantity, this cake is mixed by hand using the loyal wooden spoon.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Q: How many people visit your business each day? A: From humble beginnings of an average of five cakes a month, we now bake daily.
Queen’s Cakes and Stuff 078 801 6390 facebook.com/Queenscakesandstuff
Building responsibly Fully certified, locally produced eco-friendly building materials are gaining popularity WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGE: ISTOCK
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he built environment is responsible for as much as 40% of all man-made carbon emissions, with rubble and soil waste from construction and demolition being a large component of landfill sites. Building an eco-friendly house is well within reach, not just in terms of the smart architectural design principles, but also the materials used. More tried-and-tested, goodlooking building materials with full accreditation from the various quality control bodies are coming onto the market. They’re either comparable in price to standard products, competitively priced or more affordable in the long term. It’s a myth that going green is more expensive. Chris Whyte, MD, Use-It (a non-profit organisation with registered Public Benefit Organisation status and the aim of diverting waste and creating jobs), says that sustainable and/or recycled building materials can not only be cheaper than conventional building materials, but can also outperform
them on many aspects. “Do yourself a favour and get a great product that you can tell your friends all about while your conscience rests easy in the fact that you’re doing your bit to save the planet,” he says. “Alternative building materials have had a tough time getting into mainstream application in the market, but a recent drive by the Ministry of Environmental Affairs aims to promote their integration through the development of an Institute of Alternative Building Materials.” One of Use-It’s products is RamBricks, which are compressedearth blocks made by converting waste soils and rubble from landfills into building products for a range of housing types. This is Africa’s first five-star Eco-Standard-rated brick manufactured from local resources and inert waste, has Agrément certification for the manufacturing process and has approval within the guidelines of the National Home Builders Registration Council. Chris says it has a carbon footprint one-third less than that of conventional materials, needs no water for its manufacture, requires only 5% of cement usually used and reduces construction time by 10%, among other benefits.
Other products include Plastitrade’s roof tiles, a blend of post-consumer waste plastic and sand, where heat and pressure are applied. The company also produces manhole covers, paving slabs, cobblestones, railway sleepers and retaining blocks. Around 160,000 tons of rubber tyres are discarded every year. Most end up in landfill sites or are burnt. EnviroBuild manufactures rubber paving which can be laid on top of other surfaces. The paving is elastic, doesn’t crack, is easy to clean and affordable. Carpeting and flooring giant Van Dyck manufactures all EnviroBuild products, which are 100% recyclable. EnviroTimbers and Ecowood source and process plastic waste and transform it into 100% recycled plastic products such as timber plastic furniture. Green Plastic Designs manufactures recycled plastic timber products, including outdoor furniture, decking, children’s playgrounds, dustbins and fencing. Ecology Plastics produces outdoor furniture and other products. Lavaplastic produces eco-friendly fencing. That’s just a handful of suppliers. There are numerous others producing authentic, ecofriendly building products.
OUR PRIME
PROPERTIES OF THE WEEK
Award winning Brettenwood Coastal Estate, located just 10 minutes from King Shaka Airport, is situated along one of the most exquisite stretches of coastline in KwaZulu-Natal. It offers its residents security, luxury, tranquility, exclusivity and an extensive range of world class amenities to suit both the young and young at heart.
6 time winner of the African Property Awards
NEWLY RELEASED LAND FROM R1 350 000 - DIRECT FROM THE DEVELOPER
A HOME FIT FOR ROYALTY • • • •
4 Bedrooms (all en-suite) Open plan living Professional landscaping Luxury fittings and finishes
• • • •
Rim flow pool Dual entertainment patios Inverter technology Triple garage
BEAUTIFUL FAMILY HOME PRICE REDUCED FROM R11 500 000
OFFERED AT R9 900 000
• • • •
3 Bedrooms (main en-suite) 2 Bathrooms Full study Open plan kitchen
NEW SPACIOUS AND CONTEMPORARY HOME • 3 Bedrooms (all en-suite) • Kitchen with pantry • Separate scullery
• 2 Lounges • Swimming pool • Large garden
Land Freehold homes Luxurious apartments Retirement homes
Lounge and dining room Rim flow swimming pool Staff accommodation Indigenous garden
NEW LISTING
OFFERED AT R6 390 000
ONLY TWO RETIREMENT HOMES LEFT - DON’T MISS OUT
NO TRANSFER DUTY
OFFERED AT R5 800 000
Buy directly from the developer. Land from R1 350 000
• • • •
• • • •
2 or 3 Bedrooms Luxury finishes Sea or forest views Access to 2 clubhouses
Brettenwood Coastal Estate Sheffield Beach KZN North Coast
Shavaun Lindsay Greg Simmonds Michelle Larkens
• Extensive activities and social events • Walking trails & birding • Access to heated pool
072 194 8672 084 515 7464 082 775 3998
BUY DIRECT FROM THE DEVELOPER
OFFERED AT R3 575 000
T 032 525 4581 E info@brettenwood.co.za W www.brettenwood.co.za
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PROPERTY NEWS
14 JANUARY 2018
Luxury living with a view
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luxury private residential development was launched in December on Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, with apartments priced from R11,495m to R25m, excluding VAT. There is no transfer duty.
leading up to a luxurious lounge and entertainment area. Two top-floor penthouses and 17 twoand three-bedroom apartments are on sale – all offering state-ofthe-art security and top-of-theline furnishings and fittings.
