Neighbourhood 26 AUGUST 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Cool class
The holiday feel, pleasant climate, great schools, and arts festival, are all part of the attractive Hilton mix, page 2 2
SUBURB FOCUS: HILTON
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Hilton IMAGES: STEPHEN PILBROUGH, PEPPERMINTPIX FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY
I enjoy life in Hilton because of its village character… and I love the climate
& GOOGLE MAPS
PAM BUYS, RESIDENT
Here’s what’s happening in property in the area WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
H
ilton was to Pietermaritzburg, what Kloof was to Durban – a well-elevated nearby location chosen by the well-heeled to escape the heat and dust of town… an elite little cluster of holiday or weekender cottages. But Hilton’s history goes beyond that, as told delightfully in The Story of Hilton Road Village (J Hoepfl and C & M Lake). The town owes its name to Jane, wife of farmer and financier Joseph Henderson, who, in 1860, called their farm Hilton, presumably after Hilton Park in Staffordshire in England. The Zulu word for Hilton is Nyazake, which means “his feet”, derived from the old Zulu war trails connecting the Drakensberg to Kranskop, where Hilton farm is today. Although Hilton’s particularly famed for its superb schooling, it’s also lauded for the Hilton Arts Festival which takes place over three days, this year from 14 to 16 September. It began in 1993 as a mini Grahamstown Arts Festival, but today, it stands firmly on its own two feet, still in the exquisite grounds and buildings of Hilton College. Local, national, and even international artists, actors
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and musicians, have performed here and, aside from the lively, artistic vibe it brings to Hilton, it showcases so much that is wonderful about the South African arts. Hilton is packed to capacity over that long weekend.
Property The charm of misty Hilton is not only its elevated position on the crest of the hill, but its cooler climes is conducive to a country village look. Drive through town and sneak a peek at sensational gardens of flowers and veggies (hence the fresh produce market) and revel in the conservancy-type philosophy. Hilton residents choose to live here for its sense of community, wonderful climate and plentiful natural surrounds in which to explore and enjoy outdoor pursuits. This is the land of glorious rose gardens and oversized hydrangeas, a little slice of old England in Africa, and the exquisite valley of Winterskloof with its indigenous bush. Hilton has a predominance of freestanding properties, but
like everywhere else, sectionaltitle units and gated estates are now part of the mix. Excellent residential developments such as Garlington Estate and The Gates at Hilton are immensely popular, as are retirement villages like Golden Pond Retirement Village. For many parents of the elite private boarding schools, accommodation is a priority on weekends and for special school events, so bed and breakfast establishments, Airbnbs, farm cottages and more, are often fully booked… if not rented for the entire year. Clive Carter, soon to be Hilton resident, says, “I’ve been waiting until retirement to leave Pietermaritzburg and live in Hilton, and I have five months to go! We’re both avid gardeners and birders, so this will be heaven for us – we’ve bought a townhouse with a perfectly-sized garden.”
Schooling Hilton and surrounds are home to a number of KwaZulu-Natal’s most prestigious private boarding
schools, namely the age-old Hilton College, Michaelhouse and St Anne’s Diocesan College for Girls. There are more, though, like Cowan House, or newer ones, like Grace College, or Laddsworth Primary School. The agricultural colleges of Weston Agricultural College and Cedara College of Agriculture are up here in the Midlands, and in Pietermaritzburg, very well-respected schools like Maritzburg College and Cordwalles Preparatory School for Boys complete the picture. Parent Suzie Grange says, “Our sons are at school in Hilton, so we travel here to watch sports matches and attend various events. The school grounds and surrounds are absolutely exquisite, and we love staying in the village.”
Explore Hilton is considered the neargateway to the Midlands Meander, but near or not, it’s very close to many Meander hotspots. In addition, Hilton is part of The Saunter, an arts and crafts route from Durban
to Hilton, and you can pop into gems like family-run The Graceland Cheesery, home of Graceland Natural Dairy Products, where Bill and Karen Frost produce artisanal handmade cheeses, and additive- and preservative-free natural yogurts. New to their armoury is The Shoppe, where you’ll find all their delectable edibles, plus a whole lot more. Birders are on the doorstep of the Midlands Birding route, and mountain bikers can enjoy the trails near Hilton Life Hospital, or in nearby Howick. There are hiking trails in the Umngeni Valley Nature Reserve (WESSA), and the 3ha Doreen Clarke Nature Reserve is ideal for picnics, a one- to twohour trail, children and the elderly. Resident Pam Knight says, “I’ve lived in and around the Midlands for many, many years, and I love Hilton and its mists, roaring fires in winter, piles of autumn leaves, and the beautiful tracks and trails for walking and cycling.” And if you prefer to wander with a driving purpose, two golf clubs are a stone’s throw away: The Victoria Country Club course (4,2km), and the Sakabula Golf course (7,2km).
