19 MARCH 2017
Neighbourhood PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Seaside retreat Discover the natural beauty that leads so many to call the Bluff home, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: THE BLUFF
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BUSINESS Q&A
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PROPERTY NEWS
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PROPERTY NEWS
19 MARCH 2017
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
The Bluff
MasterChef South Africa winner, Roxi Wardman, tells us about her neighbourhood
WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGES: ANGELIQUE VAN DER HOOGEN, STEPHEN PILBROUGH, GOOGLE & ISTOCK
Living on the Bluff is more about people and family than bright lights
THINGS TO DO: • Visit Treasure Beach: the education centre is not open to the public, but visitors are free to roam the unique grassland, the rocky shore, the coastal forest and wetland area. • Bluff National Park Golf Club: an 18-hole course in a wetland conservation area. • Bluff Nature Reserve (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife): 45ha with a selfguided trail, two bird hides and a pan – a haven for water birds, waders and bird-watchers. • Bluff Eco Park: for picnicking, rustic accommodation and camping/ caravanning, proximity to the beach, coffee shop and venue hire.
ROXI WARDMAN
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here are few tales of Durban’s history that don’t include some anecdotes about the Bluff. For Roxi Wardman, MasterChef South Africa 2014 winner, it’s where she’s lived for 10 years, and has now settled with her husband. “I love the fact that the Bluff is a ‘helping community’. Perhaps because it’s essentially a small suburb. No matter what, everybody is always willing to help each other – there’s something great about that community spirit,” she says. For now, Roxi and her husband have chosen to live in a spacious flatlet on the grounds of her parents-in-law’s home, and they’re making plans to extend it. Even though her restaurant is in Glenwood, the Bluff is home for her. “It’s super central to basically everything, and I have easy access to work or play.”
PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING Unit G04, Old Castle Brewery Bldg 6 Beach Road, Woodstock Cape Town, 087 828 0423
With only one access road in and out of the Bluff, the region’s always been considered a safe haven. There’s a wide range of different properties – from palatial homes with sensational sea views, to small duplexes in affordable gated complexes. Some homes are perched on the highest point on the Bluff – in roads such as Marine Drive, with the sea literally pounding below – while others are closer to the coastline with easy beach access. Roxi lives five minutes from the beach, and that’s where she can most often be found chilling.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS: • Ansteys Beach: the most popular, sociable beach where you’ll find almost everybody. • Garvies Beach: a quiet, less populated stretch of beach. • Brighton Beach and Cave Rock: renowned for great waves.
Just like anybody in the hospitality business, Roxi works on Sundays. “When I get home, it’s time to relax! I love to watch movies or play with my dogs. But if we do want to get out, our new favourite is the revamped Eco Park. Whether you want to rent a bike and do a trail ride, or just have a picnic, it has a great botanical gardens feel.”
ROXI IN A NUTSHELL: • Born in Polokwane in 1988. • I moved around many times, but no matter where we lived, the constant was always food. • Both my parents are really great cooks. My mother’s family is Portuguese, so loads of cooking for family get-togethers. • I grew up watching both my grandparents cook and bake, and I was always licking the bowl. • Since I was tiny, my mom allowed me to go wild in the kitchen, which definitely fuelled my passion for cooking. • I entered MasterChef in the hope it would set me on the career path I dreamed of, and it certainly did! • In May 2016, I opened my own little piece of heaven – Spoonful Eatery, in Glenwood.
ADVERTISING SALES:
EDITORIAL TEAM: Group Editor: Charis Le Riche charisl@yourneighbourhood.co.za Junior Managing Editor: Molly Fitz-Patrick Senior Sub-Editor: Mlungisi Mthembu
Designer: Anja Bramley Group Online Editor: Lauren Joubert Digital assistant: Lauren Daniels
Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423 Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info Advertising: Julie Ellice kzn@yourneighbourhood.co.za Production (Editorial Advertising): Lucea Goosen lucea@yourneighbourhood.co.za
19 MARCH 2017
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
For sale
For rent
Median asking prices
Median monthly asking prices
R1,85m
R10,000
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
R1,96m In a complex
R730,000 For an apartment
79%
R1,79m For a house
R16,500 In a complex
Monthly bond repayments For a typical property in this area.
