Neighbourhood 21 OCTOBER 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Modern-day oasis The neighbourly folk of Umdloti genuinely cares about conserving their lovely surroundings, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: UMDLOTI
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21 OCTOBER 2018
Neighbourhood
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Umdloti Architect Joy Brasler calls Umdloti on the KZN North Coast, home WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGES: SUPPLIED, STEPHEN PILBROUGH & GOOGLE MAPS *Map not to scale
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oy, her husband and their two teenagers moved to Umdloti from Berea about two years ago. “We were in search of some control over our environment and the ideal of a ‘simpler’ life,” says Joy. They grow their own herbs and vegetables in a caged courtyard (for the monkeys), regularly collect mussels, and the boys fish from kayaks. The grandparents live 400m down the road, a mere bike ride for the children. Joy describes Umdloti as “a village from another time. My husband rides his scooter to the beach (mussel bag in the footwell, plus kikoi), collects mussels, swims, and breakfasts at Foam – all before work”. On perfect days, Umdloti beach is hard to beat, the rocks and tidal pools make for a generally benign sea. On summer evenings, the community collects on South Beach for sundowners. “There’s a kind of intimacy in this village, not sure if it’s the constrained size of the footprint, or the type of people who choose Umdloti as their home – you just know there is common ground. There are people who are passionate about the preservation of the conservancy on South Beach, the forest, and the way of life – sort of an oldfashioned idea of ‘neighbourhood’ and the values you would find there, and a genuine concern for the common good.”
Home sweet home
Joy was the architect of course. “Preserving this sense of privacy and expanse was critical to the design. It’s a single-story home which takes advantage of the elevated views,
1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga roads Milnerton, Cape Town
made structure in sight. You can happily walk your dogs and swim in the lagoon.”
“We’re set back on the site with a pool which projects forward into an indigenous garden and maintains maximum sight lines of the sea and 100-year-old milkwood trees below. We focussed on limiting our environmental footprint, so the home is a series of pitched roofs interspersed with planted roofs – a kind of collection of agricultural ‘sheds’ set in a rural setting.” Hardscaping is minimal, rainwater is collected for irrigation.
Joy enthuses about Farm to Fork Deli & Butchery. “It’s a tiny little bit of what we wish there could generally be more of in the neighbourhood – sustainably sourced meat, fish and veggies and the loveliest chap who provides really helpful advice when you need pig’s trotters to make ramen. We’re hoping (and working towards) making more of this possible with the development of Node 5 Sibaya,” Joy says.
The house is a delight to entertain in, with an open-plan kitchen (which Joy’s husband commands with some skill) and a living room. “We typically use the courtyard and rear pool which is reliably pleasant under a forest of red-stem corkwood (commiphora harveyi), and has views through the living area onto the sea and pool. “I value the complete sense of privacy, and the endless pageant that is the sea and the setting sun over the frilly casuarinas at the rear of the courtyard.” Her favourite space? “Perhaps it would be my discrete yoga studio, separate from the house. Doing yoga here with my group is truly inspiring and a source of enormous gratitude.”
Gems in the neighbourhood
Joy’s home is on Bellamont Road – high above Umdloti’s north side – one of the limited number of double sites with a no-build servitude in front of it, and 180º views of D’Moss, the sea, and forest behind.
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without seeing into neighbouring properties. Dealing with prevailing sea breezes is always an issue living at the sea, so we built the entire home to open on to a central courtyard, which can then be opened entirely forwards on a perfect day,” she explains.
The family loves walking through the rear of Bellamont Road. “You pop out through the forest and into big open sugar cane, then down to the lagoon. Walking from Umdloti to Umhlanga at spring low tide is also pretty special – generally not another human or man-
Tongaat-Hulett allows cycling through the cane lands to the rear of Bellamont Road, or a bit further afield, there’s Hola Trails.
“We love all the restaurants – it’s pretty special in the context of the whole of Durban to be sitting overlooking the sea: at Tasca and Sandbar you can literally sit on the pavement with a great pizza and a 2M beer and watch the sun go down. We treat La Casa Nostra like our own kitchen – they do takeaways, or we sit on their front terrace under an umbrella; always delicious Italian fare. Bel Punto is great for an occasion – the food is superb and they do lovely wine tastings.” Apparently, there’s a really amazing mussel bed… but Joy’s keeping it under wraps!