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26 AUGUST 2018
Neighbourhood
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PROPERTY NEWS
SLEEP: • • • • •
Protea Hotel Hilton Hilton Bush Lodge Tracey’s B&B Hilton Haven Bed and Breakfast Gateside Guesthouse
SHOP: • • • •
The Quarry Centre Rotunda Farm Stall Tasha’s Fantastic Fudge Cannon’s Auctioneers
PROTEA HILTON HOTEL
JAXX RESTAURANT
EAT: • Jaxx Restaurant: quality dining at The Quarry Centre • La Popote: country “bistro” on the outskirts of Hilton Village • Taste of Thai: authentic Thai cuisine • The School Outlet: a relaxed, daytime eatery by chef Jackie Cameron and past student Kate Cousins • Artisan Pizzeria: true artisanal pizza experience • Ground Coffee House: coffee house and roastery THE QUARRY CENTRE
JACKIE CAMERON SCHOOL OF FOOD & WINE
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For sale
For rent
Median asking price:
Median asking price:
R2,25m
R9,500
Monthly bond repayments
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
For a typical property in this area
R2,2m
R1,95m
R2,35m
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
You’ll pay
R21,173
For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
R8,250
R4,500
R8,750
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
per month
Property type:
88%
Property type:
house
Based on
3%
apartment
9%
complex
59% house
R2,25m
24%
median asking price
over a period of 20 years at 10% prime
apartment
17% complex
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PROPERTY NEWS
26 AUGUST 2018
Neighbourhood
C business
My neighbourhood The Slime Workshop is all about fun while promoting skills and enhancing focus WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
reating meaningful memories is the very essence of life. Having to merge fun and play with family time is the best way to create them. Three generations of women, led by Dolly Reddy, focused on family first and established The Slime Workshop as a way to simply spend more time together. Q: How did your business start? A: I’m so fortunate to be able to run this business with my daughter, Ramona, and granddaughters, Macy, Lyla and Meka. The Slime Workshop is about getting back to basics and using our minds and bodies to engage in messy play. We wanted to create a place where children could make, play with and design slime using only essential products. We opened The Slime Workshop in December last year. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: We operate from the Astor House bed and breakfast in Durban North which is ideal in terms of location. It’s in the middle of a lovely, well-established community. Q: How did you find your premises? A: My daughter, Ramona, manages the Astor House which is the perfect space to run a workshop, including the look and feel of a family-friendly environment that we were looking for. Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business? A: Our business is focused on children and parents. The environment lends itself well to a secure familyfriendly venue, that has ample space for parents to wait and relax in the beautiful gardens while children are taken on a sensory adventure at the workshop.
Q: Who are your neighbours? A: Our neighbours are predominantly residential and small boutique shops and restaurants. Q: What are the shop rental/sales prices like in this area? A: Rental in Durban North is more scaled to the upmarket real-estate area. Our rental is conducive to our working space, environment and facilities. Q: How many people go through your space each day? A: We're open throughout the week for parties and school excursions. Our busiest times are on weekends when we see between 60 to 80 people. Q: Do you have any expansion plans? A: Yes. We're very in touch with the wants and needs of our clientele and plan on being mobile to different areas and provinces, as well as looking into franchising or licensing opportunities. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: You can book workshops, parties and order our products online through our website. We’re also on Facebook (@theslimeworkshop) and Instagram (@theslimeworkshops). Q: What’s your most popular service? A: Our workshops and school excursions are definitely popular as it is an experience of a sensory journey.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: The Slime Workshop 073 493 6153 slimeworkshop.co.za
19880
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PROPERTY NEWS
26 AUGUST 2018
Neighbourhood
Eco-friendly estate in Umhlanga
K
indlewood Estate in Mount Edgecombe on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast is designed to meet the needs of all lifestyles and ages – from firsttime buyers to retired couples. The estate has incorporated sustainable design features such as grey-water harvesting and solar energy and offers walking paths and wetland areas with indigenous flora and fauna. Leisure facilities include a lap pool, tennis court and children’s play area. The development has electrified perimeter fencing, camera surveillance and permanent gate monitoring.
“In just more than a decade, Kindlewood has grown into an inviting, environmentally friendly estate which has homes and facilities suited to every phase of life,” says Mondli Msani, development manager, Tongaat Hulett Developments. The estate comprises Norfolk Valley, The Links, Kindlewood Crest, The Kindles, Kariwood, Edenwood, The Wolds and the newly launched Mount Edgecombe Retirement Village. The estate is close to Umhlanga Ridge, the Gateway Theatre of Shopping and other evolving retail facilities, becoming a residential location of choice for many people working within the greater Umhlanga area.