apartment You’ll pay
R6,080 For an apartment
R19,500 For a house
Property type 15%
house
3
For a typical rental property (three-bedroom house)
Property type
DURBAN CENTRAL ±10KM
6%
complex Based on
64%
32%
house
apartment
over a period of
at
R18,470
R1,85m
20
10,5%
per month
median asking price
years
prime
4%
complex
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ADVERTORIAL
 
19 MARCH 2017
Neighbourhood
The launch of a beautiful brand Claus Peter Jakobsen, MD, Scandinavian Brand House: sole distributor of Pandora Jewellery in South Africa, chats with Neighbourhood about how the Pandora Jewellery brand found a home in South Africa eight years ago
win Stand a chance to win a stunning Pandora Jewellery piece by sharing your start-up business advice with us! Visit the Your Neighbourhood Facebook page (facebook.com/YourNeighbourhoodZA) to find out more.
19 MARCH 2017
Neighbourhood
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andora is an international Danish jewellery manufacturer and retailer founded in 1982 as a family-run jewellery shop in Copenhagen. Claus Peter Jakobsen tells us how the brand charmed its way into South Africans' hearts.
Q: Why did you decide to bring the Danish brand to South Africa? A: Pandora started in May 2009 in South Africa. It was an easy decision as Pandora was one of the most powerful brands within the jewellery sector in the world. To say no to this fabulous brand was never an option. I am proud and amazed by the craftsmanship which goes into each product from Pandora. The product that is “simplest” to make goes through 16 different sets of hands before coming out as a finished product. Pandora is constantly striving to improve the footprint it leaves on this earth and has a very stringent corporate social responsibility policy, which is important to me. Q: Where in South Africa did Pandora first launch? A: For strategic reasons, we launched in Gauteng. But shortly after opening our doors, we were quickly overrun with requests from all over the country. Q: How has South Africa influenced the brand? A: South Africans have taken Pandora in with open arms, and most of our clients today use our beautiful charms to build their own memories. Our bracelets are like a photo album on your wrist, and with the introduction of the Big Five charm we’re offering something truly South African to the world as part of the global collection. Pandora is inspired by all aspects of a woman’s life as well as the elements of nature. In most cases, the real designer is each customer as they create and build their own stories and designs with the charms.
ADVETORIAL ADVERTORIAL
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Q: Where are Pandora shops located? A: We are in most major malls in South Africa and neighbouring countries. We're also located in select Edgars Premium stores. Q: How does a store’s location influence your product offering? A: The beauty of South Africa is that all areas draw in a different market. We offer a carefully selected product range within each location to cater to what the relevant market needs. A Cape Town Pandora store may sell a different range from a Pandora store in Bloemfontein. Assessing the market’s local needs is a necessity for success. Q: Are Pandora shoppers online, or do they prefer a physical store? A: We have never closed a store down in SA, and we see continuous growth each year, but our online store is doing better and better, and continues to surprise us. I believe we need an online presence, but to experience the brand in all its glory, and allow our expertly trained staff to give you a Pandora experience in one of the concept stores, is the best way do it. Q: What advice or insight do you have for other business owners starting out? A: South Africa is a fantastic place to be. Stick to the plan and stay committed to the goals you have set yourselves and then success will be around the corner. Remember, though; South Africa doesn’t have the purchasing power of places like Europe or the US, so be realistic. Create a culture within your organisation where your team are part of the process in building a company that they are proud of.
EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELF: SUSTAINABILITY: Pandora Jewellery 011 706 2377 pandorashop.co.za
• Pandora is continually doing more to reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable behaviours by championing conscious practices across all areas of production – from design, materials and supply chain to, most importantly, happy and healthy people. • Pandora believes in using ethically sourced materials, including environmentally friendly stones, and recycled gold and silver.
CRAFTSMANSHIP: • What characterises Pandora jewellery is excellent design and craftsmanship. Each piece is hand-finished to exacting standards. • With every collection, Pandora refines its innovations and pushes the boundaries of what is technically possible. It’s longlasting jewellery for personal expression and for expressing sentiments.