Perfect Sunday “In summer, we love an early trip to the beach for a swim, coffee and a pastei de nata at Foam overlooking the tidal pool. Thereafter, it’s home to deal with the detritus of boarding school life (and teenagers), and preparations for lunch – picking produce from our garden or Farm to Fork – then cooking, spending a long lazy afternoon in the courtyard with friends, wine, music and chats, with the house completely open, kids in the pool, on the trampoline, or on the astro playing basketball; lighting a fire with the doors all open (just because we can), and settling in for a movie in preparation for an early start on Monday.
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Neighbourhood
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PROPERTY NEWS
EAT: • Tasca Pizza: thin-based pizzas, pastas, tapas and light meals • Sandbar Restaurant & Cocktails: delicious food, wine, cocktails and craft beer • La Casa Nostra: a little piece of Italy in Umdloti since 1996 • Bel Punto: stylish dining inside and out with excellent views • Mundo Vida: seafood and bistro fair with 180º views • Foam: good food, good coffee and a great view
SHOP: • Nickel • Farm to Fork Deli and Butchery • Gateway Theatre of Shopping
TO DO: • • • • •
Whale and dolphin watching Safe swimming in the tidal pool Fishing Surfing Cycling
For sale
For rent
Median asking price:
Median asking price:
R3,195m
R12,000
Monthly bond repayments
For a typical property (three-bedroom apartment)
For a typical property in this area
R2,895m
R2,895m
R7,995m
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
You’ll pay
R30,832
For a typical property (two-bedroom apartment)
R12,250
R13,000
R28,000
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
per month
Property type:
18% house
Based on
77%
apartment
5%
complex
Property type:
8% house
R3,195m
86%
median asking price
over a period of 20 years at 10% prime
apartment
6%
complex
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PROPERTY NEWS
21 OCTOBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Living green for the next generation Despite the flustering of various world leaders, scientific evidence shows global warming is the reality of modern living. Finding individual ways for counterbalancing our environmental footprint has become an imperative. WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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hether it’s the electricity and petrol prices rising beyond inflation, or a deeper understanding of why the ice caps in Antarctica are shrinking, the desire to reduce our carbon footprint by incorporating green living extends way ahead of a simple fad.
transfer costs, but once paid off, becomes a free, green-friendly energy source into the home. Its applications include solar geysers and solar panels for more extensive energy consumption. “We aim to make solar power affordable for everyone,” Murphy says.
water resources. Essentially, installing a water-harvesting system provides a free and unlimited water supply, saves water by ensuring rainwater does not run into the gutters and out to sea, reduces personal water bills, and can be potable if properly filtered.
Between heating and cooling the house, putting petrol into the family car and simply living in a modern world, energy costs account for a significant percentage of the household budget. Yet, there are ways for reducing those costs and being a more responsible global citizen.
Rainwater harvesting
South Africa is recognised among the world’s most water scarce countries and the recent closeness Cape Town and the broader Winelands area came to Day Zero, has been an eye-opener.
Green flooring
Solar installations
Regardless of whether your intention is to exist wholly off grid or to supplement the household energy consumption by harvesting the sun’s natural energy, solar power provides an enduring means for living green. According to online eco-store sustainable.co.za MD Zeke Murphy, the initial investment of solar power is often sufficiently high to scare off potential buyers, but in reality the payback period and the subsequent rewards make solar power affordable to most home and business owners. Solar power has initial set-up and
The solution adopted by numerous South Africans has been water harvesting, specifically rainwater tanks that ensure there is no wasted water. While harvested rainwater is not always potable, it can be used for the garden and, with adaptations to the plumbing system, become a potential grey-water system. JoJo Tanks MD Grant Neser says the company’s rainwater-harvesting system consists of a tank that accumulates rainwater. It requires installing a prefiltration solution, as well as suitable guttering and piping to transport the rainwater to the tank, but the outcome is self-sufficiency and the convenience of not being dependent on regulated
Wooden floors are beautiful, particularly the old-fashioned intricacies involved in parquet. However, wooden flooring may not be the most environmentally friendly option depending on the sustainability of the chosen wood. Bamboo is a natural vegetation with the plant being a highly renewable resource that grows to maturity within three to five years. This is substantially faster than hardwood trees that can take up to 20 years to reach maturity – and, given its ability to seamlessly elevate space, it has the benefit of allowing for individualism to take centre stage. There are numerous ways for reducing your carbon footprint and making a contribution to living a greener lifestyle. Many of the options are low-tech, common-sense decisions, while others are more expensive and high-tech, but the bottom line is the same – becoming a more environmentally friendly citizen.