Your home may well be your most valuable asset and your insurance is what looks after that asset. Always look at getting professional advice and assistance in choosing your insurance when securing your home through a financial services institute. MIKE GREEFF, CEO, GREEFF CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
The demand for student housing
A
ccording to StudentatHome, Cape Town has seen a stream of national and international students coming into the city to further their education at tertiary institutes. This has caused a high demand for student lodging, especially for the private accommodation sector, due to universities and colleges not being able to accommodate all the students. There is an influx of student developments in the city seeing property developers rapidly responding to the needs of the market. “There is not only a South African demand; there is a worldwide need for quality student accommodation,” explains Emily Whitefield, CEO, StudentAtHome. “Private student accommodation is a growing property opportunity in South Africa, with over 30,000
students currently studying in the city centre,” says Whitefield. “There is significant evidence within the current situation that the private sector will become progressively more involved in student housing, as it isn’t only viable, but are among the most attractive investments one can currently make in South Africa,” says Cédric Le Bon, sales manager and senior broker, Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate. The CBD, in particular, has seen a boom for all types of accommodation, but students will see high rent rates due to the general high standard of living. “Another big factor which has increased the rental and sales prices in the CBD has been the profitability of short-term holiday rentals which has in effect created a shortage of available apartments for long-term rentals, including student accommodation,” Le Bon explains.
Current property market in Randburg
E
loise de Stefanis, residential sales director, Seeff Randburg, says even though the year started off with positive predictions, the marketplace has been slow. “The market in Randburg changed rapidly from a seller’s market at the end of 2017 to a full-blown buyer’s market at present. Even though stock levels were low at the beginning of the year, we are now experiencing a more stable market with reasonable stock levels. Buyers, however, show a reduced appetite for commitment.” De Stefanis ascribes this to the political climate in the past few months followed by a tough and challenging climate in the property industry as a whole. “The average price band of properties advertised in the Randburg trading area is currently at around R1,8m,
while the average sales price for 2018 is R1,5m. The most important factor for sellers remains to price their properties correctly from the start. The banks’ lending criteria is favourable for firsttime buyers and we are regularly getting 100% bonds approved in Randburg. This is stimulating the property market and allowing sales to continue.” De Stefanis concludes that the next six months will probably show a slow, but positive growth in the Randburg area. “While we don’t expect a fun fare, we are confident that professional agents have the opportunity to grow their market share and add value to serious sellers and buyers. The political climate has cooled down and regardless of what surprises lie ahead, we expect an uptick in business and higher levels of consumer confidence to spill over to the property market.”
Too hot to handle
How to prevent and what to do in the case of a kitchen fire WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
A
fire can happen in any part of the house. But most fires happen in the kitchen, and according to global stats, 33% of them are sparked by unattended cooking. How to act depends on what kind of fire and where it is. Advocate Johan Jonck of Arrive Alive suggests each household pays close attention to the do’s and don’ts – compliance is often easy and inexpensive, “We gathered safety information from both ER24 and the emergency services on how to protect ourselves, and urge South Africans to take note.”
Proactive and preventative Sometimes, the best way to stop a fire is to take preventative measures in your home before they happen. • Install smoke detectors or alarms: these are surprisingly inexpensive, but be sure to check the batteries regularly. • Have portable fire extinguishers installed near “danger” spots, familiarise yourself with their usage and write the expiry date on them. They don’t last forever, so replace them when necessary. Alternatively, have a regular appointment with a professional company to check up for you.
• Keep a fire blanket near danger spots. They deprive a fire of oxygen by smothering it. They’re made from fire-resistant materials, such as wool or fibreglass, and may also be chemically treated to increase fire resistance. It can be used to dampen fires and to extinguish a fire on a person or their clothing. • Make sure to keep a Burnshield product in your medical kit (five-year lifespan). You need to treat a burn as soon as possible. Cara Garnitz of Burnshield, considered internationally as the go-to emergency treatment, says, “A burn needs immediate attention. Firstly, to cool and soothe it, and secondly, to rehydrate the area to aid recovery. Burnshield does both.” • Post emergency numbers in a prominent place or on every family member’s cellphone.
Extinguish a kitchen fire
Of all fires, this one needs swift action to prevent escalation. Here’s what to do when you have a fire in your kitchen. • In the oven or microwave: close the door or keep it closed, and turn it off. Don’t open it. The lack of oxygen suffocates the flames. • If your oven continues to smoke
as if the fire is still active, call the fire department. • In a cooking pan: use an oven mitt to clap on the lid to deprive it of oxygen, then move the pan off the burner, and turn off the stove. • If you can’t safely put on the lid or don’t have one, use your fire extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fire or above the flames, not the flames themselves. • You can also throw baking soda or salt on it. Not flour, which can explode or make the fire worse. • Another option is to smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth. If you have a fire blanket, use it.
Cooking with gas
All gas installations must have a certificate of conformity, which states that the installation has been inspected and deemed to be safe and leak free. The document needs to be issued by an authorised person registered with the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Safety Association of Southern Africa (LPGAS). The onus is on the homeowner to have this certificate. This applies to gas braai installations as much as a gas stove.
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three bedroom, en-suite apartments, Prices from R7,9m
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Come and view our luxury apartment 12733, OSBORN RD
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HOUGHTON GOLF CLUB
2ND A VE
Available daily for viewings WARREN BECKER 082 302 3004 | warren@thehoughton.com ASHLEIGH SMITH 073 220 7357 | ashleigh@thehoughton.com Houghton on 12th, 53 Second Ave, Houghton | Show apartment 12733