EMPOWERMENT: • Pandora proudly launches “DO” – a new multifaceted campaign that will inspire women to be true to themselves and what they believe in. • Mentoring young women, pursuing humanitarian work or leading a business, the energetic women introduced in the new campaign embody what DO is all about.
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PROPERTY NEWS
19 MARCH 2017
Neighbourhood
My business neighbourhood Crafting a proudly South African clothing brand for the little ones IMAGES: SUPPLIED
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wner Jaclyn Holmes tells us about her business, Schnooky Pie, which started as a side venture and has become a total hit with locals. Q: How did your business start? A: W hen I was on maternity leave with my first child, I couldn’t find some of the dresses in South Africa that I’d seen online, so I started making them with my mom. I soon left my job to work towards creating my first official range (Summer 2015/2016 Collection) that was 100% designed by myself. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: I live in Hillcrest and work from home in my office/garage space. There is room to store my stock in boxes and I have a desk with my laptop. Being online allows me to reach a greater audience, and I also do a lot of markets in the Durban area. Q: How did you find your premises? A: I’m based in my home, while my online store is run through an
online e-commerce template site called ThreeZee – its head office is based in Station Drive. Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business? A: It’s convenient, I’m able to work from home, not limited to regular business hours and able to reach a greater audience. My suppliers are all over South Africa, so I could literally operate my business from anywhere in the world. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: My neighbours are residential, and being online doesn’t allow me to have any work-wise, but there are a lot of other amazing local brands in South Africa which we should try a little harder to find and support. Q: What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area? A: I’m spending around R2,500 – R3,000 a month on online and marketing fees. Q: How many people go through your store each day? A: I’m able to easily measure my
Double The Comfort
traffic; this varies depending on the time of day, week and month. On average, I have about 20 – 50 people viewing my site a day. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: Yes, my new Autumn/Winter 2017 range will be launching at the end of May, and I’m trying to create designs that are more trendy, local and go up to bigger sizes. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: Yes, my business first started on Facebook and evolved to having its own website. Q: What’s your most popular item? A: My little navy jumpsuits with a coral ice-cream design and coral pompoms. I literally could not make enough of these for the demand.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Schnooky Pie schnookypie.co.za
THE NEW ORDER
WORDS: MEGAN DEANE
Twice The Warmth
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19 MARCH 2017
Neighbourhood
Our vision for this development was to create a lifestyle for emerging entrepreneurs, serious businesspeople who are trying to establish a balanced homework lifestyle, and those individuals who frequent this area and aspire to live within it TERRY ROSENBERG, CHAIRMAN, THE MULTIPLY GROUP
PROPERTY NEWS
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Crystal Lagoons signs first project in South Africa
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ultinational water innovation company Crystal Lagoons has partnered with Balwin Properties for the construction and operation of South Africa’s first Crystal Lagoon. The Blyde at Riverwalk Estate, in Pretoria East, Gauteng – a new R4,2bn residential development from Balwin Properties – will showcase Crystal Lagoons’s unique technology, which is patented in 190 countries and has brought a beach lifestyle to new locations, where swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing can be enjoyed. The Crystal Lagoon
at The Blyde at Riverwalk Estate joins the ranks of over 600 Crystal Lagoons projects – in different stages of development and negotiation worldwide – in over 60 countries. Steve Brookes, CEO, Balwin Properties, says: “We foresee this as the first of at least six lagoons in South Africa combined with the Balwin brand. Balwin developments appeal to couples investing in their first home, retired people looking for safe lock-up-and-go apartments, young families and investors who are attracted by the return on investment that the developments offer.”