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2018/10/17 10:27:38 AM
21 OCTOBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Sibaya sees excellent sales The Sibaya Coastal Precinct has firmly entrenched itself as the most sought-after node in South Africa WORDS: CANDICE BOTHA
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
PROPERTY NEWS
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ust north of Durban, between Umdloti and Umhlanga, the Sibaya Coastal precinct has seen R3.2bn in sales in 18 months, outperforming areas such as Sandton in Joburg and the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town to become the country’s fastest-selling residential node. It has seen 299 transfers between July last year and June this year, compared to popular areas such as Umhlanga, which saw 272 sales, and Umdloti, with 111 sales. Those who have invested in earlier developments within the precinct, namely in node 1, have already seen as much as 30% capital appreciation from securing a unit to subsequent transfer. The market demand within the Sibaya Coastal Precinct is changing, though. Node 1 developments were configured around the investor market, but node 5 is now answering the demands of a primary residential market. One such development in node 5 is The Saxony Sibaya. “On completion, the Sibaya Coastal Precinct will have approximately 12,000 residential dwellings across freestanding homes, apartments, penthouses and retirement units,” says Rajan Naidoo, CEO, Saxony Developments. “Node 1 of the precinct attracted predominantly investment buyers, while node 5, where The Saxony Sibaya is situated, has been configured around a primarily
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residential market, where space and liveability is the key consideration.” With drive-up access, it presents 100 luxury apartments, consisting of twoand three-bedroom apartments, as well as exquisite three- and four-bedroom penthouses starting from R3,85m. The Saxony Sibaya has a variety of facilities including a Salaah facility, clubhouse and domestic quarters. Although geared around the primary residential market, The Saxony Sibaya still attracts those with an investment appetite. “Comparably, our two-bedroom apartments are 128m² to 143m² in size, starting from R30,078p/m², whereas a typical investment development in node 1 for a two-bedroom apartment is 83m² to 120m² in size and starts from R31,200p/m²,” says Naidoo. “The Saxony Sibaya presents an investment opportunity for residential purchasers.” The Sibaya Coastal Precinct will have a lot to offer residents with a retail piazza, private school, sports complex and access to the beach road, among others, through the managed coastal forest belt.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: The Saxony Sibaya thesaxonysibaya.co.za
20964
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PROPERTY NEWS
21 OCTOBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Good news for Capetonian tenants
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ome minor relief is in store for Capetonian tenants as they wait with bated breath for the annual inflationary rent increase, says Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO, RE/MAX of Southern Africa. “Following an onslaught on their disposable income over the last few months, city dwellers can strike one worry off the list with the knowledge that this year’s annual rent increase will be nowhere near the 8% to 10% that they may have experienced in previous years,” says Goslett. Michael Hauser, estate agent, RE/MAX Living, says the past nine to 10 months have been challenging for landlords who’ve been used to a cut-throat rental market yielding high returns and an unending supply of tenants. “The Cape rental market has seen its first major price correction since 2008. Rental amounts often had to be advertised at 20% to 30% below the previous year’s rental amount.
This is owing to an oversupply of rental properties currently on the market, but equally so to the drought which has caused many Airbnb flats to go up for long-term rentals as they could not be let owing to a lack of visitors in Cape Town,” Hauser explains. As great news as this is for tenants, landlords will see this as a bitter pill to swallow. They might be tempted to push up their rentals to make ends meet. Hauser, however, discourages landlords from making this decision as it will likely result in hurting their pocket instead of helping it. “I would recommend that landlords look after reliable tenants and not increase the rental price for the coming year. Since it’s unlikely for the market to change drastically until after the elections next year, landlords should bite the bullet and keep rentals constant to hold onto their tenants until the market takes another upward curve,” Hauser advises.
Whether you’re choosing a property as a primary dwelling, holiday home, or as an investment, conducting research into the amenities in close proximity to the property is a must GREG BROWN, DIRECTOR, LEXISNEXIS SOUTH AFRICA
Massive upgrade to Boksburg Lake underway
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orobrik’s clay paver and face brick range was selected for the monumental Boksburg Lake upgrade which aims to restore the lake to its former glory. The massive upgrade by the City of Ekurhuleni, budgeted at R12,5m, involves extensive construction and repairs to the site with the aim of restoring this central feature, thereby promoting local tourism and increasing the region’s value. Musa Shangase, commercial director, Corobrik, said the inclusion of the clay pavers and face brick in this historic upgrade was significant as the bricks’ longevity would ensure no restoration would be needed for many years to come. “The durable nature of clay, which is kiln-fired, means that it can withstand constant weathering,” said Shangase.