The Berman Brothers Group’s flagship The Estate on St Johns is on Signal Hill and has commanding views of the sea and city. The Estate’s two blocks are linked by a reception space complete with a dramatic staircase
There are secure covered parking and storage units for each apartment and high-speed internet is available throughout the property. A concierge team will be on hand 24 hours a day.
Neighbourhood
Zimbali Lakes Resort
The trend towards secure lock-up and go lifestyle estates is a desirable upward trend that has been with us for the last 20 years, and purchasers looking for security inside lifestyle estates and large sectional title complexes continue to increase DAVID INGLE, MD, SEEFF EDENVALE/BEDFORDVIEW
Opposite spectrums drive KZN property demand
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ll indications are that the undeveloped land surrounding major centres in KwaZulu-Natal holds enormous value that could reshape the face of one of South Africa’s most popular coastlines. Xoli Shabalala, head: market solutions, Tongaat Hulett Developments, says extensive research on these opportunities highlights a number of key drivers. “On the back of consistent and ongoing demand across residential markets, it should come as no surprise that the retirement and education sectors are at the forefront of this demand,” says Shabalala. “What’s interesting about these findings is that they straddle the
two outer extremes of society – the youngest and oldest generations.” The retirement market is a natural fit for all that KwaZulu-Natal offers in terms of quality lifestyle and an enviable climate. And this demand is not likely to slow down in the near future, with the World Health Organisation projecting South Africa’s population of over-60s will increase from 7,7% of the total to 15,4% over the next 35 years. At the other end of the spectrum, the demand for educational facilities is growing at an equally brisk pace. The private school sector is expanding at breakneck speed, particularly as affordable options become more commonplace.
FWJK to develop R1,9bn mixed-use Menlyn Link
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ational property developer FWJK has secured land in Menlyn to develop a new R1,9bn sectional title mixed-use building. Spanning 85,000m² and consisting of ground- and first-floor retail, the development will include a 450-pupil crèche, multitenant sectional title office suites, residential apartments and luxury penthouse suites. Dubbed Menlyn Link, the development will be situated between Menlyn Park Shopping Centre and the Menlyn Maine Central Square Precinct. At 26 storeys, it will be the tallest building in the greater Menlyn area. Rhys Rocke, regional director, FWJK, says, “Menlyn Link offers
a range of one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, as well as five-bedroom penthouses. The apartments are designed to be highly desirable, with gas stoves, green technology, spacious living areas and entertainment balconies. “With the convenient ground-floor shops and restaurants providing a vibrant retail experience together with the rooftop clubhouse, tennis court and swimming pool, residents will have various desirable amenities at hand, to name a few. “Those working in the P-Grade office suites will truly experience a first of its kind in Menlyn with a ‘work-play-live’ lifestyle.”
Zimbali Lakes Resort The 300ha development was launched in November and has been well-received WORDS: CANDICE BOTHA
IMAGES: SUPPLIED
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uwait’s IFA Hotels and Resorts (IFA) unveiled the much-anticipated Zimbali Lakes Resort at an exclusive event in November. Zimbali Lakes Resort will be built over 300ha adjacent to the existing Zimbali Resort and on the other side of the M4 freeway. It will provide in excess of 2,700 residential opportunities to be developed by IFA over the coming decade and boast five main nodes that will provide multigenerational mixed-use offerings to suit the specific needs of a broad range of investors, catering for commercial and residential needs, including a 750-unit retirement lifestyle village. “Zimbali has already set the benchmark for estate living internationally and Zimbali Lakes Resort will undoubtedly deliver on the same success. In line with the brand’s ethos to live in harmony with nature, a significant differentiator for Zimbali Lakes Resort is the magnificent lake and all the unique activities that it will offer to residents,” says Phil De Sylva, senior vice president: operations, IFA. Key to the success of this pet-friendly resort will be the provision of a wide array of amenities, including a new 18hole championship design golf course, sporting facilities and routes to accommodate mountain
bikers, runners or those looking for a stroll. The signature feature from which the resort gets its name is the 30ha lake that will be created adjacent to the Tongaat River, providing recreational water sports opportunities and significantly enhancing the views from surrounding real estate. “IFA has again delivered on its commitment to South Africa by following on with our vision to become one of the leading foreign tourism and property investors in Africa,”
says Werner Burger, CEO, IFA South Africa. “Our country and the regional economy are set to enjoy a further boost by these excellent investments that are being made in Zimbali.” Ballito remains a key area of growth in KwaZulu-Natal and the launch of Zimbali Lakes Resort offers investors even more opportunity in the area. Attendees at the launch were given first dibs on purchasing their preferred sites in an innovative sales strategy which created much excitement and raised R694m.
Cotswold Downs Golf and Lifestyle Estate
WATERFALL