Until a few years ago, a basic lease agreement was the last word in the tenant-landlord relationship and common clauses included standard annual increases and a seven days’ notice with material breach to terminate, but this is no longer the case. The once-straightforward contract has become more complex with a raft of legislative amendments to the Rental Housing, Consumer Protection and National Credit Acts that now impact almost every aspect of the rental arena. LEW GEFFEN, CHAIRMAN, LEW GEFFEN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
A move towards mixed-use spaces
New development for Umhlanga’s Ridgeside Umhlanga Arch: an exciting residential offering WORDS: CANDICE BOTHA
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
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urban has seen a range of new developments in recent months, but one of the most innovative is the Umhlanga Arch launched recently. A mixed-use development, the building boasts residential apartments, a 200-bed hotel, retail space and leisure facilities including restaurants, and a rooftop swimming pool and bar, offering owners the opportunity to live, work and play all in one place. “Expect the likes of a concierge service that will handle your laundry and deliver your groceries, a high-tech business centre to host meetings, a well-recognised gym, top-end retail stores, a leading car dealership and a premium four-star hotel,” says Terry Rosenberg, chairman, The Multiply Group (the developers). “Umhlanga Arch is going to be a place where you can live a full, productive day without having to venture from your address. Our vision for this development
was to create a lifestyle for emerging entrepreneurs, serious businesspeople who are trying to establish a balanced home-work lifestyle, and those individuals who frequent this area and aspire to live within it.” Umhlanga Arch offers 162 two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, including penthouses, as well as 30 loft apartments. Equipped with the latest technology, apartments at Umhlanga Arch will be “smart ready”, ensuring that security, temperature and lighting can be controlled remotely from any smart device. Situated in the prime location of Ridgeside, residents will live within walking distance of Gateway Theatre of Shopping and the Umhlanga Village and enjoy unparalleled views up and down the coast. The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Tongaat Hullet Group with the aim of creating jobs
through the company’s SocioEconomic, Sustainability and Innovation Programme (SSIP). “We’ve made the decision to support and holistically integrate Tongaat Hulett’s SSIP into all pre- and postconstruction and socioeconomic related activities stemming from this progressive development,” says Rosenberg. “We look forward to seeing the local communities benefit for many years to come, not only through the immediate construction opportunities that exist, but in the postconstruction phase too, where retail, hospitality, open space management, security and many opportunities will become available in time.”
The residential apartments are 80% sold. Construction will begin at the end of 2017 and is expected to be completed by mid-2020.
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ccording to South African Property Owners Association’s (SAPOA) 2016 Q4 Office Vacancy Report, the office sector is still firmly entrenched in its recovery phase although this is becoming increasingly fragile as a result of the sector’s macro drivers. Sandton has lost a significant number of big office tenants over the last year and office rental vacancies have surged to 11,9%. Additionally, the number of new speculative developments in Sandton continues to increase sharply adding to the amount of unlet prime space. Commercial and industrial property consultancy, Jones Lang LaSalle South Africa (JLL), pins the current Sandton office supply to 1,5 million square metres. After the completion of all construction developments, JLL anticipates Sandton’s office supply to increase to
1,9 million square metres, which will be over the next three to four years. Hassan Shaikh, founder, Revolve: a specialist corporate and retail interior design strategy agency, says some vacancies are as a result of muted employment growth or the building’s aesthetics or its location and access, while others relate to cost, which is probably the most relevant. He predicts the rise in office space vacancies will not play out well for landlords. Shaikh says moving forward the smart money will go into repurposing or redeveloping redundant office parks or buildings in decentralised nodes. “We are sitting on a goldmine in Bryanston, for example. Access and security are good and there is a complementary mix of residential, retail and office development to support mixed-use developments.”
Strong income return potential fuels demand for Oceans Hotel Apartments in Umhlanga
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hirty-two of the 38 one- and two-bedroom sectional title apartments and penthouses in the new Oceans Hotel Apartments above the five-star Radisson Blu Hotel in Umhlanga on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast have already sold, says Carol Reynolds, area principal, Pam Golding Properties Durban Coastal. “This development is selling so well because of its prestige and prime position, with award-winning architecture and a highly appealing mixed-use concept with designer retailers on tap, a medical centre and even a snow park right on the
doorstep. And what really clinched the deal for investors are the excellent projected returns.” Other features in the development include full management and furnishing packages which are available to buyers, flexible letting to allow owners personal use of the apartment in-between holiday lets, a panoramic lift for exclusive use by residents, entertainment terrace, swimming pool, spa, fully equipped gym and a business centre. The completion date for Oceans Hotel Apartments is towards the end of 2018.
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