“For public walkways, such as those at Boksburg Lake, it’s important to ensure pedestrians are kept safe, even in wet weather conditions. The skid-resistant nature of the clay pavers makes them a responsible choice.” He says the face brick chosen blends well with the paver range, and also require no further maintenance. “Because the face brick doesn’t need to be plastered and painted, the city saves on further costs related to upkeep.” The dam, which was built in the late 1800s, has been a popular feature in the former mining town of Boksburg. Although the lake hasn’t been in peak condition for a few years, the upgrade is set to revitalise the area, offering residents several recreational options. These include an outdoor play area and gym, climbing wall and soccer field.
SA auction industry happy with Mboweni appointment
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fter watching the reaction of business and currency to the appointment of South Africa’s new finance minister, Tito Mboweni, it’s clear that the new incumbent has received the stamp of approval from local business, and international business confidence should show similar indications soon. That’s according to Joff van Reenen, public relations director, South African Institute of Auctioneers and lead auctioneer and director of the country’s premier property auction house, High Street Auctions. “Both local and international business is likely to be almost as accepting of the new finance minister as they were of the rock-steady Pravin Gordhan. Having Mboweni in the finance hot-seat and Gordhan at the helm of state enterprises
– the very organisations that were the main targets of the state capture plot – will go a long way towards calming jitters over the next few months and turning off the floodgates of capital outflow,” Van Reenen continues. “The auction industry leads a fairly charmed life in that it’s less affected by overt changes in business sentiment either way, because our services are equally in demand in prosperous and tumultuous periods, but we certainly won’t complain about more money coming into circulation. This is equally true for the property industry, because capital inflow promotes business growth and therefore fuels the necessary associated infrastructure demands such as commercial and industrial real estate,” Van Reenen concludes.
My business neighbourhood A bespoke tailor in Umhlanga is continuing the legacy of the trade he learnt from this father and grandfather before him WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY IMAGE: SUPPLIED
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custom-made suit was once exclusively reserved for wealthy businessmen. However, in recent times the allure of a bespoke suit has increased, as more and more men want to showcase their own personal style. Kuben Narainsamy, owner of KNS Tailors in Umhlanga, tells us more. Q: How did your business start? A: I am a third-generation tailor, following on from my grandfather, Ellen Narainsamy, and my father, Mike Narainsamy. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had firsthand training from my dad, from the age of 14. I shared the same passion, so in 2016, I decided to forge ahead on my own and established KNS Tailors. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: The shop operates from Zenith Drive in Umhlanga and it’s the perfect spot because there’s always a hive of activity. Q: How did you find your premises? A: It took me a year to find my dream property and when I did, I sought the help of Pam Golding who assisted me with getting the property. Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business? A: Umhlanga is developing rapidly and is within walking distance of The Gateway Theatre of Shopping, so my clientele usually emanates from there. It’s the business hub in Durban and also attracts a ton of tourists.
Q: Who are your neighbours? A: Gateway Theatre of Shopping, various hair salons and restaurants. Q: What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area? A: Market-related for the area. Q: How many people go through your store each day? A: We work by appointment, so typically we see about five clients a day and then about five for other services offered like alterations and dry-cleaning. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: Yes, definitely. I hope to open branches in Joburg and Cape Town as I do currently have clients who travel from those areas to see me. I also anticipate starting a casualwear line. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: I have an active website and Facebook page (@knstailors) and am planning on opening an online store soon. Q: What’s your most popular item? A: Customised suits, made to a client’s specifications. We also offer a holistic old-school tailoring experience which clients love.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: KNS Tailors 082 419 0060 knstailors.com
msp.property 087 802 9005 sales@msp.property
AT THE HOUGHTON, EVERYONE HAS A VIEW... « of the skyline from Northcliff to OR Tambo International « of the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course « about the fantastic investment opportunity with real returns « about enjoying electricity and water back-up 24/7 « about residing in a five-star environment with its own top-class, luxurious hotel « on the peace of mind that comes with living in a secure, tranquil oasis
THE HOUGHTON HOTEL IS JUST ABOUT COMPLETE. J O I N U S I N W AT C H I N G T H E F I N I S H I N G T O U C H E S B E I N G A D D E D . I T S C A P T I VAT I N G .
OSBORN RD
M1
HOUGHTON GOLF CLUB
2ND AVE
Luxury apartment 8555, is open for daily viewings. A limited number of apartments are still available. WARREN BECKER 082 302 3004 | warren@thehoughton.com ASHLEIGH SMITH 073 220 7357 | ashleigh@thehoughton.com Gate 2, 53 Second Ave, Houghton | Show apartment 8555